The Laurel Highlands Meadery is Pennsylvania’s second oldest Meadery. Started in 2010 with federal approval granted in 2010 and Pennsylvania state approval granted in early 2011. We started making mead a number of years before starting the meadery and wish to share our experience and passion with you.
Mead (also called Honey Wine) is an alcoholic drink, created by fermenting honey and water. It is one of the oldest beverages known to man that many people have never heard of. In fact, archaeological evidence dates mead to approximately 7000 BC!
We have won numerous wine and mead-only competitions over the years all working towards our ultimate goal of producing the best mead we can. The award that we prize the most is a gold medal won at the Mazer Cup Mead-only competition in 2015 for our Traditional Mead.
Mead is often referred to as the “nectar of the gods” and has been associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Honey has long been associated with sexual desire and fertility. There’s a reason it’s called a “honeymoon.” The parents of the newlyweds would often supply them with enough honey to last a month (or a moon cycle) to ensure them happiness and fertility.
Mead has also had strong ties to ancient Egyptians, Norse Vikings, English Kings and Celtic traditions. Mead is often spoken and written about in literature. It was mentioned in works by Pliny, Homer, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Washington Irving, and J.K. Rowling!
Mead fell out of favor in about the 12th century due to heavy taxation and regulations on the ingredients used to make alcoholic beverages. Because honey was such a prized commodity it was expensive and mostly only consumed by royalty. In addition, with the start of voyages to the new world, and the discovery of sugar cane, honey was no longer necessary as a sweetener.
With the rise of the craft beer industry and home brewing came the rise in people wanting to taste and experience new and unique things. So we congratulate you on seeking out a new experience and hope that we can exceed your expectations!
Honey is an all natural sweetener that is rich in antioxidants. It has been used for centuries to treat symptoms of the common cold by soothing sore throats and calming persistent coughs.
Mead is also Gluten Free.
Wassail!