A refreshing guide to enjoying Summer Mead - Once upon a time, Funabashi

"Is mead a drink you have when it's cold because it's sweet?"
I get asked this a lot.

It's certainly understandable why some might think of it as an "autumn/winter drink," given its honeyed sweetness and the image of it being enjoyed warm.

〈That’s definitely not the case!!〉

At our brewery, where temperatures reach over 40℃, we have proven through daily tastings and experiments that mead can be enjoyed even in the summer.

In our previous article, we introduced our own ways of enjoying it and shared an example of how it’s served at CISCO in Nagoya. Many of you read it, and we've even received some lovely feedback saying, "I tried it right away!"

Once again, we’d like to debunk that stereotype by introducing more ways to enjoy summer mead.
We enlisted the help of Hirokazu Kobayashi, owner of "Once upon a time," a specialty store for mead and Nordic cuisine that has been serving ANTELOPE mead for about three and a half years, to ask him about the best ways to enjoy mead in the summer.

We’ll be sharing some unique ways to enjoy it from Mr. Kobayashi, who absolutely loves mead!

A mead specialty store offering over 50 varieties at all times

"Once upon a time," located a two-minute walk from JR Funabashi Station, is a veritable mead sanctuary, with over 50 varieties available at all times and a collection exceeding 100 types.

Owner Mr. Kobayashi, who built a career as a beer sommelier and bartender, encountered mead in an unexpected way: through movies.

"I love movies featuring knights in armor and Vikings. That was the start of my interest, learning that the drink they were quaffing was mead. My interest grew even further after I read somewhere that it was 'like a relative of beer'."

His exploration began there, and in March 2020, he opened his shop with the desire to "share the appeal of this drink, which still so few people know about, at my own establishment." This resulted in a one-of-a-kind shop that combines mead—which also appears in Norse mythology—with Nordic cuisine.

When they first opened, it seems many customers were already mead enthusiasts or people who loved trying all kinds of alcohol, but now, it seems more and more people are "trying mead for the first time."

"Once upon a time"'s recommendations for summer mead

So, how does Mr. Kobayashi draw out the charm of mead during the summer at his shop?

For the first drink of summer, the ice-cold "The Last Supper" is popular


Start simply with a well-chilled sparkling mead.

Many people stop by after work, and it seems the ice-cold (around 5℃) sparkling type is a frequent choice for that first glass. Among them, "The Last Supper," with its delightful tartness, is incredibly popular. It seems to be a hit even with those trying mead for the first time.

I had thought dry types were better for summer, but it makes sense that that tartness provides an energy boost. Listening to him speak, my head was filled with thoughts of The Last Supper.

So, what kind of food is it paired with at this Nordic restaurant?

Beyond Nordic cuisine, Japanese food as well

"Mead has wonderful potential as a drink to accompany meals," says Mr. Kobayashi. After all, he offers over 50 types of mead, so the combinations must be infinite. While I was curious about pairings with other meads, this time I asked specifically about combinations with ANTELOPE mead.

Salmon Gravlax × Last Supper


One of the most representative Nordic fish dishes is "Salmon Gravlax."
It's made by marinating salmon in salt, sugar, and dill overnight; it’s a popular summer dish where you can enjoy the rich, fragrant aroma of the dill and the meltingly smooth, dense texture of the salmon.

Apparently, natural wines containing iron can sometimes bring out a fishy odor, but since mead contains no iron, that fishy smell doesn't occur.

The sharp acidity of "The Last Supper" intertwines perfectly with the oily richness of the salmon, making for an addictive pairing. Just imagining it is enough to whet my appetite.

Pork Kakuni × DEEPSEEK - Honey -

While not a summer-exclusive dish, a popular combination is "Pork Kakuni" (braised pork belly) and "DEEPSEEK - Honey -." At Once upon a time, they apparently add a little DEEPSEEK - Honey - to the pork while it's braising. What a rich way to enjoy it! Since pork kakuni is often made with honey or alcohol, there's no doubt it’s a perfect match.

The juices from the slowly simmered, succulent pork belly combined with the complex, deep sweetness of "DEEPSEEK - Honey -" must create an even deeper, more luxurious flavor that fills the mouth. I'd love to try this at home while relaxing on a weekend in an air-conditioned room.

Since this interview was conducted online, I haven't tasted it myself, but hearing about these pairings is enough to send my imagination into overdrive. I’ll definitely have to visit the shop next time to truly "experience" this excitement.

Additionally, while the following aren't ANTELOPE meads, he shared some unique ways to enjoy mead that only a specialty shop would know. They all feel very summery!◎

Extra Tips ①: Cocktail-style with crushed ice and herbs

If you want to enjoy sweet mead in the summer, get creative with how you serve it. Standard ice cubes will water it down quickly, so I recommend filling the glass with finely crushed ice (mist type) and pouring the mead over it. Garnishing it with mint or lime makes it look refreshing and enhances the aroma.

It’s almost like a mojito. This way, even the richer types of mead can be enjoyed like a summery cocktail.

Extra Tips ②: A Bragott-style experience inspired by the Baltic states

In the Baltic states, they often serve "Bragott-style" (a style made by fermenting malt and honey together). Inspired by this, Once upon a time is currently offering an original drink where they pour draft beer into a large mug containing about 30ml of mead.

He uses a Canadian mead called "Medieval." It’s a 16% ABV buckwheat honey mead. ANTELOPE has released a buckwheat honey mead in the past, so if anyone hasn't tried it yet, you might want to try mixing it with beer.

The creative spark only someone from the world of beer like Mr. Kobayashi could have is fascinating. There’s no way it wouldn't be delicious, so definitely try it for your first drink.

OPEN a new door to mead at Once upon a time

To convey the appeal of mead more deeply to his customers, Mr. Kobayashi is also focusing on talent development, such as establishing an in-house "Mead Sommelier" qualification.

He is planning a large-scale renovation of the shop next year (2026) and shared a wonderful vision: "I want to connect ANTELOPE mead to our taps and serve it on draft."

From pairing with meals and cocktail-like enjoyment to using it as a secret ingredient in cooking—we hope this helps broaden your perspective on the ways to enjoy mead.

Start with a crisp, chilled sparkling mead. If you live nearby or are visiting the area, please immerse yourself in the world of mead at Once upon a time.

■ Once upon a time
・Access: 2-minute walk from JR Funabashi Station (Google map)
・Business Hours: 11:00-14:30, 17:30-22:00
*Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays; open for lunch only on Sundays.

For detailed business hours, please refer to the shop's Instagram.