#33 Man Made Mead: Brewing Mead Is Easier Than You Think (And Way More Fun)

Mead is the oldest known alcoholic beverage, but it’s still a mystery to most people. Garrett Freeman, the creator of Man Made Mead, has made it his mission to change that through approachable education, wild experiments, and a thriving online community. With nearly a decade of brewing under his belt, he shares insights from hundreds of batches (and not always successes) ranging from traditional honey-water-yeast recipes to bold flavor combinations you’ve never imagined.


We explore the history, versatility, and surprisingly simple process of brewing mead, plus the role of honey varietals in shaping flavor. Garrett breaks down primary vs. secondary fermentation, reveals his craziest ingredient mashups, and takes us behind the scenes of the Mead Stampede, one of the biggest competitions in the U.S. He also offers practical advice for anyone curious about making mead at home, from choosing the right honey to avoiding common mistakes.






Expect to Learn:
＜#＞
• Why mead was safer to drink than water for centuries
• How honey type transforms flavor (and why there’s no such thing as “just honey”)
• The difference between primary and secondary fermentation—and which gives more fruit flavor
• Garrett’s most outlandish experiments, from candy to spicy fruit blends
• How the Mead Stampede became a must-attend event for brewers nationwide
• Where to find great commercial meads (and which brands to avoid)
• The essential gear and ingredients for your first homebrew batch
• Why some of the best meads in the world come from small homebrew clubs


Links:

• Mad Made Mead (https://www.manmademead.com/)
• Garrett’s Youtube  (   / manmademead  )
• Meridian Hive Mead (https://meridianhive.com/)
•
Superstition Meadery (https://superstitionmeadery.com/)  





Service starts now.


Follow the show:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/show/0f7LAx6...) ,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://podcasts.apple.com/me/podcast...) ,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (   / @servesyouright  )


I talk mostly to people in and around the service industry space. I'm looking to hear from the people I wish I could have talked to when I was coming up in restaurants. Said another way: I am trying to make sense of this wild, beautiful mess of a life, and help others that are feeling similarly confused and/or lost. You can find more of my work at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠my blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.andrewroy.online/) , and all my social links are at the bottom of that page.


Classic Episodes You May Like:


-#10:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nat Harry, cocktail expert!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/episode/6pd7...)


-#14:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Dr. Shalini Bahl, mindful marketing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Uyo...)


-#22:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Doug Frost MW MS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Mh5...)


-#23:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jeffrey Morgenthaler⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/episode/29aT...)


-#31:⁠ET: Entrepreneur (and creator of Surfer on Acid)⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Lwz...)


As always, I’m just here taking notes, trying to figure out what it all means.


Cheers


#mead, #homebrewing, #craftbeer, #winemaking, #fermentation, #honeywine, #ancientdrinks, #brewing, #craftmead, #drinkculture, #diybrewing, #alcohol