Mead Day is celebrated on the first Saturday of August each year. It’s a day to honor mead, an alcoholic drink made from honey that has been enjoyed since ancient times. Different ancient cultures have made mead and included it in their myths and stories. What makes mead special is that it’s made by fermenting honey with water, and comes in many types, such as still, sparkling, sweet, and dry.
History of Mead Day
Mead Day is a celebration for people who love mead and those who make it. Mead is an ancient alcoholic drink made by fermenting honey with water, and it has been enjoyed in Europe, Africa, and Asia for thousands of years.
There is evidence of mead brewing in pottery from northern China and ceramic containers in Europe. People in Ancient India and Ancient Greece also knew about and drank mead.
Making mead is a lot like making wine. You can use wine yeast for mead, and honey ferments at temperatures similar to grape juice used for wine.
However, mead gas has two stages of fermentation, unlike wine. The first fermentation happens quickly
After it slows down, the mead is transferred to another container through a process called racking, which uses gravity to move the liquid without disturbing it. The second, slower fermentation then takes place in the new container.
The primary fermentation of mead lasts about one to two months. After that, the mead is left to age in the second container for six to nine months. The length of fermentation and aging depends on factors like the quality and type of honey, other ingredients in the recipe, and the temperature of the environment.
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| 7000 B.C. (Mead is Made in Northern China) | Remains of honey, rice, and organic compounds produced due to fermentation are found on pottery fragments from ancient China. |
| 1700 B.C. (Mead is Mentioned in the Rigveda) | Mead is named ‘Soma’ in the “Rigveda,” one of the ancient books of the Vedic religion and modern-day Hinduism. |
| 500 (‘Song of Mead’ is written) | The Welsh bard Taliesin writes a poem about a great feast and feasting hall in the poem ‘Song of Mead.’ |
| 2002 (Mead Day is Instituted) | The American Homebrewers association set aside the first Saturday of August to officially celebrate mead. |
Five Interesting Facts About MEAD
- Mead can also be distilled to reach the alcohol level of a liqueur, and when it’s done this way, it might be called a whiskey.
- In the U.S., mead became known to the general public through small home meaderies, and eventually, commercial meaderies were set up.
- During Ancient Greece’s Golden Age from 500 to 350 B.C., mead was the most popular drink in the whole country.
- When taxes were imposed on alcoholic drinks, commercial mead became a rare and forgotten beverage until just recently.
- A naturalist named Columella, who was from Hispania and Rome, wrote a mead recipe in his farming book, De Re Rustica.
Conclusion
Mead Day on August 3, 2024, is a celebration of more than just a drink—it’s a tribute to an ancient tradition that has survived and thrived through centuries of change. From its origins in ancient civilizations to its modern-day revival, mead has been a symbol of celebration, connection, and craftsmanship.
Whether you’re a long-time mead enthusiast or a curious newcomer, Mead Day offers a wonderful opportunity to explore this historic beverage. By participating in Mead Day activities, you’re not only enjoying a unique drink but also connecting with a global community of mead lovers and honoring a tradition that spans millennia.
So raise your glass this August 3rd and toast to the timeless appeal of mead. Cheers to the past, present, and future of this extraordinary beverage!
Frequently Ask Question
Does mead make you fat?
Yes, mead can make you gain weight because it’s high in calories. Drinking too much can impact your health.
What is the sweetest mead?
Chaucer’s Mead is known to be the best sweet mead made with pure honey.
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