San Diego is buzzing for mead

This fermented, honey-based drink has origins that are thousands of years old, but it’s gaining a new surge in popularity.

A flight of mead from Lost Cause Meadery at The Garten in Bay Park

Lost Cause Meadery has plenty of sweet options.

Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

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Oh, honey — in recent years, San Diego has been buzzing about mead. Its popularity may be a newer trend, but it’s one of the oldest drinks, dating back thousands of years.

What is mead? This drink is sometimes called “honey wine” and is made from fermented honey, water, and a bacterial culture like yeast.

Lost Cause Meadery

This meadery was founded in 2017 by award-winning mead maker Billy Beltz and his wife Suzanna. The duo believes mead is the most versatile drink and can pair with anything. Find out for yourself by visiting the headquarters in Morena, the Miramar tasting room, or The Gärten in Bay Park.

Good Omen Mead

Based out of Escondido, this meadery now has a space where you can try its mead, though the venue is often used as an event space.

Four samples of mead from Meadiocrity

No need to comb through the options, try a flight at Meadiocrity.

Photo via @killacat760

Mediocrity

Four San Diegans came together to establish this meadery. The brand started in a garage, but the quartet have left their hive and opened a tasting room in San Marcos.

Raging Cider and Mead Co.

You guessed it, you can find more than mead here, but all of the drinks live up to the buzz. Raging Cider and Mead Co. has been in business since 2015, and can be enjoyed at the San Marcos tap room or purchased online.

Golden Coast Mead

This Oceanside-based brand is known for its “West-Coast-Style” mead. You can find it at stores, restaurants, tasting rooms, and farmers markets across the county.

Twisted Horn Mead & Cider

During his time in the Navy, owner Vince Obarski developed a love of mead while in Norway and brought the passion back home to Vista. Thus, Twisted Horn was born, and can be found in stores across SoCal or at its online shop.

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