Vikings and Mead

I've been thinking a lot about Vikings and mead lately, probably because I've recently started two batches fermenting in the basement: a spiced pomegranate and a pineapple coconut. It's funny how much mythology surrounds this drink versus what actually happened. So here's the thing: Vikings didn't invent mead. Not even close. Archaeologists have found evidence of mead production in China from like 7000 BCE. That's roughly 8,000 years before the first Viking longship set sail. The stuff basically showed up independently all over the place: Africa, Greece, India. Turns out ancient humans everywhere figured out that honey + water + time = alcoholic goodness. The Vikings were more like really enthusiastic fans who committed to the bit. If you were an average Viking just living your life, you probably weren't sipping mead daily. Honey was scarce in cold Scandinavia. Making mead took time and resources. It was the special occasion drink; feasts, weddings, religious ceremonies, sealing…