What Exactly Is Mead?

Mead is fermented honey. That is the short answer. The longer answer is that mead is one of humanity's oldest fermented beverages, predating both wine and beer in written record.

How Is It Made?

Honey is diluted with water, yeast nutrients are added, and then yeast ferments the sugars into alcohol. The result can range from bone dry to dessert-sweet, still to sparkling, and simple to complex depending on what fruit, spice, or grain is added alongside the honey.

Types of Mead

• Traditional — honey, water, yeast. Nothing else.
• Melomel — mead made with fruit.
• Metheglin — mead made with herbs or spices.
• Cyser — mead made with apple juice or cider.