Does Mead Go Bad?
Quick Answer
Does mead go bad? Well, commercially produced mead doesn’t necessarily go bad. However, its flavor can decrease over time, until it’s no longer suitable for consumption. It may last for years unopened or for a few months after opening and still retain its original taste. Mead made at home can go bad when it is infected.
The same scenario with alcoholic drinks is that you might come across an old bottle in your possession. The next time, you discover an old mead bottle.
It’s pretty, but you’re not sure whether it’s still like it used to be. The way it’s described as “honey wine”, it could be that the older it gets, the better it becomes. Is that so? Does mead really get better like wine with age?
Mead has been getting more and more popular in America over the last few decades. As everyone is talking about the “god’s drink” nowadays, it is worth getting an ounce. The other issue that pops out of your head is: for how long does mead last? Does mead go bad?
Whatever the case, in this article you’ll discover useful information about mead shelf life as well as storage conditions and the best way to tell if a mead has gone off the rails. If you’re interested in finding out more, keep reading!
What is Mead?
Mead is most likely the most ancient alcohol drink, which has existed from the time of ancient civilizations. Mead has been part of the culinary traditions throughout the globe. It was popular with the Vikings, Greeks, Chinese and African.
Mead (also known as honey wine) is an alcohol-based drink that is made by fermentation of sugar and water, with the aid of yeast. Based on the region the ingredients are included, like fruits or spices and herbs, grains and hops.
Mead is well-known to have various levels of alcohol levels and flavors. The honey type, as well as the type of yeast used along with the additives, along with the age, is the most important factors.
So, it’s not difficult to locate regional variations with different names. The variants are braggot (with malt and hops) and Melomel (with any fruit) and pyment (with the juice of grapes) as well as the rhodomel (with rose hipsor petals) trojniak (Polish), Tej (Ethiopian) and numerous others.
Much like wine, mead can also be aged. The time of aging varies between 3 to 36 months. A longer aging time means greater alcohol content. The mead’s alcohol content greatly varies between 3.5 percent and 20% in accordance with the manufacturer.
The nitty-gritty about mead but let’s move on to the more technical aspects of storage and longevity of the mead’s shelf. We’ll also provide answers to some mead-related questions at the close of this article. Can you freeze Mead?
It is not recommended to freeze mead because the flavor could be altered.
How long does Mead last?
There is no definitive solution to the shelf-life of mead. It varies greatly based depending on the kind of mead as well as the alcohol content. In short, it varies between mead makers. The next thing to be doing is checking the label or the website of the manufacturer to find out this information.
In general, unopened dark mead may last for five years or more. When it is opened, the flavor and taste may decrease significantly.
With proper care, mead will keep its original flavor for 3 to six months. Like other alcohol-based beverages, it is still drinkable even after this time however, the taste may not be as appealing.
Meads that are lighter (those that have lower alcohol content) tend to be less stable. It is recommended to consume it within one year or two years. When it’s opened, it’s advised to drink it as soon as it is.
The mead is degraded in its quality following the opening. The recommended amount varies widely between producers, ranging from an hour to a couple of weeks. So, be sure to verify the recommendation of the producer.
How To Tell If Mead Has Gone Bad?
Mead does not usually spoil as other drinks do. In most cases, it gets worse in quality, so it will eventually be uninteresting to drink it.
If you’re unsure whether the mead is drinkable or not, search at the following indicators:
Rancid smell: If you are drinking mead that’s been stored in your refrigerator for a while, should be taken for a sniff test. If the mead is suffused with an odd smell, throw it out and then open another bottle.
Color changes: The mead bottle appears dark in color, pour a tiny portion into a glass and check if the drink has seen any changes in color. The appearance of cloudiness is another indication of mead not suitable for drinking anymore.
Changes in flavor: The mead’s smell changes and appears appealing take a sip to determine if it’s acceptable to drink. Mead that’s been stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry in an unopened bottle may not be the same as mead that is fresh. But, if there are not any major flavors changes, you can be sure to drink mead.
If you make mead at home throw it away when it’s affected. It can be confusing if not a seasoned beer maker.
The sign of mead that is infected is a pellicle appearing in the center of the drink. The pellicle formed on the surface of the drink may take on a different shape. There could be numerous bubble-like spots appearing upon the top of the brew.
Make sure you note that these two common images are not indicators of meads that are infected:
If this is the first time you have made mead on your own, you might think that the thick, frothy coating on the surface could be a sign of mead that is infected. This is not the case. The fermentation process that takes place within the mixture is the cause of the foam.
It’s normal for meads to create sediment on the inside of the bottle. A little sediment in the base of the bottle is also a sign of a perfectly good mead. If you don’t see any other indications of spoilage, you’re able to enjoy your mead with confidence with a bit of water at the base of your bottle.
How to Store Mead?
Since mead is similar to wine, beer, and, as some believe it is, cider, there’s plenty of confusion over the storage requirements. Here’s the best way to keep mead in a safe place.
In the beginning, if you own an unopened mead bottle put it away in a dry and cool area. It is crucial to ensure that the bottle is of direct light. Although some companies make mead inside dark bottle it’s not completely protected against direct sunlight.
Store unopened mead bottles in the cabinet or in any room provided it meets the above guidelines. Bottles that have been opened can be put into the refrigerator to keep them tasting fresh and safe from mold and disease.
These are the fundamental guidelines that apply to any mead type.
Do you think Mead Be refrigerated?
The mead that is not yet opened doesn’t require refrigeration. As so long as the cork, or the cap isn’t damaged and the bottles are kept in an area that is dry and cool will ensure that the meads maintain their finest quality.
If you have meads that have been opened it is possible to refrigerate them and you should do it when it’s an easy mead.
To go into greater detail this is how you can keep classic meads and light meads, based on whether they’re opened or not:
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Storing Classic Mead
As we’ve mentioned previously the classic meads are known to contain more alcohol. They last for longer. So, if you spot classic meads for sale at the local supermarket You can certainly buy many bottles, as they store very well.
Once the bottle is opened, you are able to keep meads that are classic in the pantry or in a cabinet that is dark and cool. As long as you close the bottles well and tightly, meads with the highest alcohol content will last long even when it is not refrigerated.
If it’s hot in your area and you’re unable to find an appropriate place to store an open bottle of mead, don’t be concerned. It can be stored in the refrigerator too. The storage of classic mead in the refrigerator will aid in keeping its freshness.
Yes, you would do well to keep a bottle of half-full mead in the refrigerator when you are certain that you aren’t going to finish it in three months.
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Storing Light Mead
Because of its low alcohol content, mead is more susceptible to poor storage conditions. Therefore, it is recommended to store an unopened glass of light mead in the refrigerator.
It is crucial to keep the bottle shut in all instances, particularly when you’re dealing with sparkling wines.
In the meantime, you should store it in an air-conditioned, dark space in a cabinet or in a pantry.
How to Thaw Mead?
If you’ve decided to store your mead in a freezer, there are two simple methods to melt it completely.
Thaw at room temperature: It is possible to thaw mead when it is at room temperature, by putting the bottle in the open on the counter. The temperature will gradually increase until the bottle is at room temperature. It may take some time. However, until then you can sip the mead slushy.
The mead can be thawed in the Fridge Then, you can freeze the mead and then thaw it in the refrigerator for a few hours. The fridge keeps the mead chilled as it melts the ice. It is vital to keep in mind that it can result in an accumulation of condensation in the bottle, which can result in a mess inside your refrigerator.
FAQs
Is mead closer to wine or beer?
Mead is thought to be more like the wine category than beers, which is why it has its alternate name “honey wine.” The yeast used for mead fermentation is similar to that used in the production of wine. One mead type that is more like beer is called a braggot. It is blended with barley malt.
Does mead aging resemble wine?
Yes, mead has the possibility of aging for a long time, especially meads with a darker color and the highest alcohol content.
Can mead be gluten-free?
Mead is usually gluten-free because the main ingredients include honey, water and yeast. However, because an innumerable amount of additives are added, it’s better to check with meadery (or brewery) to get the most precise information. For instance, braggot is made from barley malt, so it’s not gluten-free.
How do you drink mead?
Mead is usually served the same way as wine. It can be drunk by itself or at room temperature or a little chilled. Certain meads can also be mixed with to mix cocktails. It is your choice to experiment and find out what you prefer!
Does my mead contain sulfites?
Sulfites are a product of fermentation which includes mead and wine. In addition, sulfites may be added to the bottle during the bottling process to preserve the final product. Refer to the label or the manufacturer’s site if you are concerned about concerns about this.
Does mead improve as you the passage of time? Mead will get better with time but there isn’t a particular time frame for reaching the peak of quality. It is crucial to examine frequently to ensure that you don’t happen to miss the point that is when it’s good. The process of aging permits meads to become more mellow and has different tastes take over depending on when you consume it.
Can mead mold? Yes, mead can mold. It is possible for mead to develop mold in the event that the sanitation procedure and cooking procedure are not healthy. This can lead to the mead being able to develop mold spores within the alcohol, which will fall off as specks on the mead. This can make the mead taste bitter and to expire much faster, particularly in the case of exposure to sunlight.
Wrap Up
In essence, mead is an alcohol-based drink made from the fermentation of honey and water and various fruit juices and spices and herbs.
If you discover mead bottles lying around in your refrigerator or pantry and you are contemplating whether it’s excellent. As mead is an alcohol content that is high that it isn’t spoiled rapidly, you must properly store it to make the most of the mead. If you’ve learned the right way to store it, you can take pleasure in your mead for a long time!
