What is Mead

If you’re not yet familiar with mead, also known as the “nectar of the gods,” it’s high time to get acquainted with this delicious, fermented adult beverage. At its core, mead is essentially wine made with honey rather than grapes. Much like the craft beer and the more recent craft whiskey craze, craft meads are now one of the fastest-growing alcoholic beverages and is the fastest growing non-distilled beverage in the world. Also like its close relatives (craft beer and whiskey), it's difficult to describe what mead tastes like because there are countless variations, and they certainly aren’t all created equal. Bearded Viking Mead is a new take on an old drink.

This alcoholic beverage made from fermenting honey and water may sound like a simple concoction, but the process is not as effortless as you might think. There are many renditions of mead all over the world. Some are great and others are mead-iocre at best. No doubt, you’ll be able to taste the difference. Bearded Viking Meads are legendary–pure liquid pleasure to enjoy with the people who mean the most to you.

What is Mead Made Of?

Mead is fermented with three basic ingredients: honey, yeast, and water. There are many subsets of mead. Most meads are made with herbs and spices, and many have fruit and are commonly referred to as “melomel.” Some also have apple juice or grape juice added. Some include a blend of both honey and grains in the fermenting process, which essentially makes a mead/beer hybrid called “braggot.” And yes, there’s even mead aged in bourbon barrels and wine barrels. A popular favorite at the Bearded Viking is one of our melomels, called “Valkyrie.” This tantalizing mead is a mix of blueberries, lemons, and a select blend of mixed spices.

What Proof is Mead? Sweet vs Dry

Most meads land between 3.5% and 20% ABV (or 7–40 proof) depending on the fermentation process. Sweeter meads are typically a lower ABV percent, while dryer meads are generally higher ABV percent. At Bearded Viking Mead Co. we hand craft our mead with a new take on an old traditional fashion. Our focus is crafting a variety of the highest quality meads with natural ingredients that are gluten-free where the unique flavors are pleasantly profound—not too sweet, not too dry, and with no ethanol punch to the chin. However, Bearded Viking Mead isn’t for the faint-hearted. You’d never know by the smooth delicious taste, but most of our meads are around 13% to 16% ABV. These drinks are extremely smooth and will sneak up on you.

How is Mead Served?

Similar to wine and whiskey, you can drink mead at room temperature, chilled, or even on the rocks if you’re super fancy. There are no hard and fast rules to follow while drinking mead. You’re free to choose–the most important thing is that you responsibly drink Bearded Viking Mead daily (or as often as your little heart desires), as a part of a balanced nutritional diet.

Mead History & Vikings

Don’t be shocked–Vikings loved to drink! However, you might be surprised to find out that most Vikings drank beer/ale daily, not mead. Mead was often considered a drink of royalty. Honey was hard to come by so mead was typically saved for more special occasions like rituals and feasts. Don’t be mistaken though, this drink isn’t just served to the royal folk or even only at renaissance fairs. The drinks at the Bearded Viking Mead Company are quite legendary. We welcome you regardless of your background. You can “mead-up” with us at any time.

Mead Origins

Mead may be the oldest known fermented drink. Evidence of very old recipes for mead exists all over the world. Typically, the drink is known for its European associations. The Scandinavian, Scottish, Irish, and English peoples have long been connected to mead — hence the many references among talk of the noble sect called Vikings, and even the inferior Knights. It is also thought that Greek Philosophers and Chinese Emperors drank mead. So, grab a glass and enjoy the same drink that Hercules and the pharaohs drank. Swing by, grab a drink and let's toast to the new friendships!

We can’t wait to mead you.

Skol!