NIAGARA PEACH MEAD ~ TRAFALGAR ALES AND MEADS

Trafalgar has explored different Ontario terroirs with their meads. This one explores the flavours of the Niagara Region and uses local peaches. Sampled from a caged and corked bottle the mead poured an opaque vibrant golden-bronze colour, with little visible carbonation and no head. The aroma is largely peach, with notes of honey, florals, very subtle hops and a definite booziness. The taste has huge juicy peach flavour, with subtle woodsy-spicy notes - it is rich and reminds me almost of a liqueur. The finish is a mix of sweetness (but not artificial) from the honey, sweet peaches, and a lingering booziness. The body is medium-full, the carbonation was soft and the mouthfeel was oily/syrupy. Overall ad decent mead, I think it would make a lovely digestif or aperitif served with some sharp old cheddar.

8.5% from Oakville Ontario

MUSKOKA CRANBERRY MEAD ~ TRAFALGAR

Trafalgar brewery and distillery have been working on a series that explores different terroirs of Southern Ontario. This is the third in their series. A ‘terroir’ is the combination of an areas climate, geology and flora. Since different areas have different terroirs, they produce different tasting honeys, which are fermented to make the mead. This mead uses wildflower honey and cranberries from the Muskoka region.
Sampled from a caged and corked bottle. The mead poured a deep, slightly murky cherry red colour with a near white head, which left no traces of lacing. The nose contained honey sweetens, cranberry juice, and a touch of booziness. The taste was primarily tart cranberries with restrained honey sweetness, with other fruits and malt in the background. The tartness almost had a sour candy quality to it – almost giving it a sweet and sour quality. The finish was astringent, not unlike wine. After the initial head dissipated the mead had very little carbonation. I found this quite flavourful and refreshing but simple. Worth a try.

8.5% from Oakville, Ontario

SAWDUST CITY ~ SEARCHING FOR LOMEZ BRAGGOT

Searching for Lomez Braggot is a one off braggot/mead brewed by James Benson. Sampled on draught, it poured a golden yellow. The beer clung to the sides of the glass. Honey was dominant on the nose, but there was also a lime citrus too. The taste was sour, like a Berliner, which was in sharp contrast to the nose. I believe the beer component of this mead was a wild ale or wild saison. The aftertaste was honey, with no trace of bitterness. The beverage was quite warming, but the alcohol seemed to be well hidden.
Braggot is a very old drink; it mentioned in the Canterbury Tales in the late 14th Century, even earlier records exist. Braggot is made by blending spices and herbs with mead (alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey and water) and beer. The braggot was created either at taverns or by the brewers.

8.5% from Gravenhurst, Ontario