Grizzly Grain may be best known for their beers, however brewer Sam is also behind Sheffield Mead and has been enjoying experimenting a bit with honey based beverages! For those following what he has being doing a visit to the tap sessions at the brewery provides an opportunity to try his regular mead, however on Thursday 6 July a special event was organised at Shakespeares Ale & Cider House on Gibralter Street.

Two special things were available from cask on the night – a batch of session mead had been put in cask and served on handpump and a pin of Belgian style honey braggot was on the bar on gravity serve. Additionally Sam was hosting a tasting of a number of bottled meads, complimented by cheese, honey and crackers (not just any of course – charcoal sourdough crackers with local cheese & honey!)
The mead in cask was Sam’s session strength (3.9% ABV) version with Motueka hops added. This had a wonderful honey aroma and subtle flavours from the hops, it was served still and refreshing. Those folk attending the Cider & Mead festival at Heist on 15 July will have been able to try a version put in keg and served sparkling for comparison.
Available in bottle to try was another variation of the session mead, with the addition of locally foraged elderflower and fermented with Kviek yeast, making a lovely fruity and floral drink to refresh on a hot summers day!
On the stronger side at 10% ABV (although not strong by mead standards I’m told!) to try in bottle was Bochet mead. This is made to a traditional medieval recipe where the honey is boiled in a cauldron then fermented with Norwegian farmhouse Kwiek yeast. It is full flavoured with notes of sweet toffee, caramel honey and tangerine on the flavour and a tart finish.
You can keep up with the latest from Sheffield Mead on their Facebook page.
