MEAD DAY
Fast Facts
- CELEBRATION
- Increase awareness among homebrewers, commercial mead makers, and enthusiasts
- CELEBRATED
- Each year the first Saturday in August
- CREATOR
- Created in 2002 by The American Homebrewers Association
- VIBE
- Enthusiastic, craftsmanship, camaraderie
MEAD DAY
Mead Day, celebrated on the first Saturday in August, increases awareness and fosters camaraderie among homebrewers, commercial mead makers, and enthusiasts around the globe. Known for its rich history and ancient craftsmanship, mead carries a legacy as unique as the honey used to brew it.
#MEADDAY
Often called "honey wine," "ambrosia," or "nectar of the gods," mead is widely recognized as the ancestor of all fermented beverages. At its simplest, a meadmaker combines three primary ingredients: honey, water, and yeast. Because August falls during the peak of honey harvest season, Mead Day shines a spotlight on this essential ingredient and the time-honored tradition of honey cultivation.
Mead has been known to be called the “ancestor of all fermented drinks.”
The flavor of mead varies depending on the ingredients added to the fermentation. Anything from seasonal fruits, herbs, and blossoms can be added. Additionally, some mead makers carbonate their beverages like beer, sparkling cider, or wine. For a more hoppy flavor, makers add hops to the recipe. In addition to hops, producers distill mead. The result creates a more liqueur quality mead producing a brandy.
Flavor Profiles & Styles
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Varietal Honey - The floral source, such as orange blossom, clover, wildflower, or buckwheat, defines the foundational flavor and color.
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Fruit Infusions - Incorporating berries, stone fruits, or citrus adds vibrant sweetness and tartness.
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Spiced Mead - Herbs, spices, and floral blossoms create aromatic complexity.
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Apple or Grape Hybrids- Blending honey with apple cider creates a cyser, while combining it with wine grapes produces a pyment.
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Hopped & Carbonated - Adding hops lends a crisp, beer-like bitterness, while carbonation can range from lightly sparkling to fully effervescent.
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Distillation - Distilling fermented mead yields rich honey spirits and brandies with deep, warm character.
HOW TO OBSERVE MEAD DAY
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Sample a Flight by visiting a local meadery or craft bottle shop to try different styles, from bone-dry to rich and sweet.
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Support local beekeepers, farmers, and orchards. Mead production relies directly on healthy bee populations and sustainable agriculture.
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Start your first homebrew fermentation and share a batch with friends.
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Pair dry meads with sharp cheeses and savory meats, or sweet fruit meads with spicy dishes and desserts.
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Share photos of your favorite meads or brewing setup on social media using the hashtag #MeadDay.
MEAD DAY HISTORY
The American Homebrewers Association created Mead Day in 2002 to honor the ancient beverage and encourage homebrewers to explore honey fermentation together.