What's Mead?
Discover the ancient art of mead making and the magic of honey wine
The World's Oldest Alcoholic Beverage
Mead, often called "honey wine," is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey with water. It's believed to be the oldest alcoholic drink in the world, with evidence of mead production dating back over 8,000 years.
Unlike wine made from grapes or beer made from grains, mead is made from honey, which gives it a character all its own. It can be dry or sweet, still or sparkling.
At Wildflower Meadery we make ours with raw wildflower honey from Western New York and typically ferment dry to off-dry, so it's easy to start with.
Types of Mead
Explore the diverse world of mead varieties
Traditional Mead
Made with just honey, water, and yeast. The purest form of mead that showcases the natural flavors of honey.
Melomel (Fruit Mead)
Mead made with fruit additions. Popular fruits include berries, apples, and stone fruits.
Metheglin (Spiced Mead)
Mead flavored with spices, herbs, or botanicals. Common additions include cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.
Cyser (Apple Mead)
A specific type of melomel made with apple juice or cider instead of water.
Pyment (Grape Mead)
Mead made with grape juice or wine, combining the best of both honey and grape flavors.
Braggot (Beer Mead)
A hybrid beverage made with both honey and malted grains, combining mead and beer traditions.
How Mead is Made
From honey to bottle in six simple steps
Honey Selection
It starts with the honey, which sets the mead's flavor. Ours is raw wildflower honey from Western New York.
Mixing
Honey is mixed with water to create the must (unfermented mead). The ratio determines the final sweetness and alcohol content.
Fermentation
Yeast is added to convert the sugars in honey into alcohol. This process can take several weeks to months.
Aging
Mead is usually aged, in stainless steel tanks or oak barrels, to develop its flavor and smooth out any harsh edges.
Clarification
Most mead is filtered or left to settle so it pours clear, without sediment.
Packaging
The finished mead goes into kegs, cans or bottles. Ours pours on draft at the tasting room and ships in cans and bottles.
How to Taste Mead
Four steps to get the most out of every glass
Look
Observe the color, clarity, and viscosity. Mead can range from pale gold to deep amber.
Smell
Swirl gently and inhale. Look for honey aromas, fruit notes, and any spice or floral elements.
Taste
Take a small sip and let it coat your palate. Notice the sweetness, acidity, and alcohol warmth.
Finish
Pay attention to the aftertaste. Good mead should have a pleasant, lingering finish.
Pro Tip: Serve your mead at 45-55°F for the best tasting experience!
Food Pairings
Mead pairs beautifully with a variety of foods
Cheese
Try with aged cheddar, blue cheese, or creamy brie for a perfect balance of flavors.
Fruit
Fresh berries, apples, and pears complement the natural sweetness of mead.
Meat
Pair with roasted chicken, pork, or game meats for a hearty meal experience.
Desserts
Sweet meads work beautifully with chocolate, honey cake, or fruit tarts.
Spicy Foods
The sweetness of mead can help balance spicy dishes and cool the palate.
Seafood
Lighter meads pair well with grilled fish, shrimp, or scallops.