Neil Gaiman drinks it—so why aren’t you brewing mead in your own shed yet?

September 30, 2025

Golden Drops with an Ancient Soul: Discovering the Sweet, Secret History of Mead

The most ancient booze no one told you about (until now)

When you hear someone like Neil Gaiman talk about Vikings sipping honey wine from polished horns, it sticks with you. And if you’ve ever stood in your shed, swirling a glass of your own creation, you already get it: brewing isn’t just about what goes in the bottle — it’s about what gets passed down. Through story, scent, and skill.

Here’s the twist: while beer and cider get all the limelight, mead might just be the oldest, most legendary drink you’ve never brewed. From warrior feasts to backyard sheds, its journey is one hell of a tale — and now, it's your turn to stir the next chapter.

From 7000 B.C. to Your Benchtop

Mead — that golden, sweet nectar — is believed to be the oldest known alcoholic beverage. Archaeologists found traces as far back as 7000 B.C. in pottery from China, long before anyone ever dreamt up lagers or pilsners. It spread across continents: Vikings drank it for strength, Celts served it at weddings, and monks perfected it in dark abbey cellars.

The heart of it? Honey. Mixed with water and fermented with a bit of yeast, it becomes a drink so smooth and warming it almost feels like cheating. But here's the kicker — you don’t need to be a Viking raider or medieval monk to make it. You just need a decent kit, a bit of patience, and a taste for tradition.

"Mead is the one brew where simplicity meets magic. It's part science, part slow poetry." — Julie Menard

Why the Sudden Buzz About Mead?

What’s old is new again. Mead saw a quiet resurgence over the past decade, with niche breweries and backyard brewers shaking off its dusty reputation. It’s naturally gluten-free for those watching wheat, has endless flavour flexibility (think cinnamon, hibiscus, chilli... whatever you fancy), and it’s a conversation starter like no other.

Unlike beer that’s often rushed, mead rewards waiting. Give it a month. Give it six. The payoff isn’t just sippable — it’s brag-worthy. There’s pride in that first bottle. A quiet satisfaction knowing you brewed something that kings once toasted with.

Start a Batch Without Buying the Farm

You don’t need a degree in fermentation to try mead. In fact, kits like the All-in-One Mead Kit make getting started dead easy. Yeast? Sorted. Sanitiser? Packed. Racking gear? All in the box. All you need from there is local honey (support a beekeeper if you can), clean water, and a bit of time.

This isn’t gear that’ll collect dust. Once you’ve brewed one batch, you’ll start tossing around words like “melomel” and “hydromel” like you invented them. It’s an easy jump from kits to custom, and the learning curve feels more like the fun part than the hard part.

From Bloke in a Shed to Brewer of Legends

Think of it like this: centuries ago, the best brew in the village was made over open fires with wild yeast and applewood stirring sticks. Now you’ve got a metal shed, electric steriliser, and maybe even Spotify blaring in the background. Progress? Sure. But the soul of it — waiting, experimenting, sharing — that’s stayed the same.

This is where the mead making starter kit shines. It helps pause the overwhelm. Every piece, from the glass carboy to the transfer tubing, holds your hand without getting in the way. It’s confidence in a box, giving you space to enjoy the process without second-guessing every bloody step.

No Two Batches Are the Same — And That’s The Point

Someone in Canada might make a spiced mead with maple syrup. A couple in WA might be bottling lavender-infused honey wine for their footy crew. Your version? That’s up to you. You can go classic sweet. Dry. Fruity. Floral. Even hot. (Chilli mead is a wild but brilliant thing.)

And here's the joy — the more you brew, the more your batches start to taste like you. Your recipe, your twist, your time. That’s not just a drink. That’s legacy in a bottle.

Got Questions? Good. That Means You Give a Damn.

How long should it ferment? Should I age it? Do I bottle it with screw caps or corks? All good questions — and part of the learning. We see folks ask these every day in-store and online in the Beer and Barrel Society on Facebook. No one starts an expert — they start curious. That’s how it should be.

If you muck up a batch, so what? It’s like burning a snag on the BBQ — annoying, maybe, but hardly the end. You’ll adjust. Try again. And the next one will taste better for it.

Why Brew Mead Now?

You’ve mastered beer kits — ready for a new, low-fuss challenge
You want something sweet to share that stops people mid-sip
You like history and want to make something with roots
You want a drink you can age gracefully, like a fine rum or wine

And let’s be honest, there’s just something damn cool about saying, “Yeah mate, I brewed this. It’s called mead.”

Ready to take the plunge? The All-in-One Mead Kit makes the first batch so smooth you’ll wonder why it took you so long. It’s designed by true brewers, backed by old-world tradition, and perfect for anyone who’s ever stirred a brew with one hand while holding a cold stubby in the other.

Your Brew. Your Name. Your Story.

The world doesn’t need another generic beer. It needs your brew. Your twist on something ancient. Mead reminds us that good things aren’t rushed — and they’re even better when shared.

So get the honey. Start the boil. Write your chapter in brewing history — one delicious glass at a time.

Cheers to the old ways, the new mates, and everything you’ll learn in the gaps between.

Happy brewing,
Candeece