What's Mead?

Discover the ancient art of mead making and the magic of honey wine

The World's Oldest Alcoholic Beverage

Mead, often called "honey wine," is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey with water. It's believed to be the oldest alcoholic drink in the world, with evidence of mead production dating back over 8,000 years.

Unlike wine made from grapes or beer made from grains, mead is made from honey, giving it a unique sweetness and complexity that can't be found in any other alcoholic beverage.

At Wildflower Meadery, we honor this ancient tradition while bringing modern techniques and local ingredients to create meads that are both traditional and innovative.

Ancient mead making

Types of Mead

Explore the diverse world of mead varieties

Traditional Mead

Made with just honey, water, and yeast. The purest form of mead that showcases the natural flavors of honey.

ABV: 10-15% | Sweetness: Dry to Sweet

Melomel (Fruit Mead)

Mead made with fruit additions. Popular fruits include berries, apples, and stone fruits.

ABV: 8-14% | Sweetness: Semi-sweet to Sweet

Metheglin (Spiced Mead)

Mead flavored with spices, herbs, or botanicals. Common additions include cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.

ABV: 10-16% | Sweetness: Semi-sweet to Sweet

Cyser (Apple Mead)

A specific type of melomel made with apple juice or cider instead of water.

ABV: 8-12% | Sweetness: Semi-sweet to Sweet

Pyment (Grape Mead)

Mead made with grape juice or wine, combining the best of both honey and grape flavors.

ABV: 10-16% | Sweetness: Dry to Sweet

Braggot (Beer Mead)

A hybrid beverage made with both honey and malted grains, combining mead and beer traditions.

ABV: 6-14% | Sweetness: Dry to Semi-sweet

How Mead is Made

From honey to bottle in six simple steps

1

Honey Selection

We carefully select high-quality wildflower honey from local beekeepers, ensuring the best flavor profile for our meads.

2

Mixing

Honey is mixed with water to create the must (unfermented mead). The ratio determines the final sweetness and alcohol content.

3

Fermentation

Yeast is added to convert the sugars in honey into alcohol. This process can take several weeks to months.

4

Aging

The mead is aged in stainless steel tanks or oak barrels to develop complex flavors and smooth out any harsh edges.

5

Clarification

The mead is filtered and clarified to remove any sediment and create a crystal-clear appearance.

6

Bottling

The finished mead is bottled and labeled, ready to be enjoyed by mead lovers everywhere.

How to Taste Mead

Get the most out of your mead experience with our expert tasting guide

Look

Observe the color, clarity, and viscosity. Mead can range from pale gold to deep amber.

Smell

Swirl gently and inhale. Look for honey aromas, fruit notes, and any spice or floral elements.

Taste

Take a small sip and let it coat your palate. Notice the sweetness, acidity, and alcohol warmth.

Finish

Pay attention to the aftertaste. Good mead should have a pleasant, lingering finish.

Pro Tip: Serve your mead at 45-55°F for the best tasting experience!

Food Pairings

Mead pairs beautifully with a variety of foods

Cheese

Try with aged cheddar, blue cheese, or creamy brie for a perfect balance of flavors.

Fruit

Fresh berries, apples, and pears complement the natural sweetness of mead.

Meat

Pair with roasted chicken, pork, or game meats for a hearty meal experience.

Desserts

Sweet meads work beautifully with chocolate, honey cake, or fruit tarts.

Spicy Foods

The sweetness of mead can help balance spicy dishes and cool the palate.

Seafood

Lighter meads pair well with grilled fish, shrimp, or scallops.