THE VIKING ALCHEMIST WINS “BEST MEAD IN GEORGIA” FOR THE FOURTH TIME.

 
 

Marietta, Georgia – November 12, 2021 -  The Viking Alchemist Meadery’s Signature mead, Bliss, has been awarded Best Mead in Georgia in the 2021 Georgia Trustees Wine & Spirits Challenge. This year marks the fourth time that Bliss has won in the category. Described as a “sweeter” mead, Bliss carries a smoother, softer flavor than dry meads, allowing the mellow, delicate taste of honey to come forward. Brewed with pear and almond, Bliss has been described to be reminiscent of amaretto, inspiring memories of summer afternoons and warm meadows.

Bliss is one of the six Signature meads brewed by the Viking Alchemist Meadery, forming the foundation for a broad line of meads which also include seasonal and barrel-aged meads. Like all Viking Alchemist meads, Bliss is brewed with locally sourced ingredients, supporting the Georgia Grown movement that has been flourishing in the state, boosting local economy and nurturing our environment.

In addition to Bliss, the meadery won an additional 9 medals for other meads, including sours, for the first time.

Gold

  • Bliss: Almond melomel

  • Ethereal: Peach melomel

  • Skol: Cherry melomel

Silver

  • Saxon the Beach: Hibiscus lime, coconut, pineapple, mango & grapefruit melomel

  • Tone Loki: Mint lime sour melomel

  • Type O: Blood orange sour melomel

Bronze

  • Antinomy: Cherry Cranberry melomel

  • Mangata: Blueberry melomel

  • Laid Back: Orange, grapefruit, & Juniper sour melomel

Like all Viking Alchemist meads, Bliss is brewed with locally sourced ingredients, supporting the growing organic movement that has been flourishing in Georgia, and encouraging more apiaries around the state, boosting local economy and nurturing our environment. In addition to local, all-natural ingredients, all Viking Alchemist Meadery meads are also gluten free, offering an exciting alternative to patrons with dietary restrictions.

“Like many small business, we spent 2020 in survival mode, just keeping up with challenges as they came,” says Robin Kosoris, owner. “With a little more breathing room, we were excited to get back into the competition and grateful that the Georgia Trustees had kept it going. We’re thrilled that Bliss one but even more excited that our sours won!”

The mead category has been increasing in interest and popularity, over the past years thanks, in large part, to television and movies popularizing the drink. Though there have been innovations in flavor profiles, the industry has not seen a dramatic change until this year.

Last year, the Viking Alchemist Meadery introduced an entire line of sour meads, fermented with lactobacillus. Though common among beers, the addition has not been widely tried with mead. Today, the meadery has more than 6 taps dedicated to sour meads and plans to bring it to market as a session mead in bottles.


About the Viking Alchemist Meadery
The Viking Alchemist is a family and veteran owned Meadery and Cidery, established in 2015, Marietta GA. The Mead is sold and distributed throughout Georgia with a tasting room open Thursday-Sunday. Over the 5 years of operation, the Meadery has developed a reputation for merging modern sensibilities with the ancient craft of mead making, earning the reputation of an “alchemist.”

About Georgia in the Georgia Trustees Wine & Spirits Challenge
Founded by Parks Redwine, Jane Garvey, and Douglas Mabry, the Georgia Trustees Wine and Spirits Challenge recognizes the increased excellence of Georgia-produced wines and wines produced from out-of-state-grown grapes by Georgia vintners. Since 2016, the “Challenge” has been the measure of the progress made by the Georgia wine industry and a means by which peer review can foster industry improvements.

 

Eric Berrios