Jason Wagner
Mead, also known as honey wine, is an alcoholic drink made by fermenting honey with water. It is considered to be one of the most ancient alcoholic drinks, dating back to ancient times in Europe, Africa, and Asia. While mead can be hard to find in liquor stores, it can be purchased online from small-batch meaderies such as Batch Mead, Valhalla Mead, and Golden Coast Mead, or in-person at select meaderies like the StoneKeep Meadery in Jim Thorpe, PA, and the Oceanside Mead Shop in Oceanside, CA.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mead type | Traditional, regular, seasonal, sparkling, chocolate, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, oaked, spiced, braggot, wildflower sour, wildflower sweet, wildflower dry, etc. |
| Mead brand | Valhalla Mead, Batch Mead, Golden Coast Mead, Drinking Horn Meadery, Moonlight, Nectar Creek, B. Nektar, Redstone, Golden Coast, Viking's Blod, Bunratty, Chaucers, etc. |
| Mead availability | Online, liquor stores, meaderies, grocery stores, etc. |
| Mead origin | Pacific Northwest, Temecula, CA, San Diego, Poland, Finland, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mexico, Croatia, France, Spain, Italy, etc. |
What You'll Learn
Online meaderies like Batch Mead and Drinking Horn Meadery
Online meaderies are a great option for those looking to purchase mead beer. Two such online meaderies are Batch Mead and Drinking Horn Meadery.
Batch Mead
Batch Mead is an award-winning meadery located in Temecula, California. Founded in 2019 by Derek and Danielle Busch, Batch Mead crafts its meads with local honey and real fruit, with a focus on small batches. They offer a variety of mead sets, including the Viking Mead Set, the Mythical Creatures Mead Set, and the Song of the Sea - Mermaid Mead Set. Batch Mead provides free shipping for orders over $149 in 40 states across the US, excluding Connecticut, New Jersey, South Dakota, Utah, Arkansas, Mississippi, Delaware, and Alabama.
Drinking Horn Meadery
Drinking Horn Meadery, based in Flagstaff, Arizona, offers traditional, regular, and seasonal varieties of mead, also known as honey wine. Their meads are crafted with local ingredients and ancient recipes. Drinking Horn Meadery has a minimum order requirement of three bottles for online purchases to keep prices low by eliminating packaging charges. They currently do not ship to Arizona, but their mead can be found in stores within the state.
In addition to these online meaderies, there are several other options for purchasing mead beer online, such as Moonlight Meadery, which is recommended by many mead enthusiasts, and Total Wines & BevMo, which offer limited varieties.
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Retailers like Total Wines & BevMo
Retailers like Total Wine & More and BevMo! stock a wide range of mead beers. Total Wine & More offers a variety of mead beers from different regions, including California, Indiana, Denmark, and Washington State. Their selection includes meads from well-known brands such as Dansk Mjod, Sky River, and Chaucer's. Total Wine & More also carries meads from local producers like Texas Mead Works and Berrywine Plantations.
BevMo!, on the other hand, seems to have a more limited selection, with Golden Coast Mead being the only mead beer currently available on their website. However, it is worth noting that their website may not reflect the full range of products available in their physical stores.
Both retailers offer convenient options for customers to purchase mead beer. Total Wine & More allows customers to browse and purchase mead online, providing a convenient way to explore their extensive selection. BevMo! also offers online shopping and instant delivery or pickup options within 30 minutes, making it easy for customers to get their hands on mead beer without delay.
When it comes to variety and availability, Total Wine & More appears to be the better option for those looking to explore a diverse range of mead beers. Their online store makes it convenient to browse and discover new meads, while BevMo! may be more limited in their current offerings but still provides quick and efficient delivery and pickup services for customers in a hurry.
Whether you're a mead enthusiast or a newcomer to this ancient beverage, retailers like Total Wine & More and BevMo! offer convenient access to a diverse range of mead beers, ensuring that you can easily find and enjoy this unique and delicious drink.
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Liquor stores that specialise in wine
Mead, an alcoholic drink made by fermenting honey, water and yeast, can be purchased from liquor stores, although it is not widely available. When looking for mead, it is recommended to try liquor stores that specialise in wine, rather than beer, as mead is, by most definitions, a wine.
Some liquor stores that specialise in wine include Franklin Wine & Spirits in Franklin, TN, which offers a comprehensive library of beverages, including wine, bourbon, and whiskey. The store also has a Wine & Bourbon Club, where members get first option to purchase hard-to-find and allocated bottles.
Another option is to order mead online and have it delivered directly to your house from retailers such as Total Wines & BevMo, or small-batch meaderies like Batch Mead, based in Temecula, CA.
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Local meaderies, e.g. StoneKeep Meadery in Jim Thorpe, PA
Local meaderies are a great option for buying mead beer, and StoneKeep Meadery in Jim Thorpe, PA, is no exception. Here's everything you need to know about this hidden gem.
Location and Contact
StoneKeep Meadery is located in the heart of Jim Thorpe, PA, at 77 Broadway, with the tasting room situated in the Douglas House, right behind Alice's Pantry. You can easily access it by following Rt 209 to Broadway and turning left if you're coming from the north or driving straight if you're coming from the south. The contact number for the meadery is 570-369-0573.
Products and Services
StoneKeep Meadery specializes in mead, an ancient honey wine flavoured with fruit, spices, herbs, and malt. They source their ingredients locally from Pennsylvania farmers and beekeepers, ensuring the freshest produce for their craft. Their Traditional Mead follows a recipe dating back to 1376 and is brewed with wildflower honey, giving it a rich golden colour. In addition to their traditional mead, they also offer fruity blends like the Blackberry Melomel, a sweet dessert companion.
The Jim Thorpe location boasts a tasting room where you can sample their mead and a store where you can purchase bottles to enjoy at home. They also offer a variety of grape wines, including classics like Niagara and Fredonia.
Customer Experience
Visitors to StoneKeep Meadery rave about the friendly and knowledgeable staff, who are passionate about their craft and eager to guide customers through their choices. The tasting room is described as a hidden gem and a tiny shop that offers a fun and educational experience. With a range of sweet and dry options, there's something for every palate.
Additional Information
StoneKeep Meadery's main location and vineyard are in Fleetwood, north of Reading, making it an ideal day trip from NEPA. If you're looking for a unique wine-tasting experience and a chance to support local businesses, StoneKeep Meadery is worth a visit.
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International Mead Day celebrations
International Mead Day is celebrated on the first Saturday of August every year. It is a day to celebrate the making and drinking of mead, an alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey. The day was first established by the American Homebrewers Association in 2002 to promote awareness and appreciation of mead and inspire more people to explore mead-making.
- Hosting a mead tasting party: Invite friends over to sample different varieties of mead, from sweet to dry. Encourage guests to bring their mead creations to share and include tasting notes to spark discussions about flavours and aromas.
- Visiting a local meadery: Find a local meadery, enjoy a tour, and learn about the mead-making process. Most meaderies offer tastings, so you can also savour their unique blends.
- Brewing your own mead: Gather honey, water, and yeast and follow a simple recipe to brew your own mead at home. Experiment with different ingredients, such as fruits or spices, to create your own unique blend.
- Sharing on social media: Document your International Mead Day celebrations, including tasting parties, brewery visits, or your own brewing process, and share them online. Use hashtags to join the broader community of mead lovers and inspire others to join in the fun.
- Making mead-themed crafts: Get creative and make candles, lip balms, or lotions using honey and beeswax. These crafts can be fun to make and also make great gifts.
In addition to these activities, International Mead Day celebrations can also include educational tours, discussions, and opportunities to taste different kinds of mead, connecting people who share a love for this distinctive beverage.
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Frequently asked questions
You can buy mead beer online from small batch meaderies like Batch Mead. You can also order from retailers like Total Wines & BevMo, but they might have limited varieties. You can also try calling liquor stores, especially those that specialize in wine, to see if they have mead in stock.
Some popular mead brands include Valhalla Mead, Batch Mead, Golden Coast Mead, and Drinking Horn Meadery.
It depends on your location. For example, if you're in San Diego, you might find mead at local liquor stores or craft beer shops. If you're in Portland, OR, you can get Stung Fermented's sparkling mead on tap at Culmination Brewing.
