Mead, being a unique and traditional alcoholic beverage, faces several challenges when it comes to being sold in stores. One of the main reasons for this is that mead does not fit neatly into any current category of American alcohol. It is not a beer, wine, or spirit, which makes it difficult for many pubs and liqueur stores to obtain the necessary permissions to sell it.
Another reason for the limited availability of mead in stores is the lack of awareness and knowledge about this ancient beverage. Mead has a long history, dating back thousands of years, but it has been overshadowed by more popular alcoholic beverages in recent times. Many people have never even heard of mead, let alone tasted it. This lack of familiarity makes it challenging for mead producers to find a market for their product.
Furthermore, mead production is often a small-scale and artisanal process. Unlike large beer or wine producers, mead makers are typically smaller operations, often run by passionate individuals or families. This limited production capacity makes it difficult for mead to be produced and distributed on a large scale, resulting in a limited supply and availability in stores.
Additionally, mead requires a specific set of ingredients and production techniques, which can make it more expensive to produce compared to other alcoholic beverages. The cost of honey, the primary ingredient in mead, can vary significantly depending on its quality and sourcing. This, combined with the specialized equipment and techniques required for mead production, can result in higher prices for mead compared to other alcoholic beverages. As a result, stores may be hesitant to stock mead due to perceived lower demand and higher costs.
Despite these challenges, there has been a recent revival of interest in mead. Craft meaderies have emerged, producing a variety of mead styles and flavors that appeal to a wider audience. This resurgence has led to a growing demand for mead, but it will still take time for it to become more widely available in stores.
The limited availability of mead in stores can be attributed to its unique categorization, lack of awareness and familiarity among consumers, small-scale production, higher production costs, and the challenges faced by mead producers in obtaining necessary permissions. However, with the increasing interest and demand for mead, it is likely that we will see a gradual expansion of its availability in the future.