Drinks tailored to how you feel that day
Mead, an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey
It comes in a wide range of sweetness and alcohol content.
Choosing one that matches your mood today—that is the joy of mead.
What is mead?
A variety of liquors born from honey
Just as wine is made from grapes and beer from grain,
mead is created by fermenting honey.
It can be crafted by adding fruits, herbs, or spices,
or brewed simply with nothing added at all.
It is a drink with as many expressions as there are ingredients used to create it.
Not just sweet, but a richness of "choice."
When people hear "honey wine," they often assume it's sweet, but
the flavor of mead is so much more than that.
From dry to extremely sweet. From 4% alcohol content to nearly 20%.
Neither beer nor wine offers such a range.
"Something light for today"
"I want a serious drink"
You can choose not just the flavor, but the alcohol content too.
That is the richness that mead has to offer.
01 | Enjoy it freely at any time
Enjoy it chilled for a crisp finish, or warmed for a richer, deeper flavor. You are free to enjoy it however you like, in any season.
02 | For both meals and desserts
From appetizers to cheese, mains, and dessert.
Pair them however you like.
03 | Wide range of alcohol content
From low-alcohol options around 4%,
to rich, full-bodied varieties around 20%, choose one to suit your mood.
Recommended Products
Recommended products for those who want to start by enjoying the basics
![[Limited to 30 sets] Easy at-home mead cocktail set (SANAGI 4 - Mini, peach juice)](http://antelopemeadery.com/cdn/shop/files/1N7A6701-2.jpg?v=1785302536&width=3500)
![[Limited to 30 sets] Easy at-home mead cocktail set (SANAGI 4 - Mini, peach juice)](http://antelopemeadery.com/cdn/shop/files/1N7A6703-3.jpg?v=1785302536&width=3500)
How to enjoy mead
How to drink｜
Serve sparkling mead chilled, and still mead at room temperature or slightly chilled.
Simply pour it into a wine glass and it’s ready to enjoy.
When to drink｜
Enjoy dry mead with a meal.
Whether for a toast or paired with food, it blends naturally into any setting.
Enjoy sweeter mead at a leisurely pace after your meal.
Like a dessert, it will enrich the end of your day.
How to pair with meals｜
Because mead is sweet, people often think it doesn't go well with food, but it offers unique pairing experiences different from those of wine or sake.
Common pairings include:
▢ Sweet mead x Cheese
▢ Dry mead x Smoked dishes
ANTELOPE's recommendation is:
▢ Mead x Chinese cuisine
The honey aroma layering over the sweet and savory flavors of Chinese cuisine creates an even more luxurious experience.
Storage Instructions｜
Although no preservatives are used, this product can be stored at room temperature.
Please store upright in a place away from direct sunlight.
Please chill sparkling mead before serving.
After opening, store in the refrigerator and enjoy within approximately 2 weeks.
Building the foundations of culture
Brewing together with those who face the land.
We craft mead in Shiga, on the shores of Lake Biwa.
We select ingredients grown by producers who know the land. Just as a fine sword begins with fine steel, we approach every ingredient, starting with our honey, with this conviction.
The connections between the producers, the people who drink our mead, and ourselves—we believe these bonds are the foundation that builds the culture of mead.
A ZINE for learning about mead
Mead can change the way you see the world a little.
Published by ANTELOPE, our quarterly magazine "New Mead" is designed
for those who don’t know mead, those who can’t drink it,
and those who have been vaguely curious about it.
We aim to create a book that anyone can pick up and enjoy.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the alcohol content of mead?
Ranging from about 4% to 14%, they vary from those similar to wine to those that can be enjoyed like a cocktail.
A list of alcohol content levels can be found here
What is the difference between mead, beer, and wine?
Mead is made by fermenting honey, whereas beer is made from barley and wine from grapes.
What food pairs well with mead?
Basically, anything that goes well with honey will work. We recommend pairing it with cheese, meat dishes, spiced curry, or Chinese cuisine.
What kind of glass should I use to drink this?
We recommend a wine glass.
What kind of honey do you use?
Made primarily with wildflower honey from Myanmar.
The nutty flavor is reminiscent of the sweet nuances of mango, with a smooth bitterness.
What kind of yeast do you use?
We select primarily from wine yeasts.
What kind of water is used for the brewing process?
I use tap water. (Philosophically, since beer comes from water, the idea is not to fetch good water, but to create good water.)
How many days does the fermentation process take?
Primary fermentation takes as little as 2 to 3 weeks, or as long as 2 months in some cases. On average, it takes about a month.
Does it have an expiry date?
There is no expiration date, but we recommend consuming it within one year.
*For carbonated products, it is recommended to drink them promptly after opening! If you cannot finish it all at once, please seal the bottle and store it in the refrigerator; it will remain delicious for one week.
Do you use preservatives?
Unlike most meads, our brewing process uses no antioxidants, nor does it contain any flavorings, colorings, or artificial sweeteners.
It is safe for everyone to enjoy.
For more information on mead and additives, please refer to this article.