Mead
Mead – a honey wine with a history stretching back thousands of years – is a must-have at every medieval market, re-enactment camp and LARP site. Here you’ll find a selection of meads in various sweetness levels and bottle sizes, suitable for everything from a Viking drinking horn to a cosy gathering around the table.
What is mead? Honey wine from antiquity to the present day
Mead is one of humanity’s oldest fermented drinks. Its basic principle is incredibly simple: honey, water and yeast – no grapes, no grain. Archaeological finds from the Bronze and Iron Ages prove that mead was known across much of Europe long before beer or grape wine came to the fore.
In Germanic, Celtic and Viking cultures, mead held a special place. It was not an everyday drink for the common folk, but stood for community, ritual and prestige. Entertaining guests meant filling the cup – with mead. In keeping with this cultural significance, sagas and historical sources have handed down recipes and drinking customs to us that have scarcely changed in their basic structure to this day. Modern mead essentially follows the same principles as its historical predecessors: honey is fermented with water, the yeast converts the sugar into alcohol, and the result is a distinctive drink with an unmistakable honey flavour.
Dry, semi-sweet or sweet – which mead suits you?
Dry
Dry mead emphasises the natural character of the honey without any pronounced sweetness. It pairs excellently with savoury dishes such as roasts, sausages or cheese – much like a dry white wine. For anyone who wants to experience mead not as a sweet drink, but as a distinctive accompaniment.
Semi-sweet
The semi-sweet mead strikes a balance between honeyed flavour and pleasant sweetness. It is accessible to newcomers and versatile – ideal enjoyed neat, during cosy get-togethers in the taproom, or as an easy introduction to the world of honey wine.
Sweet
This sweet mead, at 10.5% ABV, is the classic market mead: full-bodied, warm and full of character. Particularly popular at medieval and Viking markets, it is also perfect as a digestif after a meal or for relaxing by the campfire.
Bottle sizes at a glance: Elixir bottle, Euro bottle and more
| Format | Volume | Ideal for | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small elixir bottle | 0.2 l | Single serving, market souvenir, gift | from €4.96 |
| Large elixir bottle | 0.5 l | Personal enjoyment, small gatherings | from €7.52 |
| Euro bottle | 1.0 l | Groups, camps, regular enjoyment | from €7.52 |
All three sizes are available in dry, semi-sweet and sweet varieties. The 0.2-litre Elixir bottle is particularly suitable as a compact market gift or for anyone who wants to try different styles without any fuss. The 1-litre Euro bottle is ideal for groups and camp communities who enjoy mead regularly.
Mead in a medieval context: history, myth and market enjoyment
In Norse mythology, mead is far more than just a drink. Skaldenmead – the poets’ mead of the Edda – was brewed from the blood of the wise giant Kvasir and bestowed poetic gift and wisdom upon the drinker. Odin himself captured him through cunning. This mythological significance demonstrates the status honey wine held in the Germanic imagination: it was a drink of the gods, a status symbol and a link between humans and the supernatural all at once.
At real-life festivals and during the formation of alliances, mead played a ceremonial role – the shared cup sealed treaties and friendships. This tradition lives on at modern medieval and Viking markets. Drinking mead from a drinking horn or a medieval clay jug makes the setting more authentic – and the experience more immersive. Re-enactment groups striving for historically accurate portrayals consistently opt for mead rather than modern alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about buying mead
No. Mead is made from honey, water and yeast – no grains, no gluten. Honey wine is therefore suitable for people with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease. For special spiced mead varieties, it is advisable to check the ingredients list of the respective product.
That depends on the style. Dry mead develops its full aroma at room temperature or slightly chilled (10–14 °C). Semi-sweet and sweet meads also taste best slightly chilled, but can also be enjoyed at room temperature. The full experience is best enjoyed from a drinking horn, clay jug or simple wooden cup.
Yes. Hot mead is particularly popular at winter markets and Advent events. To make it, the honey wine is gently warmed (do not boil), optionally flavoured with spices such as cinnamon or cloves. Semi-sweet and sweet mead are particularly well suited to this preparation.
Unopened, mead will keep for several years if stored in a cool, dark place. Once opened, it should be consumed within a few weeks – best kept in the fridge and the bottle tightly sealed.
Both terms refer to the same drink. ‘Mead’ is the historical abbreviation from the Germanic languages, whilst ‘honey wine’ is the descriptive German term that refers to the drink’s base ingredient. In the scene, both terms are equally common; in shops, ‘honey wine’ is often used to make the product easier to categorise.
Whether you enjoy dry mead with a meal, semi-sweet on its own or sweet by the campfire – choose your style, your format and order right here. Cheers!