Illinois Mead

Mead was traditionally made with a mixture of bee honey, water and often fruit, spices and botanicals like elderflower or hops to add flavor. Depending on who you ask Mead originated with the Vikings, the Picts in what is now Scotland or even North Africa.  A little honey left out in a pot with some rainwater probably did the trick regardless of where you lived.  Today most Mead is actually a honey wine or Mead honey wine in that honey is co-fermeneted with white grape juice to make a typically sweet wine. As in the past, much is flavored and Wild Blossom winery of Chicago has an extensive selection of excellent flavored meads using natural ingredients.

At Friar Tuck in Bloomingon you'll find an extensive selection on Mead Honey Wine to buy. Chaucers is a well known brand made in California and Bootleg Hill is a local favorite made in the quad cities. Check out our complete selection below.