August 3

Mead Day

Raise a glass and toast to Mead Day - the perfect excuse to enjoy delectable mead, made from honey and water!

Yearly Date
First Saturday in August
Type
Day

Introduction

Raise a glass to Mead Day on the First Saturday of August! This day is all about celebrating the ancient drink – mead, which has been around for thousands of years. It's believed to be one of the oldest alcoholic beverages known and it's still popular today. The recipe for mead is simple: honey, water, and yeast. Though over time, mead makers have added different ingredients to give it unique flavors and styles. On this special day, we honor this amazing beverage and its rich history. So, let's get ready to celebrate with some delicious mead!

Mead Day Timeline

7000 BC
Mead Discovery
Archaeologists have found evidence that mead was drunk in China around 7000 BC, potentially making it one of the earliest known alcoholic beverages.
1700 BC
Beowulf and Mead
The epic poem Beowulf, written around 1700 BC, mentions mead, showing its significance in Anglo-Saxon culture.
1400s
Industrial Mead Production
In the 15th century, commercial meaderies began their operation in Europe capitalizing on the drink's popularity.
1800s
Mead Decline
By the mid-19th century, the popularity of mead significantly declined due to more accessible alternatives like beer and wine.
1960s
Mead Resurgence
In the latter half of the twentieth century, particularly the1960s, Mead began to regain popularity as part of the homebrewing movement.
2002
Mead Day Inception
The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) established Mead Day in 2002 to increase the popularity and awareness of the historic beverage.

How to Celebrate Mead Day

1

Brew your own mead

Mead-making is easy and fun, and you don't need a lot of equipment to get started. All you need is honey, water, yeast, and some basic equipment like a fermentation bucket and carboy.

2

Visit a meadery

If brewing your own mead isn't your thing, why not visit a local meadery? Many meaderies offer tours, tastings, and even workshops to teach you all about the process of making mead.

3

Make mead cocktails

Mead can be used in many creative ways. Try mixing it with other ingredients like fruit juices, liqueurs, and spices to make delicious cocktails.

4

Host a mead tasting

Invite friends over for a fun night of sampling different types of meads. You can even have a competition to see who can name the most different types of mead.

5

Cook with mead

Mead can be used as an ingredient in many dishes. Try glazing meats or vegetables with a mixture of honey and mead for an extra bit of sweetness or use it in marinades for even more flavor.

Why We Love Mead Day

A

Mead is a delicious drink

Mead is an ancient fermented beverage made from honey, water and yeast. It's sweet, complex flavor makes it a great choice for sipping or pairing with foods like cheese and charcuterie plates. Plus, there are many varieties of mead to explore, from dry and sparkling wines to traditional brews!

B

Mead has a long history

Mead has been around since the Middle Ages, so drinking it is like taking a sip of history! And like other fermented beverages such as wine and beer, it was originally brewed as a way to preserve surplus honey that would have otherwise gone to waste. So raise a glass in honor of all those ancient beekeepers!

C

Mead supports local producers

When you buy local mead you are supporting small businesses and helping the economy of your community thrive. Plus, you know that you are getting top quality ingredients crafted by passionate producers who take pride in their unique products!

Mead Day Dates

Year
Date
Day
2023
Aug 4
Friday
2024
Aug 2
Friday
2025
Aug 1
Friday
2026
Jul 31
Friday
2027
Aug 6
Friday