World’s oldest fermented drink now brewed in the Hunter region

Posted by Media Release Agency on 20th January 2021

Honey Wines Australia is currently the only operating meadery in the Hunter Region of NSW. The business is known across the Hunter for brewing high-quality mead. What makes Honey Wines Australia stand out is the vast majority of honey used is produced from their own hives scattered throughout the Hunter Region from Toronto to Pokolbin.

Yes that’s right! Honey Wines Australia are passionate beekeepers and Martin Jackson, the beekeeper and mead maker also teaches hands-on beginner beekeeping workshops many Saturdays of the year in Toronto, Lake Macquarie.

Is Mead more like beer or wine?

So what on earth is Mead?! Mead, also commonly known as ‘honey wine’, is believed to be the oldest fermented drink in the world, traditionally made from honey. Just like beer, mead is often flavoured with spices, fruits, hops or grains. Mead is generally higher in alcohol than beer & more in line with grape wine—typically anywhere from 8 to 20 percent. It is more commonly still but can be carbonated. Most people’s knowledge of mead (outside of Europe at least) is limited to Skyrim or Game of Thrones however this unique drink is on the rise worldwide. Today Poland is the largest mead producer however the US is racing to take the crown with a new Meadery opening on average every 3 days.

Mead History

Historically, this beverage has been popular amongst ancient Greek, African, and Chinese cultures since they are known to have used mead in their diets as far back as 3000 BCE. It is also frequently consumed in Eastern Europe and Russia.

Made from Quality Honey

Currently you won’t find many meaderies in Australia and even fewer who can claim they produce all their own honey themselves. The fact that Honey Wines Australia has recently purchased another 50 hives to increase honey production makes them one of the busiest and fastest growing mead breweries in Australia. The honey used in their mead has been filtered but otherwise untouched, with no artificial additives.

Honey Wines Australia owner Martin says “Our bees have flown an estimated 44,000km and visited at least one million flowers to produce each 750ml bottle.”

Customers can currently buy this honey wine online from their official website (and they deliver nationwide), Dan Murphy’s website as well as at various Farmers Markets (see Facebook page for which markets.)

For new and aspiring customers unfamiliar with mead wine, or established connoisseurs of the beverage, Honey Wines Australia are confident that new palettes will soon be converted.

Martin says “Honey wine is a very unique drink. Unlike grape wine, which is limited to a few grape varieties mead can have almost unlimited flavours. This makes it exciting for us to bring new flavours out in the future as it is only limited by our imagination.”

Products

Honey Wine Australia offers a top range of mead wine made from the best quality honey. Ranging from $25 to $35 per 750ml bottle their product range uses no artificial flavours or colours. The current line up includes: