A Complete Guide to the Different Types of Mead (Mead Glossary)
If you have ever wondered what the different types of mead are, you are not alone. As mead enjoys a well-deserved revival, more people are discovering just how varied and versatile this ancient honey drink can be. From fruit-infused melomels to warming spiced metheglins, there is a whole world of flavour hidden within that simple combination of honey, water and yeast.
In this guide, we explore the main mead types and explain what makes each one unique. Whether you are new to mead or already a fan, this glossary will help you understand and appreciate the full range of what mead can offer.
What is Traditional Mead?
Traditional mead is the purest form of mead in that it is made simply from honey, water and yeast, and it is the base from which all other mead styles have developed. The flavour depends on the type of honey used, from light and floral to dark and toasty. It can be dry, semi-sweet or sweet, still or sparkling. Traditional mead allows you to taste the true essence of honey itself.
The name 'Traditional Mead' sounds as though this is the style of mead that has been around for thousands of years, but the classic sweet style 'traditional' mead is a relatively recently interpretation (perhaps a few hundred years). Historically it would have varied so much, and most commonly probably have been low alcohol and dry. Perhaps a better name for Traditional Mead might be 'plain mead' or 'pure mead'? Anyway..
Check out our Traditional Mead, made with honey from the Wye Valley here
What is a Melomel (Fruit Mead)?
Melomel is mead made with fruit. Berries, apples, cherries, peaches or citrus fruits are often used. The fruit adds natural acidity, freshness and colour, making melomels lively and easy to enjoy. Many modern meaderies create seasonal melomels to celebrate local produce and honey together.
Our small batch meads are often Melomel meads, they vary each month, check them out here!
What Is Hydromel?
Hydromel refers to a lighter, lower-alcohol mead. essentially the session version of mead. The name comes from the Greek words for “water” and “honey.” Hydromels are often sparkling, crisp and refreshing, perfect for summer or daytime drinking. Modern meaderies have embraced hydromel for its drinkability, much like your favourite sparkling water or light cider.
Our sparkling mead range are Hydromel meads! See them here
What is a Cyser?
A cyser is mead made with apple juice or cider instead of water. It combines the gentle sweetness of honey with the crisp tartness of apples. Cysers are often lightly sparkling and can range from dry and refreshing to sweet and mellow. They are excellent with roast pork, cheddar cheese or apple desserts.
What is a Pyment?
A Pyment is mead made with grapes or blended with wine. It tends to be rich, rounded and similar in body to dessert wines or sweet whites, but with a softer finish. The mix of grape sugars and honey creates a velvety texture and layered flavour that appeals to both wine and mead drinkers.
A lot of the mass-market meads found in the UK are actually Pyments, made with a white wine and sugar base, with honey flavourings.
What is a Metheglin (Spiced Mead)?
Metheglin is mead made with herbs or spices. The word comes from the Welsh term meddyglyn, meaning “healing drink.” This is where the modern word for medicine comes from! Historically, these meads were infused with ingredients such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger or rosemary. Today, metheglins can be light and aromatic or rich and spiced. They are lovely served chilled in summer or warmed in winter.
We proudly produce a Metheglin for Shakespeare's Globe Theatre to celebrate this heritage, and because it was mentioned in the play ‘Love’s Labours Lost’. This mead is warming and aromatic and can suit any season. Find it here
We also make a Mulled Mead where we push the spice level to new heights!
What is a Rhodomel?
Rhodomel is one of the oldest known recipes of mead, traditionally made with rose petals or rose hips. Originating in ancient Greece, and enjoyed in quantity by the Romans, it is soft, floral and delicately perfumed, often with a gentle pink hue. Rhodomel is light, fragrant and tastes a bit like turkish delight sweets.
What is a Capsimel?
Capsimel is mead infused with chilli peppers. It is a modern take on mead-making that combines honey’s natural sweetness with the gentle heat of chilli. A good capsimel has warmth rather than burn, creating a unique balance of flavours. It pairs wonderfully with smoky food, barbecue or dark chocolate.
What is a Bochet (Caramelised Mead)?
A bochet is made by caramelising the honey before fermentation. This process deepens the colour and creates rich flavours of toffee, nuts and burnt sugar. The result is a dark, smooth and luxurious mead that is perfect for sipping on a cool evening.
What is a Braggot (Beer-Mead Hybrid)?
Braggot is a blend of mead and beer. It is made by fermenting honey with malted grains and hops, producing a drink that sits between ale and mead. Braggots can be light and hoppy or dark and malty. They were popular in medieval Britain and are now being rediscovered.
Our range of honey beers are Braggots because they are fermented on malt and honey together! Check them out here.
What is Sack Mead?
Sack mead is the richer, stronger cousin of traditional mead. It contains more honey and has a fuller body with higher sweetness and alcohol. Sack meads are often served as dessert drinks or aged for extra depth. Popular in Eastern Europe, they are often aged for a minimum of 5 years before they are enjoyed. This style of mead is good for slow sipping!
What is an Acerglyn?
Acerglyn is mead made with both honey and maple syrup. The addition of maple brings a buttery, caramelised sweetness and a velvety texture. Acerglyn is warming, rich and perfect for enjoying in the colder months. One of our small batch meads was fermented on Honey, maple syrup and blueberry juice, making it a Melomel-Acerglyn hybrid!
What is an Omphacomel?
Omphacomel is a rare and historic type of mead made with verjuice, which is the juice of unripe grapes. The verjuice adds sharp acidity, balancing the honey’s sweetness and creating a bright, refreshing drink. It is an intriguing choice for those who enjoy drier meads with a crisp edge.
The Endless Variety of Mead
The beauty of mead lies in its flexibility. While wine depends on grapes and cider on apple varieties, mead begins with honey, and from there the possibilities are endless. Every honey variety brings its own character, and the addition of fruits, herbs, or spices opens up even more flavour combinations.
From dry traditional meads to fruity melomels or warming metheglins, there is a mead for every taste and every occasion. Whether enjoyed chilled, sparkling, or still and aged, mead connects us to something timeless and natural: the simple, golden sweetness of honey.
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