The contents of the fermenter will slowly transform from a murky brown liquid into clear honey coloured mead. These stories from Norse mythology emphasize the importance of mead as a divine and powerful substance that could bestow wisdom, inspiration, and transformation upon those who consumed it, reflecting its central role in Viking culture and religious beliefs. Mead Halls: The Epicenters of Viking Society

The main ingredient in the traditional Viking Mead recipe is yeast, honey, and water, and it is impossible to make it without these ingredients.Surflegacy, has you covered. We have a wide range of Handmade Jewelry in various styles, shapes, colors, and materials, to accentuate your Viking spirit and look. Do not hesitate to visit our selection HERE At the heart of these feasts was the consumption of mead, which flowed freely, symbolizing the host’s generosity and wealth.

Unpasteurised natural honey contains wild yeast and Vikings created mead by mixing honey with spring water and leaving it to ferment for several months. Additional transfers after this will allow dead yeast to settle out each time, prevent yeast autolysis (leading to off-flavors), and improve clarity. In Norse culture, alcohol was a key part of societal and political life. The "promise cup" / "chieftain's cup" ( Bragarfull / Bragafull) was an elaborate ceremony involving the consumption of alcohol, often mead. In it, a drinking horn or vessel was passed around by members and often involved the swearing of oaths by powerful people in a particular village or society. A vivid description of this ceremony is mentioned in the Saga of Hákon the Good in the epic Heimskringla by the 13th-century Icelandic man of letters, Snorri Sturluson. It’s important to note that the concept of “Viking Blood Mead” is not necessarily an authentic historical representation of what the Vikings would have consumed but rather a modern interpretation and celebration of their mead-making traditions. What is Norse Mead called?As such, mead was never produced in huge volumes or amounts. Furthermore, with such a limited supply of honey produced in Scandinavia, much had to be imported. These factors made mead an expensive tipple, only for the most privileged elite. Norse mythology continues to inspire interest in mead, connecting it to an epic, storied past. Viking mead endures as a link to ancient beliefs, customs, and flavors. To make Viking Blood Mead, follow a traditional mead recipe, but add cherries (or another fruit of your choice) during the fermentation process. The fruit can be fresh, frozen, or even a fruit juice or concentrate. Make sure to adjust the amount of honey and water to account for the additional sugar content from the fruit. The fermentation and aging process will remain the same as with a traditional mead.

Like many ancient cultures, people in Viking societies drank mead. This is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey with water and then adding ingredients ranging from grains, fruits, spices, or even hops. Viking festivals and mead tasting events have become increasingly popular around the world, providing opportunities for people to immerse themselves in the history, culture, and flavors of the Viking Age. Skalds, the Viking poets, would recite their verses, recounting tales of gods, heroes, and legendary battles to entertain and inspire their audience. Mead halls thus played a crucial role in preserving the oral traditions and cultural memory of the Vikings. Heorot: The Legendary Mead Hall from BeowulfA variety of mead that is made with additional honey and tends to be stronger than other variants. Think of this as the dessert wine of meads. Sparkling Mead I usually move the fermenter into the kitchen the night before I will be bottling and place it on the work surface. This allows any residue which has been disturbed to settle down to the bottom of the carboy. Wrap the carboy with a towel to prevent it from being exposed to the light, which may cause off flavours.