World famous Schramm's Mead is now available in the Pacific Northwest

One of the world's most respected meaderies will begin distribution into the pacific northwest via Orcas Distributing this September. Schramm's Mead from Ferndale, Michigan has often been considered the top meadmaker in the world and amongst the highest ever ranked by consumers and critics.

Schramm's Mead is known for their intense fruited meads and dedication to artisan quality spices, and the highest quality fruit and honey from around the world from trusted farmers. These meads might be best compared with the world-class wines of France or fruit lambics of Belgium. Exquisitely balanced sippers that are sublime expressions of their ingredients.

Founder Ken Schramm literally wrote the book on Mead, he authored "The Compleat Meadmaker" which was published in 2003 and brought a new generation into home meadmaking. Before that, Schramm had founded the GABF of mead called the Mazer Cup Mead Competition in 1992.

Schramm was gifted a copy of Charlie Papazian's seminal book "The Complete Joy of Homebrewing" in 1987 by his older brother. The book had an appendix on mead and Schramm's first homebrew was based on one of Papazian's recipes.

"I joined the American Homebrewers Association, and got connected with some great folks early on. I found out that Bill Pfeiffer, one of the highest ranking beer judges in the country, lived a few miles away. He was also the 1985 "AHA Meadmaker of the Year." I got in touch with him, and he provided a wealth of advice," says Ken Schramm.

Schramm ended up hooking up with two good friends, Dr. Dan McConnell and Mike O'Brien to start the Mazer Cup. It was the first Mead-only competition in the US and is still the largest and most prestigious. After the success of the Mazer Cup and Schramm's acclaimed homemade meads, he and McConnell began frequently writing papers on the ancient art of fermenting honey wine. The pair became popular speakers at homebrewing, beekeeping and wine making conferences around North America.

Pretty soon publishers came calling and Schramm and McConnell considered multiple book deals. But, McConnell was a very busy researcher for University of Michigan and didn't have time, so Schramm excepted an offer from Brewers Publications to write The Compleat Meadmaker. The book was a bigger then expected hit, selling more than 70,000 copies.

Even after the successful success of his book and competition, Schramm had still resisted the call to open a commercial meadery. And he continued to hold out for more then 10 years before opening Schramm's Meadery with his daughter in 2013.

In 2020 Mead has more of a cult following then major commercial success, the pacific northwest has seen multiple meadery closures from Oregon Mead & Cider, Fringe Meadery to Blue Dog Mead. But in a time when small craft brewers are declining, Schramm's mead is expanding with an undiminished passion for the category.

"Our two watchwords at Schramm's Mead are Quality and Fidelity," says Schramm. "They guide everything about our recipe formulation, our ingredients, our processes and packaging materials, and what does or does not get released from Schramm's Mead. We make intensely-flavored meads from real fruit, the best spices we can find, and honey from beekeepers we know and trust. Our meads are true to the ingredients from which they are made."

Mead is often packaged and sold like wine in 9 liter cases, Schramm's is similar to a small batch artisan winery that has a devoted following. Their bottles range in price from $20 to $50+ and they only produce about 54,000 litres in a year. But the demand is there and Schramm's is interested in sharing it in the northwest.

While some companies expand and lose what made them special, Schramm's is doubling down by planting their own small orchard which will allow them to grow their own fruit and become their own beekeepers. They will also shift from leased facilities to purchasing their own buildings with a goal towards long-term financial stability.

"We are determined to expand only as fast as quality permits. That means finding distributors who are willing to work with a supplier who can only release products when they reach maturity, and who are willing to work with retailers who understand that there is not an unlimited amount of our products to continuously "fill the pipeline,"" says Schramm.

Orcas Distributing is excited to be the pacific northwest partner for Schramm's, bringing in both limited draft product and package. Bottles of Schramm's Mead should arrive at the distributor this week with a handful of kegs becoming available.

"Customers will be able to find 375ml bottles of their flagship meads and a few limited releases, like Cranberry and A Smile of Fortune, at select specialty retailers in all of Western WA.  People will be able to find a few offerings on tap at select locations in King and Pierce county," says Orcas brand manager Matt McLaren.

Rare sampling events for Schramm's will take place at Rainier Growlers in South Hill, WA on Sept. 15th and at Bens Bottleshop in Vancouver, WA on draft (date TBA).  Other mead kegs will appear at Elliot Bay Pizza, Peaks and Pints, and Downtime Taps.

"Seattle has a long and storied craft history, and knowledgeable wine lovers and craft beverage drinkers. Orcas understands and shares our focus and priorities," says Schramm.

About Schramm’s Mead:

Schramm’s Mead offers craft mead and beverages made with unmatched recipes and bold ingredients, which reflect an uncompromising commitment to quality. We support local beekeepers and suppliers and strive continuously for sustainability. Schramm’s enthusiastically supports the reputation and growth of the mead industry.