Chaucer's Mead, Is it a prime example of mead? Options

[Bosco]

I'm gearing up for the Group Brew Mead and I've never tried mead, I went out looking for some and all I could find was Chaucer's. I tried it at room temp and found it tasted very sweet(too sweet for me), but the smell of, for lack of better terms, turpentine. I also tried it chilled which was much better on the nose. I wasn't motivated to try it heated with the spices (I thought heating it would bring out more of the smell). I could drink this on occasion, but I don't think I'd find myself craving it. I'm really in no position to really critique Chaucer's, hence the poll. I'd like to know if the mead I'll be making in a couple weeks will be better than Chaucer's and are there any other brands I should search for?

edit: I forgot to post my vote(thanks HighTest) I gave it a 6 since I had nothing else to compare it to.

This post has been edited by Bosco: Jan 24 2005, 09:28 AM

[HighTest]

Chaucer's "mead" is not a true mead. It's more like a honey flavored apple wine. I suspect most home brewed meads will taste better that Chaucer's - after proper aging... (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/wink.gif)

There is are excellent Polish meads available, one of which was recently added to this review section. A quick search should locate it.

Since my vote was the first, it looks like you didn't vote in your review - hint, hint... (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/smile.gif)

[ScottS]

Nasty stuff. It pains me that many people have this stuff as their first experience with mead. Any homebrewer should easily be able to make FAR better mead than this, with proper equipment, ingredients, and most of all, patience.

[PMR]

I spent $12 for this POS mead. It was my first mead, and did not give me a good impression of mead. Since then, I've had Redstone Meadery's mead and it was much better.

[phalanxausage]

It's ok if you only have about a tablespoon of it. I like a sweet mead but this stuff is downright cloying. Anything with as big a flavor as this should have plenty of depth & complexity, both of which are completely lacking. Big shot o' sugar.

[Frank]

I've tried about half-dozen or so commercial meads and Chaucer's is definitely not the worst by a stretch (that dubious title goes to Lurgashal, the hangover menace). I gave it a seven as I rather liked the stuff--very grapey and fruity, quite pleasant at room temperature or mulled with the spices. I agree with Hightest, though, far and away the best meads I've had are Polish in origin. I'd like to try to homebrew one but the aging times on those range from 4 to 25(!) years. I haven't even been alive for 25 years.

[HighTest]

...the best meads I've had are Polish in origin. I'd like to try to homebrew one but the aging times on those range from 4 to 25(!) years. I haven't even been alive for 25 years.

Agreed. In fact one of those Polish Meads is listed in this Review forum.

Although time improves mead, many can be good after 2 years. Being less than 25, you better get started making some - you've got lots of time... (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/smile.gif)

[stout_fan]

I have to confess, I've never tried it at room temp.
Chilled, I found it quite nice.
Some people ding it because it is sweet. Odly enough, IMHO dry meads don't fare as well at tastings.
Now here's a neat trick to Chaucers.
One month before you want to serve it, Grab your dishonest butler and remove the cork.
Remove a 1 oz sample (got to make sure it is good right?)
Insert the spice bag, and recork.
One month later you will have a spectacular Metheglyn.
Serve tihis one chilled as well.

Personally I have only one mead that tastes better at room temp. It's a 25 pounder!
(IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/omg.gif)

[TimApNy]

I did not care for it at all.

[borny]

Ug, just bought a bottle the other day. Now, I wish I would've gone for a different Wild Blossom mead..... Going to try it anyway....

[borny]

Tried this last night and did not like it at all. Smell sweet, with a strong vinyl/turpintine aroma that burned my nose. The taste was sweet, no honey character and it burned the the side of my tongue. After a couple sips I tossed it. My wife hated it too!

[sherlock holmboy]

Tried this last night and did not like it at all. Smell sweet, with a strong vinyl/turpintine aroma that burned my nose. The taste was sweet, no honey character and it burned the the side of my tongue. After a couple sips I tossed it. My wife hated it too!

Did you drink it cold?

This post has been edited by sherlock holmboy: Oct 28 2006, 03:06 PM

[borny]

Did you drink it cold?

drunk it cold and mulled with spices..... wasn't impressed and had an apple cider taste to it....

[sherlock holmboy]

FWIW, I would leave out the mulling spices. I left 'em out and I would rank it (quality wise) with a mediocre chardonnay; not terribly bad, but definitely not good. But it's the only commercial mead I've come across and my own mead made out of Smart and Final honey is about nine months old and tastes way better.

[jocosa]

At least save the brown bottles... they're always good for reusing. (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/smile.gif)