how mead built civilizations (kind of)
where it all began
The funniest part about mead’s origins is that… we literally have no idea when it started. Humans discovered mead by accident. Nature threw honey, water, and wild yeast together, and someone brave (or thirsty) enough took a sip. Suddenly humans were like, “Wait. This is good.” And history was born.
Archaeologists have found evidence of fermented honey drinks in China around 7000 BCE, which makes mead older than the pyramids and almost older than the concept of “time.” Meanwhile, African cultures like the Oromo and the Maasai have traditions of honey wine that stretch back thousands of years. The ancient Greeks were sipping it, the Vikings were chugging it, and medieval monks were perfecting it.
Basically, if humans existed, and honey existed, mead existed.
mead & mythology
Mead wasn’t just a drink. It was the drink.
- The Vikings believed mead was a gift from the gods. Their version of the “champagne of celebration” was mead, drunk from horns the size of your leg. Apparently, nothing screams “Skål!” like honey alcohol.
- The Greeks called it the “nectar of the gods.” Yes, the same gods who caused war, jealousy, and questionable family dynamics.. so you know mead made an impression.
- In Celtic cultures, mead was the drink of kings. No coronation or celebration was complete without it. If you were important, you drank mead.
It was also considered medicinal. People genuinely believed mead could cure sadness, nerves, stomach problems, and possibly broken hearts. Honestly, relatable.
mead goes medieval
In medieval Europe, mead hit its peak. Monks, royalty, and peasants. Everyone wanted a piece of the honey magic.
Honey was pricey, so mead became synonymous with luxury. Taverns offered cheap versions mixed with herbs, while monasteries created meads so complex that modern craft brewers still try to recreate them.
Fun fact: the term “honeymoon” comes from mead. Newlyweds were once given a month’s worth of honey wine to boost fertility and happiness. Whether it worked or not is still up for debate, but the tradition? Iconic.
the downfall (blame sugar & beer)
Mead’s fall from the throne was dramatic. As trade routes expanded and sugar became affordable, honey lost its spot as the main sweetener. Beer became cheaper and easier to make. Wine got classier and more accessible. And mead quietly slipped into the background like a forgotten medieval celebrity.
Honey stayed special, but mead? People just… moved on.
the sweet comeback
Fast-forward to today and mead is thriving again, thanks to craft brewers, cocktail culture, and people on the internet discovering that Vikings drank it so it must be cool.
Modern meaderies (like us!) experiment with:
- fruit-forward melomels
- crisp session meads
- spiced, wintery varieties
- cocktail-style blends
It’s a renaissance of creativity, and mead is finally getting the spotlight it deserves. Some might say it’s the perfect blend of ancient tradition and modern vibes.
why mead still matters
Mead is storytelling. It’s nostalgia. It’s history in a glass. It connects us to people who lived thousands of years ago, all through the simple magic of honey and fermentation.
Whether you drink it warm, cold, spiced, fruity, sparkling, or strong enough to change your night… you’re sipping the world’s oldest love potion. And honestly? That’s pretty sweet.