Greetings, Rebels! Today, we embark on a quest to dispel yet another prevailing myth that surrounds the world of mead – the belief that all meads are thick and syrupy. At Rebel Hive Meadery, we take pride in crafting meads that defy this stereotype, offering a diverse range of mouthfeel experiences. Join us as we explore the enchanting journey of must to mead, understanding the transformative process and debunking the misconceptions about thickness.

The Magic of Fermentation: Must to Mead Transformation

To understand the misconception surrounding the thickness of mead, we must first unravel the enchanting process of fermentation. When the must, the unfermented mead, embarks on its transformation, magical changes occur. One of the most significant changes is the conversion of sugars in honey into alcohol and carbon dioxide. As the yeast eats through the sugars, the viscosity or thickness of the liquid decreases, leading to a lighter and more refreshing mouthfeel.

Mouthfeel: What Does That Mean?

When we discuss “mouthfeel” in mead, we are talking about the way a mead “feels” on your tongue. As an analogy, imagine running your hand over a piece of velvet, plastic, or sandpaper. All of these give you different perceived feelings. Similar sensations occur on our tongue when we are drinking mead. Sometimes the flavors dance across your tongue and play a symphony, while other times the mead plops down like a blob of disgustingness. 

Balancing Act: The Key to Perfect Mouthfeel

The myth of syrupy meads often stems from two main flaws in the meadmaking process, both of which can be avoided by experienced mead makers. Let's explore them:

1. Improper Balance: Crafting mead is an art that requires attention to detail and the harmonious blending of flavors. While a sweet mead can indeed offer a full-bodied mouthfeel, it should never feel "flabby" or overwhelming. The key to perfection lies in achieving the right balance between sweetness, alcohol content, and acidity. When these elements complement each other, they create a seamless and delightful drinking experience.
2. Bacterial Infection: Though rare, bacterial infections, particularly by lactic acid bacteria, can lead to an undesirable "ropy" texture in mead. This happens when bacteria produce beta glucan, creating an oily feel in the liquid. However, at Rebel Hive Meadery, we uphold rigorous sanitation practices to ensure that our meads remain free from such unwanted bacterial intrusions.

Celebrating the Diversity of Mouthfeel

At Rebel Hive Meadery, we celebrate the vast diversity of mouthfeel experiences in our meads. We produce everything from our dry meads with a light and crisp mouthfeel, to our sweet meads that offer a full-bodied experience, and everything in between.

As you venture into the realm of mead, we invite you to shed the misconception that all meads are thick and syrupy.  At Rebel Hive Meadery, we take pride in crafting meads that defy expectations, enticing you to savor the complexity and diversity of this ancient elixir. Cheers to the art of mead-making and the joy of debunking myths, one delicious sip at a time!