Mead used to be seen as a throwback to a bygone age, associated with Viking feasts and feudal banquets. Fast forward to the 21st century and the resurgence of the world's oldest known alcoholic drink has gained plenty of traction with a new generation of young brewers wooing a similarly young fan base. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global mead beverage market is projected to grow from $488 million in 2021 to over $1.6 billion in 2028. So, the future shows plenty of promise for this ancient tipple.
Mead is made by fermenting honey with water, but sometimes fruit, spices, hops or grains are added too. Dry and crisp or sweet and rich, still or sparkling, low alcohol or high strength, it's a very versatile drink with many different styles and flavours. It also fulfils many of the criteria important to the modern consumer.
Mead uses much less water than beer and so has low impact on the planet and its resources. It's an environmentally friendly and sustainable beverage made from three core ingredients - water, honey, and yeast.
The mead industry encourages the maintenance of hives and we all know how important bees are to any local ecosystem. Additionally, as many people look to lower their alcohol intake but still have flavourful drinks, there is plenty in the category around the 4% ABV level to satisfy those needs. The honey-based beverage is also a great cocktail ingredient and can be found in many bars and restaurants.
Earlier this year, the UK's first Meadfest took place at Gosnells Tap Room on London's Bermondsey Beer Mile. Featuring 12 meaderies from around the UK in the same room, it was a joyful reminder of how much variety and innovation exists within this category.
The meaderies taking part in the UK's inaugural Meadfest 2023 included Gosnells, Lyme Bay Winery, Lancashire Mead Company, Shire Meadery, Great British Mead Company, brood Meadery, Afon Mel, Wye Valley Meadery (now Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co. - see below), Stoneforge Mead, Nidhoggr Mead Co. and Mountain Mead.
Chepstow-based Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co. (formerly Wye Valley Meadery) was established by beekeepers-turned-brewers, brothers Kit and Matt Newell, in 2018, with the aim of being at the forefront of the growing UK mead movement.
Kit Newell, co-founder at Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co.
They make a range of still and sparkling meads in Caldicot, Monmouthshire, using honey from their bee hives in the beautiful Wye Valley. Additionally, their raw, unblended, not heat treated, single source, single hive Wye Valley unprocessed honey is a two-time Great Taste 1* award winner.
Hive Mind Big Smoke is a 7% ABV, bottle-conditioned smoked honey porter, described by the brewers as "our take on a classic London Porter, but with a rural twist". The beer is brewed using honey from their bees, Bramling Cross hops and dark malted barley smoked over beechwood. In 2022, it was awarded three stars at The Great Taste Awards.
Hive Mind Big Smoke Smoked Honey Porter costs £21 from the company website for a case of six 330ml bottles.
Colour: Dark brown.
Nose: Aromas of malt, honey, demerara sugar, smoky embers and a hint of damson fruit.
Palate: Rich, complex, smooth and smoky with notes of honey, smoked nuts, molasses, malt, roasted coffee bean and hints of salted liquorice, balanced by a refreshingly bitter hop and cocoa edge that carries on to a long, dry finish.
For more information on mead and the modern resurgence in the UK led by Gosnells, check out a previous article on the Write Taste.
