Mead is an ancient Indian alcoholic beverage made from honey that dates back to the 2nd millennium BCE. Commonly associated with the Vikings, mead has been a staple in multiple European cultures for centuries. To learn more about this legendary drink, read below.

The 4 Common Types of Mead

1. Traditional Mead

Mead is an alcoholic beverage made out of honey. It’s fermented using water and yeast. Also known as “honey wine,” the mixture has an alcohol content of 14%. This traditional beverage has a potent amount of honey because the fermenting process burns more of the alcohol then the water and yeast.

2. Melomel

Similar to conventional wine, melomels are made with fruit, including cyser (cider or apple juice), pyment (wine or grapes), rubamel (raspberries), or morat (mulberries). These are the most popular flavors, but they always include a mixer of mead and a type of fruit. The alcohol content is below 10% but usually sits around 7.5%, similar to a beer.

3. Metheglin

This type has mead flavored with herbs and spices, like a mulled mead. Popular varieties are Celteg, made with mint, and Afon Mel, made with ginger. Rosehips and Himalayan spices are commonly found in commercial metheglin. Similar to melomel, they have a low alcohol content of 5% to 10%.

4. Braggot

Made with barley and hops, Braggots mix beer with mead to make this popular drink founded in Wales. Alternatively, this drink can also be mixed with ale. Braggots will always have a hop flavor with an added hint of honey. The alcoholic content can range from 7.5% to 15% or more, depending on the age of the alcohol.

If you’re interested in trying different types of Mead, Manoa Honey in Oahu, HI, mow distributes and sells this traditional beverage. As the only beekeeping company on Oahu, they are committed to protecting the ecosystem by planting unique flora for them to live on. Since 1989, they have served the whole Honolulu County fresh honey products. Call (808) 927-0501 for more information or visit their website to browse their inventory.