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popularity of mead

Why Is Mead Not More Popular?

A lot of people wonder why is mead not popular and it’s a good question. It’s delicious, been around for thousands of years, and yet most people just don’t drink it. That can be an issue as mead not being as popular as wine can give the impression it isn’t as good as other drinks, though if any of you have tasted it you know that isn’t true.

So, what gives? Is it priced too high? Is it just rare and difficult to make? 

Let’s go over why you don’t see aisles of mead in your local grocery. 

Ready to give mead a try? Check out Hidden Legend Winery’s Mead Collection and discover just how versatile and delicious this ancient drink can be. Looking for a unique gift idea? Their Gift Shop has plenty of mead-inspired treasures to share with friends and family.

Back on the Scene

For the longest time mead was relegated to medieval reenactments and period films. It’s easy to see why no one thought it was a drink still available and it wasn’t till recently that homebrewing laws were struck down or relaxed. With the influx of people making their own brews came both the craft beer movement and the reintroduction of mead. 

Mead hasn’t been served in the states beyond rare occasions here and there, usually surrounding a Viking or medieval theme. Even then, it just wasn’t made. There were less than 25 meaderies in the 90s but, thankfully that has grown to over 500. 

It’s All About the Bees

Mead is known as the honey-wine and its base is, you guess it, honey. The bee population is dwindling due to the use of pesticides and other farming techniques. So, meaderies are having to produce their own honey and that can be very tough nowadays.

Also, knowing the reasons why bees are quickly in danger of becoming extinct, meaderies have to use other forms of beekeeping. Half of making mead is making interesting honey. You’ve seen all the different variations, from clove to orange blossom. If it’s getting harder to even have bees, it is going to be more difficult to play with the honey. 

Hopefully, we can save our black and yellow buds. Though, as mead gets more popular perhaps that will be a big fight against their extinction. 

Mead Vs Wine and BeerHigh Culture Class

One of the reasons to consider when asking why is mean not popular versus wine is how they are both seen. Mead is so associated with the “unruly” pillaging of the Vikings and the lower classes of the medieval era while wine is associated with high-class society that what do you think people drink when wanting to be fancy? You guessed it, wine.

Mead hasn’t seeped into the culture as a high-brow drink and that is a shame since it is the drink of the gods. Royalty, religious leaders, even those who were worshipped drank mead. One of the prayers to a deity is literally a recipe for mead!

Changing this is up to every mead drinker. Going to a fancy party or bringing someone special over for a romantic dinner? Serve honey-wine. Help it get seen as the high-class drink it is. Then we’ll no longer have to ask why is mead not popular. 

Just Takes Time

While mead is still mostly an underground drink, that is starting to change. Thanks to the relaxation of brewing laws, more and more meaderies are popping up. There are more mead tastings at beer and wine events, people are starting to ask for their local liquor stores to carry it, etc. That’s how it’ll change from why is mead not popular to when was it ever not?

It’ll just take time is all.

If you haven’t’ tried mead, you can always order it and have it delivered to your door. If you find you like it, ask your local store to carry it. That is how we’ll make sure mead is here to stay and that you can enjoy more and more varieties. One thing about something becoming popular is it increases the chances for different companies to try different things to remain competitive.

So, while we may not have the widest selection among the existing meaderies, you can see that changing lately. Brewers are getting more and more creative due to mead crossing into the mainstream. Do your part to make mead popular. Share it with friends, ask for it to be stocked, and tell people you enjoy it. Heck, if you like a particular bar to hang out at then ask them to have it as well. They aren’t likely to decline, it means you’ll come to them near exclusively. 

Now that you know why mead isn’t as popular as it should be, you can help change that. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mead, and how is it different from other alcoholic beverages?


Mead is an ancient drink made by fermenting honey with water, and it often includes fruits, spices, or herbs for flavor. Unlike beer, which uses grains, or wine, which is made from grape juice, mead’s primary ingredient is honey. Mead makers use fermentable sugars from honey in the fermentation process, often combined with wine yeast or wild yeasts, to create this unique drink. Mead can be sweet, dry, or even sparkling meads, offering a variety of flavors unmatched by other alcoholic beverages.

Why is mead not as popular as beer or wine?


Mead has a long history but fell out of favor due to the accessibility of grains for beer and grape juice for wine making. Additionally, commercial mead production has historically been limited compared to these other alcoholic beverages. The mead making process can be more costly, requiring how much honey is needed to create good mead. However, with increasing interest in craft beverages, traditional mead and sparkling meads are making a comeback among enthusiasts.

Is mead difficult to make at home?


Making mead at home is relatively simple compared to beer or wine making. Mead makers often start with a basic recipe using water, more honey or less honey (depending on sweetness preference), and dried yeast or wine yeasts for primary fermentation. The fermentation process typically takes a few weeks to months, but creating a show mead, which focuses on honey’s pure flavor, might require more attention to detail for good mead results.

What types of mead are available to try?


There are many types of mead, ranging from sweet mead to dry and sparkling varieties. Traditional mead highlights the pure, unflavored fermented mixture of honey and water, while flavored meads may include fruits, spices, or herbs. Mead makers are experimenting with exciting varieties, including sparkling meads that resemble champagne or cider. Whether you prefer sweeter or more complex alcoholic beverages, there’s a mead for you.

Why does mead take longer to ferment than other drinks?


The fermentation process for mead depends on the amount of fermentable sugars in honey. Honey, unlike grape juice or malted grains, takes longer for yeast to break down. Wild yeasts or dried yeast can be used, but the primary fermentation may require additional time to ensure the sugars are fully converted into alcohol. The process of making mead might seem slow, but the results—a flavorful and high-quality drink—are worth the wait.

How can mead gain more popularity?


Commercial mead production and increased awareness are key to making mead more mainstream. Mead makers are now crafting innovative styles like sparkling meads and promoting the versatility of traditional mead as an alternative to other alcoholic beverages. As more people discover how good mead can be, thanks to its amazing quality and unique flavors, mead has the potential to take its rightful place among popular drinks like beer and wine.

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