We are creators of fine modern hand crafted mead. We make small batches which allow us to experiment with many different flavour and aroma combinations. We use the finest and freshest raw ingredient, our honey is never pasteurised.
We are currently producing our mead on the beautiful Te Atatu Peninsula, West Auckland
Drop us an email Mead@honeybandit.co.nz
Mead is essentially is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey, In the same way beer is made with Malted Barley and Wine is made with Grapes.
It’s believed to be one of the oldest alcoholic beverages ever made, as it was consumed as far back as 8,000 years. Interestingly, mead was common across ancient cultures around the world including those in Asia, Europe and Africa.
In it’s simplest form Mead is made with just Honey, water and yeast, although it can include other ingredient such as Fruit, Spices or herbs.
Mead can very greatly in sweetness and Alcohol strengths and can be still or sparkling.
Traditional
An off dry Mead in its simplest form to showcase some of Auckland’s best wildflower honey, created with just Honey, Water and Yeast. This Mead is a modern take on the classic traditional honey wine style mead. It has a delicate floral Aroma with citrus hints on the palate and a very slight honey sweet finish.Serve chilled like a fine white wine.
Oaked Traditional
One of the first style of meads we created and a favourite of our Mead-maker. Created with Taupo Kamahi Honey and a blend of Charred American oak and Medium Toast Hungarian Oak. This off-dry mead hits the palate initially like a medium bodied Chardonnay and finishes like an off dry Gewürztraminer…..what’s not to love about that?Serve chilled like a classic white wine
Coconut Mango Chilli
By far our most popular mead, this semi sweet crowd pleaser starts with aromas of coconut which continue on to the palate, closely followed by tropical mango notes and finishes with a tiny amount of chilli pepper heat that is perfectly balanced with residual sweetness.Serve chilled like a summer cocktail.
Pineapple
This easy-going fruit mead effortlessly balances between the tartness of the fresh Pineapple and the sweet complexity of the honey notes. You’ll think you’re chillin’ in the Caribbean in no time.Serve chilled like your favorite white wine or at room temperature, you’re the boss..
Oaked Blueberry Vanilla
This complex little beauty is our sweetest Mead. With tons of blueberry flavour, this fruit bomb features elegant oak and fresh Vanilla pods.Serve chilled like a sweet dessert wine or at room temperature like a Ruby Port. Or, for a real treat, over Ice cream….
Cacao nibs and coffee beans
The newest addition to our line-up. This little gorgeousness started life off as a semi sweet Traditional Mead and then spent five Months aging on lightly crushed Guatemalan coffee beans, Cacao nibs and a dusting of roasted Coconut.Serve chilled with your fancy friends.
Red Plum
A small batch, limited seasonal release. This fruity off-dry mead was created with red plum from west Auckland. Fermented with wild yeast from the plums and partial Malo-lactic fermentation. This is the only place you will be able to purchase this mead.Hopped Session
This tasty Mead combines the finest Auckland honey with two uniquely different hops for a balanced, refreshing and yummy beverage. With tropical hints of floral, citrus & lime, this crushable mead is bringing the world’s oldest tipple into the twenty-first century.
Introducing our Mythic Collection. With the help of our Pagan consultant Aaron Pyne of Inner Realms Journey, we bring to you meads inspired by historical legends. Our Mythic Collection Meads are spontaneously fermented with wild yeast, leaving the gods to determine the path of the Mead.
Kvasir, Our Chai Metheglin is inspired by the Norse myth of the being called Kvasir. The stories we have tell us that Kvasir emerged from a peace truce between the two groups of gods, the Æsir and the Vanir. He was extremely wise and traveled the world helping humanity. It is said then that two greedy dwarves wanted his wisdom, so they tricked him and killed him. They then brewed his blood with honey and made the first mead. May this mythic mead inspire within you the wisdom, illumination, and poetry of Kvasir.
Kara, A Raspberry with Black peppercorn and Caramom. Mead fermented with the natural yeast from the Raspberries and is named after the Valkyrie Kára whose name translates as the wild. It is said the Valkyries take courageous warriors that have died in battle to the halls of the Gods to drink mead and prepare for Ragnarök. Whether you’re looking for a fruity treat for a hot afternoon or preparing to fight in the biggest battle the world has ever seen…..this is the mead for you.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join our awesome mead club. The mead club is a year subscription of tasty mead. Receive two meads a month for a year. You will receive two mead consisting of:
1 of core range full strength meads (or 3 of our session strength meads) and
1 Experiment/Seasonal/Prototype
This will come in an unlabeled bottle with all the details in a sealed envelope. The mead will be either just something for fun or a limited release or something we are trialing. There will also be giveaways, merchandise and unique offers.You must be over 18 years and reside within NZ. Postage is included. Mead will be send out on the first of each month or another date if you prefer.
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