Best Mead: Top Must Try Mead List for 2025

Best Sweet Mead

Butter Bee Mead

• Alcohol Content: 10% Alc
• Description: A dessert in a glass, Butter Bee Mead is a luscious blend of caramelized honey, smooth vanilla beans, and a touch of butter extract. The velvety sweetness and creamy finish make it a decadent treat for those with a sweet tooth. Perfectly balanced for sipping on its own or pairing with your favorite desserts, this mead delivers a truly indulgent experience.

Best Fruity Mead

Hound of Hades Mead

• Alcohol Content: 10% Alc
• Description: Sweet and bold, this mead is crafted with acai berries and black currants, delivering deep berry flavors balanced by light acidity. Made with local wildflower honey, it builds into a smooth sweetness that perfectly complements the rich fruit notes.

Best Canned Mead

Sparkling Pomegranate Mead

• Alcohol Content: 6% Alc
• Description: Light, refreshing, and delightfully effervescent, this canned mead is an ideal companion for any occasion. The vibrant pomegranate flavor offers just the right mix of sweetness and tartness, making every sip crisp and satisfying. Its convenient packaging makes it perfect for picnics, parties, or simply enjoying at home.

Best Seasonal Mead

Apple Pie Bourbon Mead

• Alcohol Content: 6% Alc
• Description: Cozy up with the comforting flavors of Apple Pie Bourbon Mead. Sweet notes of spiced apples blend seamlessly with hints of warm bourbon, creating a nostalgic fall-inspired drink. This seasonal favorite is perfect for enjoying by a fire or sharing at gatherings, making every moment feel special.

Best Semi-Sweet Mead

Smokin Hickory Barrel Aged Mead

• Alcohol Content: 13% Alc
• Description: Bold and complex, this semi-sweet mead is aged to perfection in hickory barrels. Notes of sweet smoke, rich honey, and oaky undertones create a unique drinking experience, while hints of citrus add a refreshing balance. Ideal for those who appreciate a sophisticated flavor profile with a touch of intrigue.

Best Dry Mead

Oregon Radish Blossom Mead

• Alcohol Content: 12.5% Alc
• Description: Elegantly crafted for those who enjoy a crisp, dry finish, Oregon Radish Blossom Mead brings a unique twist to the world of meads. Delicate floral aromas give way to tropical tart notes that dance on the palate, creating a sophisticated and refreshing drinking experience. Perfect for pairing with light dishes or as a stand-alone delight for dry-mead enthusiasts.

Best Spiced Mead

Spiced Mead from Hidden Legend Wineries

• Alcohol Content: 12% Alc
• Description: Bursting with classic flavors, this mead is infused with a rich blend of warming spices, creating a perfect harmony of sweetness and boldness. Crafted to complement savory dishes, its cinnamon and clove undertones pair wonderfully with pork or roasted turkey. A traditional favorite, this spiced mead is an inviting choice for cozy gatherings or celebratory feasts.

Best Sparkling Mead

Nectar of Valhalla Mead

• Alcohol Content: 11% Alc
• Description: This sparkling mead is a tribute to the gods themselves. With a vibrant nectar-like sweetness and refreshing notes of juicy nectarine, it delivers a light and bubbly sensory experience. Whether raising a toast or simply unwinding, Nectar of Valhalla Mead adds a celebratory flair to any moment.

Best Traditional Mead

Thor's Courage Mead

• Alcohol Content: 6% Alc
• Description: Embodying the strength and valor of its namesake, this mead is a classic, sweet creation made with the finest honey. With a smooth and pure honey-forward flavor, Thor’s Courage Mead is a delightful nod to tradition, perfect for both mead connoisseurs and those new to the drink.

Best Spicy Mead

Wild Blossom Pirate's Blood Chili Pepper Mead

• Alcohol Content: 12% Alc
• Description: For those with adventurous palates, Pirate’s Blood Chili Pepper Mead delivers sweet honey flavors infused with the bold heat of chili peppers. This fiery creation balances spiciness with just the right touch of honeyed sweetness, making it an exciting choice for spice lovers. Perfect as a conversation starter or paired with smoky barbecue dishes, it’s sure to leave a memorable impressio

Best session Mead

Loki's Vice

• Alcohol Content: 6% Alc
• Description: Mischievously bold and delicious, Loki’s Vice delights the senses with its rich flavors of elderberry and mulberry. Sweet and juicy, this mead offers a vibrant fruitiness that’s hard to resist. A perfect choice for those seeking a flavorful and adventurous drink to shake up their mead collection.

Best Coffee Mead

Coffee Mead

• Alcohol Content: 10% Alc
• Description: A match made in heaven for coffee lovers, this mead infuses high-quality honey with the robust and rich essence of freshly brewed coffee. The result is a sweet yet bold drink with a smooth finish that’s perfect for a cozy evening or as a unique after-dinner treat.

When judging mead we're looking for several factors including balance, aroma of honey, cleanliness of taste. We don't want any "off flavors" or "yeasty" notes. We don't want an overbalance of acid or sweetness that it overpowers the drink.

We're looking for tannins and clarity (haziness is ok as long as it doesn't distract from the overall experience of the mead!).

Mead ranges between 3.5 to 23% ABV (alcohol by volume).

• Traditional mead (Show mead): Honey, water, and yeast; 7.5 to 14% ABV
• Sack mead (Great mead): Higher ABV; 14 to 18%
• Hydromel (Session mead): More water than traditional mead; < 7.5% ABV

Mead is fermented honey. There are 3 simple ingredients to make mead that can be bought practically anywhere.

Mead = Honey + Water + Yeast

Mead is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages. The history of mead making is as old as beekeeping itself which is more than 10,000 years ago. As meadmaker's like to say "Mead is easy to make, but difficult to make well"