Celebrate the Lughnasa summer harvest with a tartan celebrating one of the world's oldest alcoholic beverages and perhaps you too, can wax poetical, inspired by this heady and sweet brew! Mead, fermented honey wine, was often called “nectar” or “ambrosia", and is infused with the sweetness and floral essences of summer. Once a favourite beverage across many ancient cultures, it faded from prominence during the Middle Ages, when improved farming practices made grain-based brews like beer more economical, and the later influx of West Indian sugar reduced the practical incentives for beekeeping.

However, mead is enjoying a vibrant revival in modern times, thanks in part to the influence of fantasy literature and gaming. Series like Game of Thrones have helped reawaken interest in this storied drink, casting it once again as a beverage of heroes, poets, and mythical feasts. Alongside contemporary craft versions, traditional meads have reemerged, offering intriguing variations. These include Acerglyn, infused with maple syrup; Black Mead, made with black currants; Bochet, which features caramelized or even scorched honey for a deep, rich flavor; and Braggot, a hearty blend of mead and malted grain, often barley.

In Norse mythology, mead holds legendary significance. It is said to grant eloquence, poetic inspiration, and the power of wisdom. The magical Mead of Poetry was created through a tale of violent deception involving giants, dwarves, and the cunning god Odin. Two distinct types of mead are born in the myth: a lesser brew known as the “rhymester’s share,” and the coveted Mead of Suttungr, said to bestow upon the drinker the power to become a skald or sage—able to solve any question and speak with inspired fluency.

So choose your mead wisely. You may not become a scholar overnight, but at the very least, you might find yourself composing a rather respectable verse or two. 💙 🤍 🖤 💛 ❤️ 🍯 🐝🍷