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IRELAND’S RICH HISTORY WITH MEAD

3/10/2021

 
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THE HOLY TRINITY

When it comes to St. Patrick’s Day, the “trinity” plays a pretty prominent role.  As a celebration with deep christian roots, the holy trinity of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit is front and center.  In fact, perhaps the most recognizable symbol of St. Patrick’s Day, the three leafed  shamrock, is also tied closely to the trinity.  According to lore, St. Patrick used the shamrock as a teaching tool to explain the holy trinity and christianity. 

Of course here at The Sap House Meadery, we are also interested in the other thing synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day; the consumption of spirits! So when it comes to  raising a glass in honor of St. Patrick, what is the holy trinity of alcoholic beverages? That’s easy!

Guinness. Irish Whiskey. Mead (Miodh in Ireland)!   

LATE TO THE PARTY

In fact, given that mead, is the oldest of Irish alcohols, we’d logically argue mead should sit at the head of the table for the holiday feast. It is believed mead is the oldest alcohol in the world, about 9,000 years old.  So it’s safe to say,  that when the Irish held their first Roman Catholic feast day of St. Patrick, sometime around the 9th or 10th century, that mead was well represented at the table.

Now don’t get us wrong.  We love a good Guinness, and there’s no debate Ireland produces some of the finest Whiskey in the world. 
But here’s the thing…they both were a little late to the party. 

It wasn’t until 1759 that the legendary  St. James’s Gate Brewery opened its doors in Dublin and poured it’s legendary stout.  But what about Whiskey? What about  Jameson’s?  Again, the earliest record of whiskey production in Ireland was in 1405, or about four or five hundred years after the first feast of St. Patrick. 

By the time Whiskey showed up on the scene, Teach-Miodhchuarta (the mead hall) at the ancient royal site on the Hill of Tara had been in existence for at least 600 years.  Tara was the seat of The High Kings of Ireland, and an ancient and ceremonial burial site.  Ancient texts show pretty detailed drawings of the mead hall nestled in and among this the  burial ground.   

MI NA MEALA

So not only does the historical timeline support the notion mead is the elder statesman of spirits, but it is clear it holds a revered place in Ireland.   Whether it’s ancient history, or the Ireland of today, mead continues to shape Irish Culture.  You may have heard that the term honeymoon stems from the tradition of newlyweds, in ancient times, drinking mead for one cycle of the moon because they believed it promoted fertility. 

While the honeymoon tradition is reported in a number of cultures from Norse to Greek, it is best documented in the Irish and Celtic traditions. In fact, the Irish word for honey is “Meala”, and The Month of Honey, or “Mi na meala” refers to the month after the wedding when newlyweds celebrated by drinking the mead they were given as wedding gifts.

Even today, in Ireland, and in some weddings in the United States, it is customary to recite the following, centuries old, Irish toast at the wedding:

NEWLYWEDS:   
            Friends and relatives, so fond and dear, 
            ’tis our greatest pleasure to have you here. 
            When many years this day has passed,
            fondest memories will always last.
            So we drink a cup of Irish mead
            and ask God’s blessing in your hour of need.

GUESTS:        
​            On this special day, our wish to you,
            the goodness of the old, the best of the new.
            God bless you both who drink this mead,
            may it always fill your every need.

So whether it’s death (The Hill of Tara) or marriage (Mi Na Meala) mead holds a sacred place in Ireland.  This St. Patrick’s Day, if you are serious about celebrating Irish Culture, make sure our award winning Sap House Mead’s are leading the charge.  They  shouldn’t be hard to find, as any good Irish pub likely has some on hand.  

We checked in with Nora Mulkern of Jackson, N.H.’s  famed Shannon Door Pub. For 68 years, the Shannon Door has been a mecca for all things Irish, and mead is no exception. 

 “While not everyone in NH is familiar with mead, our Irish customers certainly know all about it,” Mulkern said. “As an Irish pub we are fortunate to have world class meads made right here in Mt. Washington Valley”.

So rest assured, with Shamrock’s in the air, we here at The Sap House Meadery will be out and about on March 17th, spreading mirth and merriment.  We will be pouring mead, and doing our part to make sure the holy trinity of St. Patrick’s Day drinks, mead, Irish Whiskey and Guinness lands in good hands!
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The Shannon Door Pub is located at  9 Spancil Hill Rd, Jackson, NH 03846 
​You can find out more about them on their website.
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Author: Joe Fernald​
Everybody knows Joe! A native son of Jackson. When he's not slinging mead behind the bar or on the road you can find him building his own company, Winnipesauke Whisker Oil. The absolute best beard and skin care around.

Mead Cocktail Contest

3/3/2021

 
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Calling all bartenders, cocktail enthusiasts and anyone who likes to make tasty drinks! This is your time to shine!


We want your best recipe for an original mead cocktail. And we want it, well.. soonish.

Here's the fine print:
1. You must select one of the following meads to use in your recipe:
Traditional
Hopped Blueberry
Sugar Maple
Vanilla
Raspberry Jam Sesh
2. Your recipe can not contain any liquor above 24% alcohol by volume.

3. Submit your cocktail recipe to marketing@saphousemeadery.com by April 15th, 2021. Be sure to include exact measurements, step by step instructions and an ingredients list. Don't forget to give your cocktail a name and have fun!
4. We will pick our top three favorite recipes and make them on a live video. We'll try them, and pick the winner!
5. That lucky person will receive a $50 gift card. The winning cocktail will be added to our menu and featured on the Sez Says Chalkboard.

If you need a few bottles to practice with, order online and use promo code COCKTAIL to get 20% off any of the bottles listed in rule #1.

Emery Farms

1/12/2021

 
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In many ways the word “sustainability” has become a buzzword.  One look at Fortune magazine’s  “The Change The World Sustainability All Stars”  list is sure to produce eye rolls, as you wade through corporate giants like Walmart and Apple.

In light of that, it’s refreshing to visit a place like The Emery Farm Market & Cafe in Durham, NH.  Because, when the sign over the door contains the number  1660, you know you are at ground zero for the “sustainability” movement.  As the oldest family owned farm in the United States, words like community are in their DNA, and with all due respect to Fortune’s  “Change The World All Stars”, The Emery Farm is far more interested in who will be farming the land 25 years from now, than whether their stockholders should buy or sell.

Walking around the market with Stacey Hamblett, the farm’s Culinary and Wellness Lead, you get the feeling you are taking a master class in community and legacy,  where something as simple as the pasta they sell has an inspirational back story and thoughtful, environmentally friendly packaging.  

“We like to think of ourselves as an important part of the Cooperative Hub,” says Hamblett, as she approaches a counter full of mouthwatering baked goods, “A crossroads where we are thoughtful about what the land produces. Where many of our employees are graduates with degrees in Sustainability and Environmental Science. Where we source from vendors who pay careful attention to responsible practices”.

Indeed, the food at Emery Farms is always second to none. Whether shopping for household staples, warm donuts, or lunch,  their food offerings are original and fresh. How fresh?  Recently, Hamblett has been dabbling in winter growing in the greenhouse behind the kitchen.  The fruits of her labor are harvested, and in many cases find their way immediately into the daily offerings that are ever evolving.
The Emery Farms is a gem nestled between the seacoast and the University of New Hampshire.  It is easily accessible and a landmark for those who care about supporting small businesses with deep local roots .  The upstairs is a meeting area dedicated to wellness education, sustainability practices and community workshops.  

Listening to Hamblett’s reverence for the land and community, one begins to understand how the farm has flourished for centuries. “Every one who works here has a deep passion for this land,”  says Hamblett. 

“Whether it’s engaged discussions with the UNH community about our environment,  or the careful considerations we are giving to who will be the next generation of farmers to work this land.  We are so passionate about this place and this land that we love”.  
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Emery Farm is located at 147 Piscataqua Rd, Durham, NH 03824
You can find out more about them on their website.

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Author: Joe Fernald

​Everybody knows Joe! A native son of Jackson. When he's not slinging mead behind the bar or on the road you can find him building his own company, Winnipesauke Whisker Oil. The absolute best beard and skin care around.

The Penguin Gallery

11/23/2020

 
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The Penguin Gallery - North Conway, NH
Walking into the The Penguin on a quiet Wednesday morning in early 
November, one would expect to be greeted by sparse crowds. Throw 
Covid-19 into the mix, and it’s easy to envision empty aisles and 
salespeople with bored looks on their face.

And then you step inside.

One step off the sidewalks of North Conway Village and into the store 
and it becomes abundantly clear the magic of The Penguin is Covid 
proof. As long as the state allows them to open the doors, it seems 
there is no end to the throngs of people stepping inside to be 
enchanted by what they find.

“For 50 years we, truly, have been a gift shop,”said Tiga Scheupp, one 
half of the mother-daughter team that has run the store for the last 
decade. “We pride ourselves on having something for
everyone. Ideally something eclectic, and whenever possible something local”.

As if to underscore her point, two umbrellas float from the ceiling 
behind her, just above a rack of “My Fairy Wish Kits” and “Little 
Night Lights”. Whimsical enough, but noteworthy because one umbrella 
replicates a Degas painting and the other Van Gogh’s iconic Starry 
Night.

That’s the Penguin in a nutshell.
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Degas umbrellas dance on the ceiling.

​A place where impressionistic paintings mingle with unique children’s 
toys in an effortless way, all framed by the breathtaking backdrop of 
the White Mountains.

Moving through the store, shoppers are greeted by hand crafted 
jewelry, whimsical clocks,, beautiful floral themed gifts, and finally 
a sea of interesting wines. Well, wine, and waves of mead. Waves of 
our very own Sap House Mead dominating the landscape in the “wine room.

At first glance The Penguin seems like an unlikely place to find our 
award winning meads, but then again, this is the gift shop with 
something for everyone.

“People love finding eclectic bottles,” points out Tiga. “Our New 
Hampshire wine room not only has local wines, but we carry unique 
boutique batches you can’t find at the liquor store. Sap House meads 
are perfect and in high demand. They are diverse, high quality and 
made locally.”
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A fine mead selection.
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​In typical Penguin fashion, their collection of locally sourced meads 
is the most diverse collection that can be
found anywhere. A collection that must be seen to believe! Just like 
everything in The Penguin

But don’t take our word for it. Next time you are in North Conway 
Village, park the car near Schouler Park and step into the Penguin to 
see for yourself.

Ohh, and bring your cellphone!

Inevitably you’ll find yourself reaching into your pocket to snap a 
picture of something on the shelves. Only to quickly fire off a text 
to a good friend.

“You are not going to believe what I found!”.

​---

The Penguin Gallery is located at 
2655 White Mountain Hwy, North Conway, NH 03860 and is open seven days a week from 9AM to 6PM Sunday through Thursday and 9AM to 8PM Friday and Saturday.

You can find them on facebook at 
https://www.facebook.com/PenguinGallery​
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Author: Joe Fernald

Everybody knows Joe! A native son of Jackson. When he's not slinging mead behind the bar or on the road you can find him building his own company, Winnipesauke Whisker Oil. The absolute best beard and skin care around.

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Fri 3-8PM
​Sat      1-8PM

Sun     1-5PM

603-539-1672

6 Folsom Rd
Center Ossipee, NH
03814

                   What Our fans Are Saying

"What great people! Their new tacos are awesome, go have a snack, a cool drink (bluebonic tonic was fantastic) to go with it and support Center Ossipee!"
- Maren G.

"My boyfriend and I have visited the meadery and have purchased products for the past two years and are always impressed by the quality of their products! The owners are friendly and always willing to chat. This spot is a gem."     - Hannah R.


"Very good mead and very friendly owners! Also, great $3 tacos. If you are around the area, I highly suggest checking it out."     - Lindsay C.

Contact Us

  • HOME
    • What Is Mead?
    • About Us
    • Contact
    • Gift Cards
    • Donation Request
  • Buy Mead
    • Seasonal Meads
    • Sparkling Meads
    • Experimental Meads
  • Tours & Tastings
  • Club Mead
  • Mead Pub
    • Order Online
    • Cocktail Recipes
  • BRANDED WEAR
  • What's New?
  • Join The Team