Best Places To Buy Mead Beer

Mead, an alcoholic drink made by fermenting honey with water, is often referred to as honey wine. It is believed to be one of the oldest alcoholic beverages in the world, with evidence of its consumption dating back to 7000 BCE in China. Mead has been enjoyed by various ancient civilisations, including the Vikings, Mayans, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Today, mead is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, with an increasing number of meaderies opening across the United States. If you're interested in trying mead, you can buy it online directly from a meadery or check your local liquor store.

Online from meaderies

Mead, an alcoholic beverage made from fermenting honey, is growing in popularity. There are now hundreds of meaderies in the United States, with a new one opening every three days on average.

If you're looking to buy mead online from a meadery, there are several options to choose from. Here are some detailed suggestions:

Drinking Horn Meadery

Drinking Horn Meadery offers a range of Traditional, Regular, and Seasonal meads made with local ingredients and ancient recipes. You can purchase their mead online, but there is a minimum order of three bottles. They also have a physical location in Flagstaff, Arizona, called the Mead Hall Downtown Flagstaff, where you can enjoy a glass of mead and experience the unique atmosphere.

Batch Mead

Batch Mead is a small-batch craft mead producer based in Temecula, California. They use locally sourced honey, apples, and other ingredients to create delicious meads and hard ciders. You can buy their mead online directly from their website, and they offer free shipping for orders over $149.

All-Wise Meadery

Owned by actor Dylan Sprouse, All-Wise Meadery is based in New York City. While I couldn't find specific information about online purchases, their website mentions a "nationwide shipping program," indicating that online orders are likely available.

Superstition Meadery

Superstition Meadery is an award-winning meadery that has learned to adapt to trends and use local ingredients to create a range of affordable meads. While I couldn't find specific information about online orders, they do mention shipping through their own site, so online purchases are likely available.

Slate Point Meadery

Slate Point Meadery, located in New York's Hudson Valley, offers a range of meads with different strengths and flavours. While I couldn't find specific information about online orders, they are mentioned in an article about buying mead online, so it's worth checking out their website.

When buying mead online, it's always a good idea to check the meadery's website for the most up-to-date information on their products and shipping options.

Local liquor stores

Mead, an alcoholic beverage made from fermenting honey, is growing in popularity. You can buy mead online directly from a meadery or check if your local liquor store carries it.

If you want to buy mead from a physical store, you can try searching for a store near you that stocks it. One such store is the Mead Hall in Downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, which sells traditional, regular, and seasonal meads.

You can also try searching for a local meadery. For example, All-Wise Meadery in New York City is owned by actor Dylan Sprouse.

If you are in California, you could visit Chaucer's Cellars, which was one of the first meaderies in the United States, or Slate Point Meadery in New York's Hudson Valley.

Online options

If you would prefer to buy mead online, there are several options. You can order from websites such as Batch Mead, a small-batch craft mead producer in Temecula, California, or Drinking Horn Meadery, which offers traditional, regular, and seasonal meads.

You can also try VinoShipper, which offers meads from across the country, or individual meadery websites such as Superstition, Slate Point, and Schramm's.

Local mead halls

Mead halls, or feasting halls, have a rich history that dates back to the Viking Age. They are traditional cultural gathering spaces that served as venues for feasting, celebration, and administrative functions. These halls were central to community life and provided an opportunity for social bonding and unity. Today, modern pubs resemble the concept of a mead hall, but the tradition of mead halls continues to thrive and keep the spirit of Nordic culture alive.

Twisted Horn Meadery, Vista, CA

Twisted Horn Meadery in Vista, California, has created a "Mead Hall" tasting room that offers a unique celebratory experience. They have an excellent selection of award-winning meads, ranging from dry to sweet, and use local honey and real fruit in their production.

Drinking Horn Meadery, Flagstaff, AZ

Drinking Horn Meadery has a mead hall located in downtown Flagstaff, Arizona. They offer a variety of meads, including traditional, regular, and seasonal options, all made with local ingredients and ancient recipes.

Feudvár, Norway

Feudvár in Norway is a famous mead hall that has created traditional and delicious drinks while maintaining an atmosphere of regality. They use the finest ingredients to craft robust, honey-infused beverages, offering an authentic and rich flavor experience.

Fróðheimar, Iceland

Fróðheimar in Iceland is another renowned mead hall that has established itself as an authority on crafting traditional and delicious drinks. They uphold the atmosphere of regality that has remained a hallmark of mead halls through the centuries.

These local mead halls offer visitors a chance to step back in time and experience the rich history and cultural significance of mead while enjoying a variety of delicious mead options.

Beer or wine aisles in stores

Mead is an alcoholic drink made by fermenting honey with water and yeast. It is often referred to as honey wine, although this is not entirely accurate as it is not made from fruit. It is distinct from both wine and beer, although it shares some characteristics with both.

In stores, mead can be found in the beer aisle, the wine aisle, or in its own dedicated section. This is because mead is a very versatile drink that can be sipped like a beer, wine, or cider. Its ABV (alcohol by volume) can range from 3% to 20%, with 'session' meads at 3-7%, 'standard' meads at 7-14%, and 'sack' meads at 14-20%. The higher the ABV, the more likely it is to be found in the wine aisle, as it will be more similar to a dessert wine.

In terms of taste, mead can be sweet, dry, still, or sparkling, with a wide range of flavours depending on the type of honey and additional ingredients used. It can be similar to a fruit wine, white wine, or hard cider. The type of honey used will significantly impact the character of the mead, with options ranging from light and floral to dark and robust.

The process of making mead involves mixing honey with water to form a diluted substance called 'must'. Additional ingredients such as fruit or spices are then added, followed by yeast, and the mixture is left to ferment for months or years. This is a longer process than brewing beer, which typically takes a few weeks to a few months.

Mead is often found in speciality or local liquor stores, or directly from a meadery. Some meaderies have online stores and will ship their products, although this is usually restricted by state laws.

Renaissance Fairs

In the United States, Renaissance Fairs such as the Northern California Renaissance Faire and the Texas Renaissance Festival offer patrons the opportunity to sip mead alongside other beverages like beer, wine, and soft drinks. The Northern California Renaissance Faire has a dedicated mead stand called the Lance and Shield, while the Texas Renaissance Festival features RenMead meads among its offerings. These fairs provide an excellent introduction to the world of mead for those who are curious to try it.

For those who want to explore further, meaderies have been popping up across the country, with almost 250 meaderies now operating in the United States. Brothers Drake in Columbus, Ohio, is one such meadery, offering a range of mead varieties and educating visitors about this ancient drink. Another example is Starrlight Mead in Pittsboro, North Carolina, founded by a couple who discovered mead at Renaissance fairs and started fermenting their own.

Whether you're sampling mead at a Renaissance Fair or visiting a local meadery, the resurgence of this historic beverage offers a unique opportunity to connect with the past while enjoying a diverse range of flavours and styles.

Frequently asked questions