What is a Braggot Anyway?

What is a Braggot Anyway?

So, what is a braggot anyway?

Braggot is what happens when honey meets beer. Some say braggot is a beer mixed with another of the oldest-known fermented beverages: mead. And others say that braggot is a mead made with grains and hops. Either way, the history of this hybrid beverage is, like almost all beer history, disputed. Historic references suggest braggot is a Celtic drink dating back to at least the 12th century. Braggot was a common and distinctive drink throughout medieval and post-Renaissance Europe, and today remains the traditional drink of Wales.

Many say that braggot is traditionally made with 50% honey and 50% malt, although there is no hard and fast rule. The honey can be blended into the beer during fermentation, or it can be added to the kettle during the boil. Some even say that a tavern can simply create its own house blend of braggot by mixing beer, mead, and spices right at the bar.

One of our specialty release braggots, Night on Ghost Mountain, was made with 51% malt and 49% honey. The malt portion consists of 100% oats, which creates a smooth and silky body (that is also gluten free!). We added a load of blackberry honey, marionberries and black currants during fermentation, and then aged it for a year in Portuguese port barrels. After removing it from the barrels we added even more honey before corking it in bottles. This collaboration with Lost Cause Meadery is packaged still and served like a mead.

For those of you who don’t know what to expect, we would compare this to a dessert wine. A perfect companion for cold winter nights, be sure to get yourself a bottle for the holiday, or two– they are perfect for cellaring…Or three–they make for a special gift too!

What is Mead?

Mead is an alcoholic beverage that is created by fermenting honey with water. Depending on the recipe, mead can also include various fruits, spices, grains, or hops. The alcohol content in mead can vary widely, usually between 5% and 20%, depending on the fermentation process and ingredients used. There are different types of mead, including but not limited to, traditional mead (honey and water), melomel (honey, water, and fruit), pyment (honey, water, and grapes), and cyser (honey, water, and apples).