ORLANDO, Florida - The spirit behind humans' first fermented beverage is brewing in Florida. Unique Beers, Inc. (407-540-1100) of Orlando has recently begun to distribute honey wine (mead) produced by Redstone Meadery of Boulder, Colorado. Additionally, Pebbles Restaurants is the first chain in Central Florida to serve Redstone Mead to their customers.

Whereas beer is made from malt and most wines are made from grapes, mead is wine fermented from honey. Like beer and wine there are many different styles of mead possible since mead can also have fruit/herbs and spices added. Mead can also be dry or sweet and still or sparkling.

Unique Beers has brought three Redstone meads to the state. Black Raspberry Nectar, Boysenberry Nectar and Traditional Mountain Honey Wine. Tom Moench, President of Unique Beers Distributing states, "Redstone Meads are a natural compliment to our other unique products. These meads are like a malternative with integrity. We also really like that there's no sulfites added."

Both Nectar meads are served cold, sparkling, medium in sweetness and are 8% alcohol. Fruit puree is added after fermentation to play against the honey. Black Raspberry Nectar recently 'best of show' from the 2003 Mazer Cup Competition. Traditional Mountain Honey Wine, which is fermented from seven parts orange blossom honey and two parts wild flower honey is 12% alcohol and unfiltered. It just won a bronze medal at the 2003 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.

All three meads are packaged in 1 liter cobalt blue swing-top bottles. "The swing top allows our mead to last much longer than corked wine because they don't become oxidized as quickly," states David Myers, owner and chairman of the mead at Redstone Meadery.

Todd Levick (407-678-7001), General Manager and Executive Chef of Pebbles Restaurant says they like serving the Boysenberry Nectar in place of white wine or a spritzer. "It's a great alternative to beat the Florida heat," he states.

Recently, honey wine is seeing a swell of interest from the national media. News about mead includes features in U.S. News & World Report, The Washington Post and All About Beer Magazine. Spin magazine even stated that "mead is the next buzz".

Mead is historically referred to as "nectar of the gods". The word "honeymoon" stems from honey wine and the tradition of drinking it for one full lunar cycle starting on the wedding night. This is said to give couples the best chance of creating a male heir! Mead was also found in the Egyptian tomb of King Midas as well the Vikings drank mead before battle.