Metheglin

Certainly, anything you ever wanted to know about meads and meadmaking, you can find here:

Just so you are clear Metheglin refers to Mead (fermented honey) not Wine (fermented Grapes or sometimes Fruit) though they are very close in several aspects. Mead has its own newsgroup (rec.crafts.meadmaking) and the people there are very helpful. Look for a book called _The Complete Meadmaker_ by Ken Schramm is apparently quite a good book (I haven't had the chance to get a copy yet). The planned Medicinal effect of the Metheglin will of course determine the herbs and/or spices used so you should consult a book on Medicinal Herbs or perhaps an appropriate newsgroup (like alt.folklore.herbs). Becareful what you use and how you use it as you can hurt yourself or anyone who drinks the Metheglin very easily if you make a mistake. Ken

I didn't realize metheglin was a mead. I'd prefer making herbal wines to meads, at least I think I would.

I've only made one "herbal" wine out of thai basil. Well, I did make a lemon balm wine once, but it was a disaster. Anyway, all mead means is you use honey for the sugars instead of white sugar. It is no more difficult in that respect to make and the honey adds some additional body and flavor.

Here's my log for the thai basil wine:

I like mead, in fact before I tasted my first mead all the wine had ever had tasted yucky. Perhaps I grew into the taste or perhaps my Dad just pickd wines that I didn't like (I'm betting the later as he picks very dry wines and I'm not a fan of dry wines). Once I did a little checking inot mead I realized that I had to learn a bit about wine. Then a friend served BBQ Steak and Rosemont Estates Australian Shiraz 2000; now I drink wine (and enjoy it, though mead does still hold a special place in my heart, and on my kitchen counter...). I recommend you atleast take a look at some mead recipies and perhaps buy a commercial mead or two just to see what they are like. Ken

Well, You can tell what a newbie I am. I supposed honey would be far more medicinal than white sugar. :-) Thanks!

Thank you for your input, Ken. Where would I find mead commerically? Would a regular liquor store carry it? Gaye

Yes, though it depends on the store and the time of year. If they have a website see if they have anything listed, if they don't give them a call. Depending on your location there are also several online liquor stores that ship directly to you (being in Ontario I get everything through the LCBO so I don't have an such sites bookmarked, perhaps someone here can provide some good links). Ken

Thank Ken. I'll look into it. Gaye

Instead of buying the Mead you could make it. I wonder to the possibility of you finding the metheglin that your looking for since there are so many varieties. Just from what I have seen ( and this is limited) the traditional meads are more abundant. I received two books for X-mas that I thought were pretty good for me ( a beginner with mead)

"The Complete Meadmaker" by Ken Schramm ISBN : 0-937381-82-9 "Mad About Mead" by Pamela spence ISBN: 1-56718-683-1

Thanks so much! Gaye