The historical record has shown evidence of mead-making on every continent except for Antarctica and no two methodologies of production are exactly the same. This time I would like to focus on a style of mead that comes to us all the way from Ethiopia, it is better known as T’ej. T’ej has been a staple in the Ethiopian culture for thousands of years and not only the national drink of Ethiopia but is commonly used in religious ceremonies, social events, weddings and the like. It is not an overly complex type of beverage to produce, but like so many other meads/wines, it’s flavor profile is prim ..read more

The name John Chapman probably means very little to most people, but that name is music when it comes to cider makers. Here is a clue about his identity; he was a lover of nature, ecology, the animal kingdom and preferred to be dressed in shabby attire vs. pomp apparel. Now mention the name “Johnny Appleseed” and images of a barefoot wanderer planting apple trees left and right suddenly pop into into our imaginations. What’s more, we think about his delicious apples gracing our tables, lunchboxes, and backpacks, but nothing could be further from the truth. In reality, John Chapman planted the ..read more

It is a common misconception by the public that all honeys are the same; “it comes from bees so it must taste the same”, well nothing could be further from the truth. Just like grapes, apples and so many other types of fruits, there are literally hundreds and hundreds of different varieties of honey and no two taste exactly the same. Some will exhibit more floral characteristics, others may have a stronger herbal quality, while others might even convey a musty barnyard smell and taste to the individual. There is orange blossom, star thistle, mountain sage, desert sage, western buckwheat, mead ..read more

Mead may seem like a one size fits all and the name only changes based on the brewer’s branding, however, mead is just as flexible as any other drink. Just like wine, cider, or beer, there are different mead flavors and categories that can fit a person’s palate, occasion, or event. While we won’t cover all the possible terms and categories, we will cover a few of the more popular options that you may not realize you’ve already tried.  Show, Short, and Sack Mead While mead flavors can vary by being amended with different ingredients ie. fruits, herbs, spices, some of the finest expression ..read more

Mead or Melomel? Which to choose? Or is there really a difference?  The short answer is both yes and no. Just like with other traditional hard drinks, it’s hard to place melomel into one specific category. In fact, this is a drink that has been around for so long that there are a lot of different varieties. There are a lot of things that are similar between mead and melomel that it’s sometimes easy to mix up the two.  Similarities between Mead and Melomel This is actually pretty straightforward. Both are basically brewed the same and can be considered meads. Both use honey and yeast ..read more

We’ll admit it, we’re obsessed with what we do and could talk about the craft and skill that comes with making mead. We could also go on and on about the rich history of mead, the history of the vikings and how they mastered mead making, and even mead’s presence in today's pop culture (we’re looking at you Vikings). Mead has played a big role in our lives, and it continues to play a big role in society and culture as well.  Since some of our new clan members might be new to mead, or some of our prospective clan members might be new to mead, we decided to answer one of the most important ..read more

We are often asked our opinion on different drinks, not just mead and cider. While we have talked about the differences between mead and wine, we wanted to talk a bit about some of the other wines people have asked about, specifically sweet white wine. Sweet white wine is stereotypically considered a drink for those just starting their wine tasting journey and is often disregarded as something just for “amateurs”. Despite the stuffiness of that thinking, there are some really great sweet white wines to consider. How Do You Choose a Good Wine? There are a few things to consider if you’re just ..read more

It’s time for our monthly promoted flavors of mead and cider on tap here at Twisted Horn! We have been working hard to give you exceptional experiences with our honey wine and cider that will be celebrated from the hills to the valleys! Or at least when you and your fellow travelers come and join us for a night of fantasy and adventure on our Wednesday D&D Nights each week. As with all our drinks, please enjoy responsibly, and stay safe within our mead hall and when you return to your home after celebrating with us. To the Core We’re keeping our drinks simple this month with To the Core ..read more

So you’re looking to make some homemade mead? We think that’s great!  While we have been making mead for many years now, we still had to start somewhere.  The best thing about this is that homemade mead is actually pretty simple to start, but it can take a while to get perfect. It’s not uncommon for your first batch to taste more like rocket fuel than sweet honey wine.  Preparation In order to get started on the right foot to make homemade mead, you need the right equipment. So before you start running off to the store, here is a list of equipment you need to make the best mead ..read more

In the United States, the popularity of mead has grown dramatically over the last decade, and the growth rate of mead makers and mead drinkers shows no signs of slowing down. As of 2014, there were a total of 194 mead producers across the nation, and 150 of those were considered meaderies. As Americans search for a new drink to enjoy outside of the usual mixed drinks or popular beer brands, the mead industry has continued to grow and create its own cult following. The popularity of mead doesn’t only stem from the need to find something new, but also the love of history behind mead, the cultur ..read more