Best Mead: Top Must Try Mead List for 2024

1. Best Super Sweet Mead
Figment Barrel Aged Mead

• Alcohol Content: 11% Alc
• Description: Crafted with decadent figs and aged on a maple syrup barrel, this mead has received an impressive 94 points from the Beverage Tasting Institute.

2. Best Sweet Sparkling Mead
Viking Rune Mead

• Alcohol Content: 11% Alc
• Description: Aged on oak for over 6 months, this mead is made with local meadowfoam blossom honey, offering a delightful sparkling experience.

3. Best Sweet Mead
Butter Bee Mead

• Alcohol Content: 10% Alc
• Description: Perfectly sweet, frothy, and creamy, this mead is crafted from caramelized honey, vanilla beans, lactose sugar, and a hint of butter extract.

4. Best Semi-Sweet Mead
Smokin Hickory Barrel Aged Mead

• Alcohol Content: 13% Alc
• Description: A traditional mead aged on smoked hickory barrels for 8 months, featuring delectable notes of sweet smoke, honey, citrus, and oak.

5. Best Spiced Mead
Spiced Mead from Hidden Legend Wineries

• Description: A rich and traditional spiced mead that pairs perfectly with pork and turkey dishes.

6. Best Off-Dry Mead
The Ringmaster Mead

• Alcohol Content: 12.5% Alc
• Description: An off-dry, sparkling mead crafted with luscious mulberries, offering a rich, tangy allure balanced with crisp, sparkling effervescence.

7. Best Canned Mead
Sparkling Pomegranate Mead

• Alcohol Content: 6% Alc
• Description: Made with pomegranates, passionfruit, and tangerines, this canned mead is a refreshing choice.

8. Best Dry Mead
Oregon Radish Blossom

• Alcohol Content: 12.5% Alc
• Description: Offers floral aromas with dry tropical tart notes, perfect for those who prefer a drier mead experience.

9. Best Spicy Mead
Wild Blossom Pirate's Blood Chili Pepper Mead

• Description: A bold mead infused with chili peppers for a fiery kick.

10. Highest Rated Mead
Figment Barrel Aged Mead

• Alcohol Content: 11% Alc
• Description: Crafted with decadent figs and aged on a maple syrup barrel, this mead has received an impressive 94 points from the Beverage Tasting Institute

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"