Clear Skies Meadery will be closing at 6PM to 10PM for a private event on November 15th
On Saturday, February 28th, Clear Skies Meadery will be closed until 3 PM for a private party. Want to host your own event with us? Reach out through the contact form on our Events page!
Mead, often referred to as “honey wine,” is an ancient beverage experiencing a resurgence in popularity across the United States, Europe, and parts of Asia. This drink, predating agriculture, is unique in history as one of the earliest known alcoholic beverages. Honey wine, a term often used when grape or fruit wines have been fortified with honey for added sweetness, can often confound the consumer. True mead is a drink made by fermenting honey with water and yeast added to it in varying proportions.
The origins of mead are deeply rooted in various cultures around the globe:
Ancient Texts: The Rigveda, an ancient Hindu text (1500-1000 BCE), mentions a honey-based beverage akin to mead.
Greece: In ancient Greece, mead was revered as the “nectar of the gods.”
Vikings and Germanic tribes consumed it during feasts and ceremonies.
Medieval Europe: Mead was a popular drink, especially in regions where wine was scarce.
Asia: Traces of mead were found in Northern China (7,000-6,600 BCE).
Ethiopian “tej,” made with honey and gesho leaves, is a beverage with a tannic flavor and was consumed by the royalty.
Mead was in some form consumed by almost all cultures across the world. The Vikings were not the first culture to make mead, but definitely one of the most copious consumers of the drink based on the historical facts. Viking women were renowned for their artistic skills in making mead, and it was a craft passed down through generations.
Mead comes in various types, each offering distinct taste profiles:
Traditional Mead: Made with honey, water, and yeast, showcasing natural honey flavors. Clear Skies Meadery’s orange blossom mead is dry, comparable to demi-sec prosecco.
Melomel: Infused with fruits like berries, peaches, or citrus. Black currant mead is semi-sweet, balancing tartness with sweetness.
Pyment: Combines honey with grapes, varying in sweetness. Red and green grape pyments offer dry or sweet options.
Cyser: Blends honey with apples, creating a sweet-tart profile. Clear Skies’ apple pie mead, made with Northern Spy apples, is semi-sweet with spicy notes.
Metheglin: Spiced mead, often with vanilla, cinnamon, or nutmeg. Clear Skies’ vanilla oak mead features Hungarian and French oak aging.
Mead’s taste varies based on the type of honey and the fruits, spices, and herbs added during the process of fermentation:
Honey Types: Orange blossom honey yields sweeter, lighter mead; buckwheat honey offers darker, earthier tones. Meadowfoam honey has marshmallow and vanilla notes, while wildflower honey varies by region.
Clear Skies sources its honey from Bee Seasonal. We use organic highland wildflower honey, organic Polyflora honey, and organic orange blossom honey.
Mead’s rise in popularity is driven by:
Consumer Demand: Seekers of unique beverages appreciate mead’s diverse flavors.
Versatility: Pairs well with various foods, from cheese to desserts. Suitable as a standalone drink or cocktail ingredient.
Session Meads: Lower alcohol content (3.5-7% ABV) makes them accessible and refreshing. Clear Skies offers sparkling, fruity session mead options ideal for casual sipping.
Mead contains antioxidants from honey, potentially offering immune-boosting properties. However, moderation is key due to its alcohol content.
Experience a variety of handcrafted meads at Clear Skies Meadery, ranging from dry to sweet. Visit the store, attend events, or order online for convenience. Most meads are aged 3 months to a year, ensuring quality and consistent taste.
Mead’s rich history and diverse flavors make it a compelling choice for those seeking a unique beverage. We at Clear Skies offer a selection of seasonal and year-round meads at our tasting room for you to come and sample. Join us at our special food and chocolate pairing events, or just stop by and try a flight of mead.
Keep up with the latest and greatest from our wonderful world of Mead.
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Keep up with the latest and greatest from our wonderful world of Mead.