FAQs
Mead (aka honey-wine) is rapidly becoming the “next big thing” in the craft beverage world. Though it is considered by many to be the oldest form of alcohol, it is relatively new to the United States. Because this honey-based beverage is new to the party, there are many misconceptions about what it is or is not. We have compiled a list of common questions and answers to demystify this ancient drink.
what is mead?
What makes mead different from other forms of alcohol? You may know beer is fermented from grains, wine from grapes, and cider from apples or pears, but mead is fermented from honey. In the same way that different ingredients (such as fruits and spices) are added to beer and cider, mead also benefits from blending unique flavors.
Is mead beer?
No. This is one of the most common misconceptions about mead. Beer is made with grain and must undergo a process called “brewing” to extract the sugar from the grains, which is then fermented. Mead skips the brewing process and is fermented from honey, which is a natural sugar source.
Is mead wine?
Legally, yes. Technically, no. The United States government and most states categorize mead as wine for tax purposes, because it is produced by fermentation and does not require grain. Because of this categorization, mead must adhere to regulations for wine and is restricted in the types of ingredients that are used. Though the term “wine” is very broad, it commonly refers to alcohol fermented from grapes. In contrast, mead refers to alcohol fermented from honey.
What does mead taste like?
Because mead is made from honey, you may expect it to be very sweet. While this is certainly possible, mead can be both sweet and dry - meaning it can have high or low sugar content. The sugar content only plays a small part in the overall flavor of the mead. When mead is blended with other fruits and spices, it takes on the characteristics of those ingredients. The honey helps bring the flavors together in the tasty little concoction we call mead.
If you’d like to know what some of our mead tastes like, you can check out our tasting videos HERE.
Does mead contain grapes?
No. Well, it not usually. Though it is legally categorized as “wine”, mead is fermented from honey and does not require the use of grapes. However, there is a style of mead known as a pyment which is fermented with both honey and grapes.
What is the alcohol content of mead?
The U.S. government restricts wine to 0.5% — 24% ABV (IRC) (27 CFR part 24); however, the only technical limitation is the type of yeast used and the quantity of honey.
Is mead healthy?
Honey has many proven health benefits; however, it is unclear how many (if any) of those benefits make it through the fermentation process. We drink mead because we enjoy it not because we’re on a diet.
Is mead carbonated?
It can be. Carbonated, it is called “sparkling,” un-carbonated, it is “still.”
Can you age mead like wine?
Yes. Many unopened meads above 12% ABV will age for many years or decades.
How should I store my mead?
Optimal storage for mead is inside your belly, but we understand some people like to save it for later. While we may not share your enthusiasm for delayed gratification, we’re happy to provide some general guidelines for storing your liquid gold.
General guidelines for storing mead:
Avoid direct sunlight
Store in a dark and cool area
Is mead gluten-free?
Yes! In the U.S., any products categorized as “wine” (including mead) can not contain grain. However, there is a style of beer that is fermented with both honey and grain called a braggot. A braggot is commonly considered a style of mead if honey makes up 50% or more of the fermentable sugars.
Can mead last forever like honey?
No. Honey is one of the only known foods that can last indefinitely. The natural process of fermentation physically and chemically alters the honey, so it cannot last forever. So you should drinker it sooner rather than later.
How much honey is in mead?
A lot. Seriously though, it depends on the batch of mead. At Artivem Mead Co., we typically use a ratio of 1 part honey to 5 parts water. So in a 500-gallon batch of mead that’s 100 gallons of honey!
Is mead sweet?
Yes and no. Mead contains the same sugar content as beer or grape wine, so it ranges from dry to sweet. Because the flavor of honey is associated with sweet, even dry meads are occasionally perceived as sweet, though they do not contain any residual sugars.
Is mead vegan?
No. Mead is made from honey, which is produced by honey bees.
How long does mead last?
It depends on many factors. The amount of honey, types of ingredients used, alcohol content, bottle closure, bottle type, and exposure to oxygen and sun all play a part in the longevity of your mead.
In most cases, meads containing hops, coffee, or other expressive flavors are best enjoyed fresh and should not be stored long-term. Over time, these prominent flavors will lose their “punch,” “kick,” or whatever anthropomorphism you choose to attach to a taste.
Unopened:
Many unopened meads above 12% ABV will age for many years or decades.
Opened:
Once a bottle of mead is opened, we recommend finishing it within 1 to 4 weeks for the best experience. Be sure to reseal the bottle after pouring a glass and use a wine-preserving gas if you want to store it for longer than two weeks. Exposure to oxygen (or oxidation) plays the most significant role in your mead’s longevity.
Should mead be served chilled or at room temperature?
It depends on your preference. Chilling any beverage hides a lot of the natural flavor (this is why many companies recommend serving their drinks cold). At Artivem Mead Co., we recommend serving our mead between 60–65 degrees and letting it warm up to room temperature while drinking. This lets you experience the flavors opening up.
Does mead contain sulfites?
Yes. Sulfites are produced in all fermentations naturally. In general, mead requires significantly less sulfite than its grape wine counterpart. At Artivem Mead Co., we only add sulfites once during the process.
Are you concerned about bees dying off?
The bee crisis is very concerning to us as human beings that eat food and enjoy being alive on earth. As mead makers, we use such a small amount of honey compared to how much is produced that we don’t expect the crisis to prevent us from making mead in the near future. But it is a very real issue, and measures must be taken to ensure the health of the bees. Our ongoing support for apiaries helps keep the bees alive and gives beekeepers more time to find a solution to the problem.
Can I ship mead?
Yes! We ship to 37+ states. CLICK HERE to view all of the mead we have available for shipping as well as all of the states we ship to.