Hello! I'm Yazawa, the brewer here at ANTELOPE!

The theme for the third installment of our Mead for Beginners course is "How to Enjoy Craft Mead." Since craft mead is still largely uncharted territory for many, you might be wondering how best to drink it! Should you drink it straight, mix it with soda, or perhaps warm it up? I hope to answer these questions for you!

1. First, Try Getting a Wine Glass Ready

When you're trying a drink for the first time, it’s hard to know what kind of glass to use. While I think it’s fun to experiment with different types, I recommend starting with the wine glasses you already have at home!

For those who are interested in selecting the right glass or are thinking of buying one, I’d like to briefly explain the compatibility between craft mead and different glassware. But if you just want to enjoy it casually for now, any wine glass you have on hand will do just fine!

Smaller Glasses & Sweeter Meads

I recommend using a smaller glass, especially for meads with high alcohol content or those that seem very sweet. In the world of mead, 14% ABV and up is considered high, but I personally think anything over 12% is fine to drink from a smaller glass! If you aren't sure if a mead is sweet, I suggest imagining it based on the ingredients used! If you find sweet-sounding names other than honey, like "cacao" or "vanilla," there's a high probability it will be a sweet variety. You might also find terms like "Sweet" or "Semi-Sweet" on the label. If you’re still unsure, just give it a little taste!

Now, as for what constitutes a "small" size, I think something that fits in the palm of your hand is just right! Specifically, I highly recommend a goblet or a "snifter," which is also used for whiskey tastings. The reason I suggest smaller glasses for high-alcohol or sweet craft meads is that it makes it easier to enjoy the changes in temperature. A very sweet craft mead will taste more acidic and sharp straight out of the refrigerator. As the glass gradually warms up from the air or the heat of your hand, the sweetness will slowly emerge, allowing a variety of aromas to spread. Meads with distinct sweetness can be enjoyed across a wide range of temperatures, so please take your time and enjoy them in a smaller glass!

Slim Glasses & Sparkling Meads

For meads that are carbonated like champagne, I recommend pouring them into a long, slim glass like a champagne flute! If you don’t have one, a white wine glass will work just fine.

Personally, I love drinking carbonated mead well-chilled, just like sparkling wine, so that you can enjoy the crisp sensation of the carbonation! Flute-style glasses have a narrow surface area, which helps prevent the carbonation from escaping. Also, holding the glass by the stem prevents your body heat from transferring to the drink, helping it stay cold for longer. It’s also famous that champagne glasses often have tiny scratches at the bottom. Watching the carbon dioxide bubbles rise beautifully from those scratches can make you feel quite elegant.

The craft meads we make first are also sparkling! We manage our production carefully to ensure the delicate sweetness and the flavors of the various ingredients come through beautifully. When you have a sparkling mead, why not pour it into a tall, slim glass and toast while watching the bubbles?

2. When in Doubt, Chill It

Once you’ve got your glass ready and bought your craft mead, the next question is what temperature to serve it at. As the name "honey wine" suggests, mead is essentially wine where honey replaces the grapes. People often have rigid ideas like "white wine should be chilled, and red wine is best at room temperature." Of course, those knowledgeable about alcohol might instinctively know what's best, but many people are likely unsure! So, my recommendation is: "If you're not sure, chill it in the refrigerator before drinking!"

The reasons for recommending that you serve it chilled are:
① Sparkling mead is definitely better when chilled.
② For non-carbonated mead, it's easier to enjoy the changes as it gradually warms up.
These are the two main reasons!

First, the point about carbonated drinks—they’re much better when ice-cold rather than lukewarm! The reason why is that carbonation escapes faster when the liquid is warm. To enjoy that crisp, bubbly state for a longer time, I recommend chilling sparkling mead slowly before drinking.

Secondly, for non-sparkling craft mead, you can often enjoy the temperature-related changes. Varieties with higher alcohol content or strong sweetness taste quite different when cold compared to when they reach room temperature, so you can enjoy the same glass in multiple ways. If you find after it warms up that you prefer it colder, you could always add a couple of large ice cubes.

3. Drink It Straight for Your First Time

Lastly, let's talk about how to drink it! This is something we get asked often, so here is our recommendation!

This applies to all mead, not just craft mead, but I recommend drinking it straight the first time! "Straight" means just that—don't mix it with sparkling water or anything else, and don't add ice. Once you pop the cork, just pour it into a glass and enjoy! Craft mead varies significantly in flavor depending on the ingredients and brewing method. Some are sweet, some are dry, some are carbonated, and some are still like wine. It’s a beverage that lets you easily enjoy unique characteristics, so I hope you experience its original flavor first!

However, mead can often have a very rich flavor; if you find it a bit too intense, please feel free to explore different ways to enjoy it, such as adding ice or mixing it with sparkling water!

Many people have had the experience of not knowing how to drink a beverage they’ve heard of for the first time. I hope this article has encouraged you to try some craft mead! Next time, I’ll be introducing "Foods that go well with craft mead." If you’re wondering what to pair with your drink, be sure to check it out!