I’m happy to have a chance to talk about something different this week. I have been enjoying mead for a very long time, and noticed that many other craft beer drinkers feel the same way about this fermented beverage made from honey. It is such a great relationship that there’s a place in northern Indiana that is a meadery and a brewery in one. There is historical reason for mead and beer being so close together, and if you need further proof consider this: mead comes in wine bottles, but you can still check it in on Untapped! Mead is popular, and will continue to grow in popularity as more people learn about it. It is a great shareable beverage, and everyone should have at least one bottle of it in their collection.
Mead is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages, possibly dating back to 7000 BC. It is believed to have been created by accident when honey was mixed with water during a rainstorm, and wild yeast developed it into a drinkable beverage. It was predominantly popular in places where grapevines could not grow. A social beverage, it was often used in meals, and is mentioned in both Beowulf and the Canterbury Tales. Like beer, it was drunk in great “mead” halls and is a very communal beverage on every level. Throughout the ages, mead has had a rich history and in an exciting turn of things, it is making an immense come back.
Well, I have been fortunate enough to try mead multiple times, it is only in the last couple years that I have really come to appreciate it. I owe this to a wonderful place in Valparaiso Indiana called Misbeehavin’ Meads. I visited them on my brewery project three years ago, and have been back almost a half dozen times. They continue to push the envelope, and make extraordinary products. Last year I got to try a peanut butter and jelly mead from them at a beer festival, and this is caused me to want to try the same style from other meadery’s as well.
I like the variety of meads I have available to drink here in Indiana. Along with Misbeehavin’ Meads, Manic and Ambrosia, and others are also making a great product. I’m also happy to watch the progress of my friend Jeremy’s place here in Indianapolis. Klausing Meads will hopefully open in the fall, but they are making some great test products that are really turning heads. And in Ohio, I really like Blackbird in Dayton, and I’m hoping to experience some of the meadery’s in Columbus when I’m there next weekend. Brother’s Drake and ZenBee both come highly recommended, so I am sure it’s going to be a great time.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably already got to try some great mead, maybe at a local taproom or you’ve been to a meadery. If so, you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you have not, I encourage you to go ahead and try it for yourself, and see how delicious it is. Mead pairs well with beer, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy it. I have a lot in my collection, and should we have a drink together, just asked me to share some of my mead and I probably will!
So Much Beer So Little Time 