Why Mead is Making a Quiet Comeback – There is something rather wonderful about discovering a drink that feels both steeped in history and completely at home in modern life and that’s exactly what I found with the Dark Cherry Traditional Mead from Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co.
I’ll admit, I went into this with enthusiasm. I love cherry, and I’m drawn to anything with a sense of tradition, so this felt like it was always going to be a good match. But what I didn’t expect was quite how elegant and thoughtfully crafted this mead would be.
Even before you take your first sip, the bottle makes an impression. The striking label, bold, detailed and inspired by Norse mythology feels powerful and atmospheric, hinting at the heritage behind the drink. It’s the kind of design that catches your eye immediately and sets the tone for what’s inside: something with character, depth and a story to tell.
Made in South Wales using 100% British honey and dark cherry juice, this is what’s known as a melomel a fruited mead with roots stretching back to Norse and early European feasting traditions. Historically, fruited meads were crafted for ceremonies, harvest celebrations and moments of significance. It was a drink worthy of a gathering. Hive Mind’s Dark Cherry continues that legacy, created for modern occasions that demand something a little extra special.
The first thing that strikes you is the depth. There’s a rich, almost velvety cherry note that comes through immediately, followed by the gentle, floral sweetness of honey. It’s beautifully balanced sweet, yes, but not over sweet, with just enough tartness from the cherries to lift it and keep it refreshing. It sits somewhere between a cherry wine and a light fortified wine, which makes it far more versatile than you might expect.
What I particularly loved is how grown-up it feels. If, like me, you’ve drifted away from overly sweet, synthetic-tasting fruit ciders, this offers something far more refined. It’s smooth, rounded, and quietly complex, perfect for sipping slowly at the end of the day, or for sharing over a relaxed supper with friends.
There’s also something reassuring about the ethos behind it. Hive Mind are not just drinks producers, hey are beekeepers, deeply connected to the natural world. Their commitment to using real honey (rather than shortcuts like sugar or flavourings) makes a genuine difference, both in taste and in supporting British beekeeping and sustainability.
That sense of authenticity is part of a wider shift. As co-founder Kit Newell explains:
“Mead appreciation in the UK is growing rapidly and is now an £11.6m category. This mirrors the momentum we have seen in North America, which has rapidly evolved into a vibrant £650m market. The momentum shift has come courtesy of younger drinkers moving away from overly sweet, synthetic fruit ciders and unremarkable generic wines towards small-batch, crafted drinks offering authenticity, provenance and clear environmental upsides.”
At 12.5%, this bottle leans more towards a wine-style mead, making it ideal for pairing – think rich cheeses, roasted meats, or even something indulgently chocolatey for dessert. It’s the kind of drink that invites you to slow down and savour the moment.
More than anything, this feels like a quiet revival of something we’d almost forgotten. Mead may be one of the oldest drinks in the world, but in the hands of producers like Hive Mind, it feels exciting again relevant, considered, and, most importantly, delicious.
If you’re looking to try something a little different, this is a beautiful place to start.
Discover Hive Mind here.
Poppy Watt