National Mead Day

Mead Day is a vibrant celebration of mead, an alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey. This special day highlights the variety and rich history of mead, bringing people together to explore different flavors and styles.

It’s a time for both seasoned mead enthusiasts and curious newcomers to enjoy tastings, share experiences, and learn about this ancient drink in a lively and engaging atmosphere.

Celebrating Mead Day emphasizes the cultural significance and craftsmanship behind mead-making. Throughout history, civilizations like the Vikings and ancient Greeks cherished mead for its unique qualities.

The day encourages appreciation of mead’s diverse types and the traditional methods used to create it. Events often feature educational tours, discussions, and opportunities to taste different kinds of mead, making it both fun and informative.

Mead Day also supports local meaderies and home brewers, fostering a sense of community. People visit local breweries, learn about the mead-making process, and even try brewing their mead.

This celebration promotes small businesses and connects people who share a love for this distinctive beverage. It’s a perfect occasion to discover new flavors and enjoy the communal spirit that mead inspires.

History of Mead Day

Mead Day, first established by the American Homebrewers Association in 2002, celebrates mead, an ancient beverage made from fermented honey.

This day encourages people to brew mead at home and share their creations, fostering a sense of community among mead enthusiasts.

The event highlights the rich cultural and historical significance of mead, which has been enjoyed by various civilizations for thousands of years​.

The creation of Mead Day aimed to promote awareness and appreciation of mead. The American Homebrewers Association wanted to inspire more people to explore mead-making.

This initiative helped increase interest in mead, leading to its resurgence in popularity. Today, the celebration includes tasting events, brewing demonstrations, and discussions about different mead styles and techniques​​.

Mead Day is celebrated by visiting local meaderies, participating in brewing workshops, and enjoying tastings with friends and family. It also provides an opportunity to learn about the history and production of mead, showcasing its versatility and unique flavors.

By bringing people together to appreciate this ancient drink, Mead Day helps preserve and promote the tradition of mead-making for future generations.​​

Though it used to be celebrated in August, in 2023 National Mead Day changed dates to now be celebrated on the first Saturday in October. Meanwhile, International Mead Day (along with National Fermentation Day) is still held on the first Saturday in August.

How to Celebrate Mead Day

Host a Mead Tasting Party

Invite friends over and sample different mead varieties. Set up a tasting table with various styles, from sweet to dry. Everyone can vote for their favorite.

Include tasting notes to spark lively discussions about flavors and aromas. Encourage guests to bring their mead creations to share.

Visit a Local Meadery

Find a local meadery and plan a visit. Enjoy a tour and learn about the mead-making process. Most meaderies offer tastings so that you can savor their unique blends.

Ask the mead maker questions and get insider tips. Supporting local businesses has never been more fun.

Brew Your Mead

Try brewing your mead at home. Gather honey, water, and yeast and follow a simple recipe. Experiment with different ingredients, such as fruits or spices.

Brewing your mead is a rewarding experience and a great way to understand the process.

Share on Social Media

Document your Mead Day celebrations and share them online. Post pictures of your tasting party, brewery visit, or brewing process.

Use hashtags to join the broader community of mead lovers. Sharing your experience might inspire others to join the fun next year.

Make Mead-Inspired Crafts

Get creative with mead-themed crafts. Use honey and beeswax to make candles, lip balms, or lotions. These crafts can be fun to make and also make great gifts.

Celebrate the bees that produce the honey for your favorite drink. Crafting adds a hands-on element to your celebration.