Our most important raw material is a product of the environment.

There aren't many companies that can claim that the production of their raw material is beneficial to the landscape around which it is gathered. But we can.

Our beekeeping is as ethical as we possibly can be. We allow them to keep their own honey to overwinter on, and feed them supplementary feed only if they need it. This is better for them, as they eat what they have gathered and this helps them to create stronger colonies.

We breed our queens from locally adapted bees, many of which have been rescued from roofs and building sites in the area. These bees overwinter well, are adapted to bad weather and damp winters, and help preserve local genetics which make the bees more resilient, so need less medication and supplementary feeding, which is better for them and better for us.

Our process is low energy. Mead is not boiled like beer, nor do we rely on "crash chilling" to help clear yeast from product. We let time do its thing and embrace the pace of a natural fermentation, and yeast will clear and settle in its own time, slow and steady. We think this improves the quality of what we do, and it also keeps our carbon footprint as low as possible.

Our packaging is as carbon neutral as we can get it. We use paper labels on our bottles, so these can be fully recycled or repurposed. We compost the cardboard pallet liners, and recycle our pallet wrap.

We have chosen our packaging partners by focusing on two things: product quality and sustainability. We chose them as they generate all electricity on site from a biodigester.

Anaerobic digestion is a natural process like fermentation, where organic materials are broken down by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas. This biogas then generates electricity, which in turn powers the processes involved in our canning. From mixing the ingredients to sealing the cans, every step of the production process is powered by clean, renewable energy derived from anaerobic digestion.

We have working very hard to source fully recyclable packaging and use very little plastic in our production process. Taking nature as our guide, we are constantly looking at ways to re-use and recycle.

By prioritizing anaerobic digestion and other renewable energy sources throughout our operations, we’re not just creating great-tasting drinks – we’re also making a positive impact on the planet.

Greenwashing in the Drinks Industry

Unfortunately, not all companies in the drinks industry uphold the same commitment to sustainability. Some companies engage in greenwashing – a deceptive marketing practice where they exaggerate or misrepresent their environmental credentials to appear more eco-friendly than they actually are, to attract discerning customers who might make alternative choices.

Greenwashing not only deceives consumers but also undermines genuine efforts to address environmental challenges, by shouting louder and being misleading.

It’s essential for consumers to look beyond greenwashing tactics and demand genuine transparency and accountability from brands.

At Hive Mind Mead and Brew co, we’re committed to leading by example and being transparent about our environmental impact. Together, we can create a future where transparency, authenticity, and sustainability are the norm in the drinks industry.