Friday, December 5, 2008

Turning Honey Into Wine.

Drink.



Mead—made from fermented honey, not grapes—is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages in the world. I sampled my first glass of Mead at the Renaissance Faire in upstate New York. Although it takes a little getting used to, it is still a rare treat.


It smells a bit like honey and flowers, but with a sharp alcohol undertone. It doesn't taste sweet, but has a nutty, bitter-edged honeyed flavor, almost like dry sherry. I was drinking it alone, but it would probably be good with mild seafood or chicken.


In some parts of Europe it is traditional to give newlyweds enough Mead for a month, this is suppose to bring much happiness and fertility. Some believe this is where the word “honeymoon” originated. For many years the states where a bit Mead challenged, but thanks to Brother’s Brooklyn Buzz we to can have many smiling fertile couples.


Brooklyn Buzz’s Mead can be found at Chelsea Wine Vault and Astor Wine & Spirits for $13 a bottle. It is well worth trying at least once, especially since it is affordable, and you’ll be supporting a small, local, sustainable business. I recommend yelling “Huzzah” after each drink, it adds a little something.

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