This Saturday, August 3rd, is national Mead Day. If you have not tried or if you just thought you knew the world's oldest fermented beverage, it's a great time to give it a try. While there are a number of places that sample, sell and make mead in Oregon, there are only two Mead Day events we are aware of, one in Portland at FH Steinbart and a big one in Philomath at Nectar Creek Meadery.

If you are not familiar with Mead, it's an ancient alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey. Like beer, cider, or just about any other established crafted beverage there are many styles and techniques to Meadmaking. It used to be that most available Mead was sweet and strong, but these days session mead and sparkling mead have become a huge segment. Mead can be fermented with fruits and berries, with cider and even beer, carbonated, uncarbonated, sour, sweet or barrel-aged. In other words, if you think it all tastes one way, you may be surprised by what's out there.

FH STEINBART MEAD DAY CELEBRATION

In Portland, America's oldest homebrew supply store F.H. Steinbart will be celebrating from 11 am – 3 pm. Stop in for free honey tastings and to learn more about the newly forming PDX Mead Club. All mead makers are encouraged to bring samples to swap and share.

NECTAR CREEK MEAD DAY CELEBRATION

Nectar Creek Meadery is going all out for the 2019 Mead Day with a full day of activities, demos, music and celebration for all-ages. It all goes down at Nectar Creek's production facility and taproom in Philomath, OR (just outside of Corvallis) the party starts at 11am.

Nectar Creek will tap an abundance of specialty meads (19 taps of mead!) & other curiosities. Dress for the occasion and wear your floral prints. The theme is flowers and nature, and anything you consider part of Oregon's Wonderland - Honeybees included.

LIVE MUSIC :
Ludicrous Speed - 7:30 PM (8-piece Ska band)
Wild Hog in the Woods - 5 PM (Kickin' Stringband Music!)
Tom's Blues - Blues & Sunshine - 2:30 PM
Revel'n - 12 PM (Up-Tempo Bluegrass and Americana)

HOMEBREW MEAD 101 :
With Professor B. Bumbles from Corvallis Brewing Supply.
Joel will walk you through homebrew mead making and selecting the equipment you will need. This is a FREE tutorial but spaces are VERY LIMITED! Sign up by email : michelle.long@nectarcreek.com with the time your prefer. Sign up for one of the two times available: 1:15 PM & 2:15 PM

LIVE SCREENPRINTING - MEAD DAY / NECTAR CREEK shirts from Threadbare Print House! They will be on-site from 1-3 PM printing special shirts and tanks!

Oregon State Honey Bee Lab will be onsite providing info and honey bee education. All raffles will benefit their bee research! CHECK OUT THEIR VIEWING HIVE FROM 2-6 PM!

CHALK ART CONTEST :
Starts at 11 AM - first come, first to grab an art square! Or sign up in our taproom ahead of time or by emailing michelle.long@nectarcreek.com.
Bring your mead/flowers/honeybee/nature art ideas to color a space at the Meadery. Voting will go all day and the art that receives the most votes will receive a $50 gift card. Sidewalk chalk provided. Open to 21 & older.

SCAVENGER HUNT :
Be entered into the Scavenger Hunt Raffle when you complete the Nectar Creek Mead Day Scavenger Hunt.