Mead 101
Let's dive into the enchanting world of mead, the ancient elixir crafted from honey and steeped in history. Mead isn't just a beverage; it's a journey through time, a celebration of nature's sweetness, and a testament to the art of brewing. So, what exactly is mead, and why should you care? Let's find out!
What is mead?
Mead is an alcoholic drink that is made by fermenting honey with water, and often includes various fruits, spices, grains, or hops. It is one of the oldest known alcoholic drinks.
Often dubbed the "nectar of the gods," mead has a rich history dating back thousands of years, with roots in various cultures worldwide. It was often associated with celebrations and rituals, and its popularity has fluctuated across different time periods and regions.
There are several types of mead, including:
- Traditional mead (honey, water, and yeast) See our Traditional Mead Collection
- Melomel (fruit-flavoured mead)
- Metheglin (spiced mead) See our Mulled Mead
- Cyser (made with apples or apple juice)
- Pyment (made with grapes or grape juice)
- Bochet (made with cooked or caramelised honey)
How Mead is Made
Mead is made by mixing together honey, water and yeast. Here at Hive Mind Mead we use a mixture of our own honeys from the Wye Valley as well as Heather honey from other trusted welsh beekeepers. Also we only ever brew on 100%!
The taste of mead depends on a few things. A Traditional Mead is rich with a strong taste of honey throughout often compared to dessert wines. A Sparkling Mead is much lighter with a hint of honey and usually flavoured with fruit or hops.
We believe in keeping it local and letting nature do the talking. That's why we use a mixture of our own honeys from the Wye Valley as well as Heather honey from other trusted welsh beekeepers.
Drinking Mead
Choosing your mead is easy!
If you prefer light and sparkling, go for one of our Sparkling meads. A sparkling mead is an ideal drink to have with a BBQ or to wash down a particularly spicy curry. You can also sip one leisurely on a relaxing evening. Always serve chilled!
For something stronger and more akin to a spirit, try our Whiskey Barrel Aged Traditional Mead that has been aged in laphroaig casks for 12 months. It’s often enjoyed on special occasions, celebrations, or as a unique alternative to wine or beer.
Traditional Mead is typically served at cool to room temperature, depending on the style. Use wine glasses or traditional mead cups for serving, and enjoy it like you would wine. Our Wye Valley Traditional Mead goes perfectly with a cheese board or as a wine alternative to accompany a dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is mead like beer?
Mead is also sometimes described as honey beer. Mead is more similar to wine than beer, as it is made through fermentation of sugars (from honey) without the use of grains. It lacks the characteristic hops and malt found in beer. However, you can get some sparkling meads that may be flavoured with hops, such as Hive Mind’s Sparkling Honey and Hops session mead.
What’s the difference between mead and wine?
Mead and wine are not the same thing. While Mead is often described as a honey wine there are clear differences. The biggest difference is that mead is made by fermenting honey where wine is made by fermenting grapes.
What is the alcohol content of mead?
The alcohol content of mead varies but is generally in the range of 8-20% alcohol by volume, similar to many wines. But session strength mead is also growing in popularity ranging from 3.4% to 4% ABV.
Is mead sweet or dry?
Mead can be sweet, dry, or anywhere in between. It all depends on the amount of residual sugars left after fermentation or the volume of honey added in during the back sweetening stage. The sweetness level is determined by the meadmaker's preference and the recipe.
Can I make mead at home?
Yes, mead can be made at home using basic ingredients like honey, water, and yeast. We regularly run mead making workshops to get you started where we teach the basics of making mead at home.
Where to buy mead
Our mead can be found at farm shops and delis across the UK, or you can simply order some directly from us at Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co. here.
How to learn more about mead
If you want to learn more about mead, there are a number of different forums online about homebrewing and mead making such as Homebrew Talk. Or you can come along to one of our Mead Making Courses where we walk you through the history of mead and offer you tastes of a variety of different styles. Most importantly, we teach you how to make mead yourself and you’ll take home 3 litres of your own mead which you make with us on the day. If you want to book a spot you can find more information on it as well the course dates here
