One of the questions we hear is: “What is mead?”.
Mead, also known as Honey Wine, “Nectar of the Gods”, “Source of Inspiration”, is a uniquely delicious drink that has been around for centuries; dating back to approximately 6500-7000 BCE. We don't know exactly when it was created/discovered, but it is known as the oldest alcohol beverage in the world. Meadmaking has been around for thousands of years and analyzing clay pots found in archelogy digs back this up.
Historically, honey was easier and more robust to transport than grains. Honey and mead were traded within many different cultures and countries, making it a worldwide commodity. Ancient Egyptians were the best at making alcohol, including mead; they made it for religious, medicinal and celebratory reasons. There were three main places that ancient people could find alcohol; home, work and a “tavern”. Monasteries made their own mead for those same exact reasons, so mead was very important culturally. In ancient Greece, mead and wine were sophisticated and upscale drinks, whereas ale was more of a basic drink.
In Norse culture, Mead Halls were very important! There was always a reverence for mead because of it’s significance in that community. Mead Halls were a place to gather even in harsh conditions to connect with people, celebrate, tell stories, sing songs and of course to drink mead because it was a gift from the Gods. Even if there was no mead and only ale they still treated it as if it was mead because of how important it was to them.
“Although mead was enjoyed by many cultures throughout the ancient world, it was held in the highest regard by pre-Christain Scandinavian peoples. So much in fact that the God Odin worked for 3 days as a peasant slave and subsequently transformed into a snake in order to retrieve it from deep inside a mountain where it had been hidden. Obviously , something so coveted by the Gods would be quite sacred to the common folk of the time. Being shared with the community during important events such as midsummer and yule was done with the highest level of generosity. This sense of sharing and gathering together for celebration gave them the strength and resilience to preserve through the long, unforgiving winters of the far north. At Meadkrieger, we strive to embody those same ideals. The strength of community and generosity is second only to an amazing glass of mead, and the happiness to those who would like to share it. Skol!” - Eric D. (Head Brewer/ Owner).
“It's part of what being a human is about. That's the point of the Mead Hall, to unwind, connect with those around you, celebrate success, mourn loss and enjoy all of what life has to offer. It's a cornerstone of community; it's been with us for almost 10,000 years, and making it with passion furthers this tradition that has been a key part of our story as human beings.” - Matt A. (Owner/ Brewer).
From honey to glass; mead brings the community together. Skol!