Topic: Mead
Varietal Meads
Digital and Plus Members OnlyThere are more than 300 honey varietals in the United States, and countless others across the world. Each has unique characteristics that differ from another in taste, aroma, color, and even mouthfeel. Learn more about some of the most popular honey varieties and tips to create your own varietal mead.
The Queen’s Mead
Digital and Plus Members OnlyBitten by the meadmaking bug during the pandemic, Paul Crowther set out to make a historic mead. Not just any mead steeped in history, but one said to have been enjoyed by Queen Elizabeth I and possibly created by ancient Celts who occupied Britain more than 1,000 years earlier. Learn about the history and techniques to create this mead yourself.
The Wide World of Meads
FREEAccording to our annual reader study, meads are the third most popular beverage to ferment after beer and cider. Dive into the greater world of these fermented honey beverages.
A Harmony of Fruit and Honey
Digital and Plus Members OnlyMeads containing fruit are a perpetually hot topic amongst home meadmakers as well as being a huge part of the commercial mead conversation. Taking what we know about making mead from just honey and then adding fruit doesn’t seem to be all that complex of a leap, but I assure you that the adventure of
Meads of the Season
FREESeasonal drinking traditions are a really interesting subject to delve into, as holiday parties and family gatherings often open people up to new beverages that aren’t available or of interest during other
Spiced Meads: Tips from the Pros
Digital and Plus Members OnlySpiced meads, often called methyglyns or metheglins, date back as far as mead itself. The options are limitless when it comes to choosing what spices and herbs, as well as how they are used. Two professional meadmakers share their advice for approaching this style of mead that is perfect for the winter holidays. Ash Fischbein,
Backsweetening
FREEThe what of this process is simple . . . add sugar to sweeten up your alcoholic beverage. It can be any type: Beer, cider, mead, or even wine. We have a
Braggot
FREESomewhere between a traditional mead and a beer is where you’ll find braggot. The trick, however, is to balance the two ingredients to create a synthesis of malt and honey. Learn about the history, ingredients, and techniques to brew a braggot worthy of bragging about.
Melomels: Brewing Big Fruit Mead
Digital and Plus Members OnlyHigh-gravity fruit meads — or melomels — can be a tricky style to brew when starting gravities are often above 1.140. Learn the best techniques to brew and ferment your next melomel, as well as advice for choosing the best fruit.
Single Varietal Mead Making
Digital and Plus Members OnlyIn its simplest form mead is a fermented beverage made from honey and water. The key to making fantastic meads is your honey, so don’t think of honey as a generic ingredient — it’s so much more. Honey is a complex mixture of sugars, flavors from the pollen as well as trace enzymes, minerals, vitamins,
Session Meads: Making Carbonated, Lower-ABV Meads
FREEWhile mead is usually a double-digit ABV beverage, a relatively new style of more sessionable mead is becoming popular. Learn the keys to making carbonated, lower-alcohol meads to be enjoyed on any occasion.
Modern Meadmaking
Digital and Plus Members OnlyMead, which is a fermented beverage made from honey, is arguably one of the oldest alcoholic beverages. Vessels found in China dating back to 7000 BC have organic compounds consistent with fermented honey and rice. Mead was the revered “nectar of the gods” in ancient Greece and the “drink of kings” throughout history, though it