Have you met mead? The fermented honey drink has roots that date back over 8,000 years — before wine, possibly made by accident and storied in mystical intrigue. The historically ancient fermented beverage is made with honey, yeast and water, sometimes with the additions of fruits, spices, hops and grains. Channeling our great ancestors, curious fermenters have spent years putting mead back on the radar. Lucky for us, the Pacific Northwest is flourishing with mead and it is gaining traction in popularity, making it easy to track down. Honey grown in the PNW is some of the richest, most decadent of the bunch you can find. Dip your toes into the mead pool with these five selections.
Nectar Creek | Waggle
This signature made by Nectar Creek is crafted in the heart of Corvallis, Oregon. Using the essence of Oregon wildflower honey, this sessionable mead is booming with notes of floral fruits and sticky honeycomb. The Waggle has a full body with a smooth, dry finish to balance the vanilla flavors and fruity tartness. A light and refreshing mead, it’s perfect to enjoy throughout the summer or during the winter months to remind you of pleasant, warm memories.
Sky River Meadery | Semi-Sweet Mead
The award-winning meadery based in Redmond, Washington, crafts dry meads, sweet meads, infused honey wines and everything in between. The Semi-Sweet is a hit across the country and even further throughout the world. It’s a great introductory mead as it’s not overwhelmingly sweet, but it’s also not too dry. A nice, crisp mouthfeel with hints of pear, candied ginger and slightly crystalized sugar. This mead pairs nicely with Asian cuisine such as spicy ramen or stir-fry due to the exotic Asian notes.
Golden Age Meadery | Midsummer
A uniquely sweet mead, this pink drink will transport you back to Shakespearean times with notes of rose petals, light rosemary and cinnamon throughout the full bodied pour. Sold exclusively throughout British Columbia, the Richmond-based meadery keeps it local with their product. The Midsummer is a must-try for the upcoming year if you’re looking to branch out in the beverage world. Pair with Italian comfort foods such as spaghetti carbonara and crispy garlic bread.
Hidden Legend Winery | Pure Honey Mead
Located in the mountainous ranges of Montana, Hidden Legend Winery began crafting mead in 2001 and has been crafting premium-quality products ever since. Stylized after semi-dry table wines, the Pure Honey mead captures flavors of wildflower honey, vanilla and waxy earthiness without overbearing the palate with sweetness. Pouring a clear, light golden hue, this mead is very pleasing with a slight alcohol burn to warm the senses. Enjoy at room temperature or slightly chilled with spicy, flavorful dishes.
Kookoolan Farms | Elegance
In the heart of Yamhill, adjacent to Oregon Wine Country, Kookoolan Farms is family-owned and-operated producing meats, kombucha and mead with local ingredients. This mead is particularly unique because it is crafted using the whole hive, meaning pollen, royal jelly, propolis, bee’s wax and honey, during fermentation. This semi-sweet sipper is made without high-heat pasteurization, keeping all the minerals, vitamins and natural flavors intact. Pair with fresh-out-the-oven biscotti to have a crumbly, dense texture alongside the elegant mead.
