Humboldt County Department of Agriculture
06:00 PM - 08:30 PM on Thu, 4 Sep 2025
You're Invited to an Evening of Mead Mastery!
Join us for an enlightening gathering dedicated to the ancient art of mead, the world's oldest known alcoholic beverage. Often hailed as the "nectar of the gods," mead's history stretches back over 9,000 years, with evidence of its production found in ancient pottery from China dating to around 7000 BCE. Long before beer or wine became staples, mead was crafted by early civilizations across Europe, Africa, and Asia, symbolizing celebration, ritual, and sustenance. Vikings toasted with it in their halls, and it's even referenced in epic tales like Beowulf. This timeless drink, born from the simple fermentation of honey, continues to captivate with its rich heritage and versatile flavors.
Our special guest speaker, Paul Leslie, owner of Humboldt Honey Wine, will share his expertise on all things mead. Paul will dive into the basics of mead making: starting with high-quality local honey diluted in water, adding yeast to kick off fermentation, and experimenting with additions like fruits, herbs, or spices to create varieties from dry and crisp to sweet and dessert-like. Whether you're a homebrewing enthusiast or just curious about this golden elixir, you'll leave inspired to try your hand at it—or at least with a deeper appreciation for its craft.
As we prepare for our upcoming Honey Tasting fundraiser in October, please bring samples of your honey to this meeting for use at the Honey Tasting Tables. This is our last general club meeting before the event, so it's the perfect time to contribute! All types of honey are welcome—our goal is to showcase the diverse flavors from coastal and inland Humboldt County, as well as regions across the Pacific Northwest, California, and beyond. Feel free to include samples from your travels too. We don't need large amounts: simply provide them in 4 to 8 oz clear glass jars. Be sure to label each jar with the region or city of the apiary, the floral source (if known), and the name of the beekeeper or apiary. If you'd like any remaining sample returned to you afterward, just let us know.
If you're an HCBA member interested in selling your honey at the Honey Fest, we'll share more details during this meeting.
