These days, a lot of drinks tend to come in and out of style each year. However, one of the most interesting, and oldest, drinks around is mead. Still, despite being around for thousands of years, many modern drinkers might not know exactly what’s in the mix. This knowledge can help you better appreciate a historical classic…
Mead: A Historical Classic
What it is
Mead (sometimes called honey wine) is a drink that many people associate with the Medieval era. It’s also commonly seen as a go-to drink of choice for characters in Medieval fiction, from Beowulf to Lord of the Rings. In fact, you might most commonly see it at Renaissance fairs, despite the somewhat inaccurate time frame.
However, because it is quite an older drink, many people have some misconceptions about what it is. Some might think it’s just an older version of beer. Others might consider it a wine, as its alternate name implies. In reality, it actually has its own little niche which it fits into.
Making the drink
The reason mead stands in its own unique spot is because of the taste, which comes from its ingredients. Most of the ingredients are what you would expect for a simple fermented alcohol. This means water, yeast, and some spices or fruits if you want some extra flavor, like with craft beers.
However, the unique ingredient for this drink is honey. This is what sets it apart from its cousins of beer and cider. The more natural and pure the honey is, the better it’ll mix into the drink. Due to the honey, mead ends up having an interesting flavor, sitting a bit closer to the hard cider side.
Tasting it today
After learning about mead, many people because interested in trying it out for themselves. After all, there must’ve been a reason it was so popular for so long. As it turns out, mead is experiencing a bit of a resurgence in America, making it easier to try now more than ever.
Mead can usually be bought from places that sell distilled alcohol. Some producers even sell it directly from their breweries. Plus, if you have a home brewing kit, you can make your own brews at home. However, just keep in mind the process is a little bit different from making beer.
