The big guide to mead: The Vikings' favorite drink in modern times

Imagine a Viking feast: long wooden tables, flickering fire from torches and bonfires, and resounding laughter beneath high beams. In the hands of every warrior and shieldmaiden is a Drinking Horn filled with golden mead. Mead – the very word itself conjures images of ancient heroes and gods. But this honey-sweet drink does not belong to the past alone. Today, mead is experiencing a true revival, as modern brewers rediscover proud traditions and breathe new life into them.

The History of Mead: From the Drink of the Gods to the Vikings' Feast Tables

The history of mead stretches back thousands of years. In fact, mead is considered the world's oldest alcoholic drink, brewed from honey and water long before beer and wine. Archaeologists have found traces of mead in 7,000-year-old clay vessels, and the drink is known from ancient times in Asia, Africa, and Europe. In the Nordic countries, mead came into its own during the Iron Age and Viking Age, where it gained an almost legendary status.

In Norse mythology, mead is referred to as the drink of the gods above all others – also called the "poet's drink," because it bestowed wisdom and poetic inspiration to those who drank it. The sagas tell how the god Odin himself stole the special skaldic mead from the giants, and in Valhalla, the fallen warriors drink mead that flows from the udder of the goat Heidrun.

Among the Vikings, mead was not an everyday food – honey was a precious commodity in the Nordic countries. When they finally gathered around the mead horns, it was an occasion for celebration. Mead was drunk at weddings, religious sacrifices, and assemblies, and many would toast to the gods' honor with a horn of mead in hand.

How is mead brewed? From honey to golden drops

Mead is often called honey wine, and that is exactly what it is: a fermented drink based on honey. The brewing process itself is more similar to winemaking than beer brewing. While wine is made by fermenting grape juice, mead is made by fermenting a solution of honey in water.

The process begins with the honey, which is dissolved in water. Many brewers, including Mjødgård, heat the honey water to sterilize and skim off impurities. Then the acidity is adjusted with a little lime before the mixture is cooled and transferred to fermentation tanks.

When the yeast is added, the sugar in the honey is converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide over a couple of months. Along the way, the brewer can ‘feed’ the brew with extra honey solution to achieve a higher alcohol content or a sweeter profile. Finally, the mead is allowed to mature – often for 6-12 months or longer – during which the flavor develops and clarifies itself in the tank.

A modern mead renaissance

Today, mead is no longer reserved for Viking chieftains and medieval monks. Interest in ancient crafts and Nordic traditions is growing, and mead is back as a gourmet experience. Microbreweries and mead enthusiasts are reviving the golden drops with a focus on local ingredients and sustainability.

Mjødgård: Viking spirit and craftsmanship united

In the heart of the Zealand soil, near Dalby on Stevns, lies Mjødgård – Denmark's oldest dedicated mead brewery. Founded in 2008 and operated by Thomas Priiskorn since 2018, the brewery combines the spirit of the Viking Age with modern precision.

The brewery's philosophy of ‘Passion, tradition, and craftsmanship’ is expressed through local ingredients: the honey comes from Stevns, herbs and berries are either wild-harvested or grown without pesticides. Mjødgård brews without harsh filtration, allowing nature to clarify the drink through racking.

Mjødgård's assortment: A treasure trove of flavors

• Classic mead varieties: Pure Mead, Honey Mead, Elderflower Mead, Forest Mead
  - The Mead of Kings series: Gorm the Old, Harald Bluetooth, Sven Forkbeard
  - Historical specialties: Ladby King's Mead (angelica & sweet gale), Trelleborg's Warrior Mead, Queen's Mead Thyra
  - Seasonal mead and experiments: Summer mead, Autumn mead, Winter mead, Eternity mead, Dolcevit Hekla

Cheers to the return of mead!

The journey of mead from ancient times to today is nothing short of fascinating. Thanks to breweries like Mjødgård, who have brought the golden drink back as a modern gourmet experience. At Ydale, you can find Mjødgård's selection of mead for every taste. Take a sip, close your eyes, and feel the wings of history. Cheers and enjoy – let the mead flow!