Welcome to the Latest Buzz, where we bring you the most exciting news in the world of mead! In this edition, we cover the first commercial meadery in Arkansas, the launch of a premium Cellar Series line by Nectar Creek Meadery, and a triple bottle release by Brothers Drake Meadery. We also discuss what you should know about mead, the world's oldest alcoholic beverage, and the Nevada Craft Beverage Passport program. Lastly, we share exciting news about the "Good Fields'' Appalachian Food & Farms Festival and the 3rd Annual Sigurblot Viking Festival. So sit back, relax, and read on to learn more about the exciting developments in the world of mead!
First Commercial Meadmaking In Arkansas
 |
| Photo: Arkansas Meadery website |
Tony Fry, a small-town Arkansas native who works in information technology, is changing the state's reputation by founding the first meadery there. Fry, who is also a homebrewing enthusiast, opened Arkansas Meadery in a barn on his Saline County acreage in 2021. Today, he distributes mead to five Arkansas liquor stores around the state, with more to come. Despite its historical roots, mead is relatively unknown to modern audiences, especially in the US. However, there are about 500 commercial meaderies in the United States, an increase of 650% since 2003. Fry is part of the state's movement to revive the beverage's popularity. For the full article, click here.
Nectar Creek Meadery Launches Premium Cellar Series Line
 |
| Courtesy of Nectar Creek |
Oregon's Nectar Creek Meadery has launched its premium Cellar Series line with the release of Festoon, a mead made with plum and hibiscus. The Cellar Series is a rotating line of limited-edition meads made by the award-winning meadmakers at Nectar Creek. Mead is believed to be the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world and has been enjoyed by everyone from Vikings to royalty. Festoon is made with crimson hibiscus flowers, aromatic honey, and red plums, resulting in a tart and delicious beverage. The mead comes in cans and features a new look designed to appeal to craft enthusiasts across the country. For the full article, click here.
Triple Bottle Release At Brothers Drake Meadery
 |
| Courtesy of Brothers Drake Meadery |
This Saturday, March 26, Brothers Drake Meadery in Columbus, Ohio will be hosting a triple bottle release at Brothers Drake On 3rd (1025 W 3rd Avenue). Featured releases are Queen Bee, a Granny Smith apple mead aged in bourbon barrels, Pyrus, a honey and pear wine, and Peach Rush, a peach mead. For more information, visit brothersdrake.com.
What You Should Know About Mead, The World’s Oldest Alcoholic Beverage
Mead is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey with water, sometimes with the addition of fruits, spices, or grains. It has a long and storied history, with evidence of mead making dating back to ancient times in various cultures around the world.
 |
| AdobeStock |
One of the reasons for mead's recent surge in popularity is the growth of the craft beverage industry. Mead makers, like craft brewers, are experimenting with new ingredients and techniques, creating a wide range of styles and flavors to appeal to different tastes.
Mead is also appealing to those who are looking for a gluten-free alternative to beer or cider, as it is made from honey and does not contain grains.
In terms of taste, mead can range from dry and crisp to sweet and dessert-like, depending on the ingredients used and the fermentation process. It can also have a complex and nuanced flavor profile, with notes of honey, fruit, and spices.
Overall, mead is a unique and delicious beverage that is worth trying if you haven't already. With the growing popularity of craft mead makers, you may be able to find a local meadery and try some for yourself. For the full article, click here.
Breweries, Wineries And Distilleries Participating In Nevada Craft Beverage Passport
 |
| Nevada Craft Beverage Passport |
The Nevada Craft Beverage Passport is making a comeback for 2023, with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, Made in Nevada, and 44 local craft breweries, wineries, distilleries, and taprooms participating in the program (including Black Rabbit Mead Co. and Deadwood Meadery). Passports can be picked up and stamped at any participating location, with every visit earning participants a stamp. The more stamps you receive, the bigger the prize. Last year, an estimated $42,000 in additional beverage sales were made from the passport, and five winners of Made in Nevada's gift basket emerged at the end of 2022. This program aims to highlight craft beverage establishments across Nevada and support local businesses while offering fun incentives for passport holders. Learn more about the Nevada Craft Beverage Passport and view the full list of participating locations to pick up a passport at agri.nv.gov/passport. The full article can be found here.
“Good Fields” Appalachian Food & Farms Festival Launching This Summer
Good Fields is a new food festival in the Southeast that aims to raise awareness about the importance of local farms and support local agriculture. Hosted at the 150-year-old Shipley Farm in Vilas, North Carolina, the festival will feature 12 top chefs from across North Carolina, live music, local craft beer and wine (including Moonjoy Meadery), and vendors. The event will support programs that help sustain local food and farms, donating a percentage of proceeds to various initiatives. The festival's co-founder and host, Bob Shipley, hopes to strengthen the local agricultural community and bring attention to the decline of family farms in the High Country and across North Carolina. For the full article, click here.
3rd Annual Sigurblot Viking Festival
 |
| Courtesy of Four Brothers Meadery's Facebook page |
On Saturday, April 22nd, from noon - 9 pm (or later), Festus, Missouri’s Four Brothers Meadery is hosting the 3rd Annual Sigurblot Festival, one of the largest Viking festivals in the region. The festival will include vendors of handcrafted goods, live armored hand-to-hand combat, blacksmithing, fire and belly dancing, food trucks, live music, archery, and axe throwing. The event will also have a VIP tent for Mead Club members, drink specials, and fire pits to keep the air warm. The festival aims to provide an immersive experience of the Old World for its attendees. For more information, visit the Four Brothers Mead event page or fourbrothersmead.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment