This may be a few weeks overdue, but I have been quite busy lately...
So, I had a chance to visit B.Nektar on March 6th for their monthly open house and tasting. Let me first start by saying that I can visit several dozen wineries (and a meadery or two) within an hours drive of my house. These can be huge estates, sitting high on a hill a mile off the road, overlooking a lake and in the middle of acres and acres of vinyards, some offering fine dining and deluxe accommodations. B.Nektar is just outside of Detroit, a very industrial city. Compact and simple, B.Nektar is located in the back of what looked to be a warehouse with a sign by the road directing visitors to the door in the back.
Inside, I found the meadery was packed with vistors, and at times, the tasting line was out the door. After a 10 minute wait in line, my first sample was the orange blossom. Fantastic stuff. Wonderful aroma, just the right amount of sweetness, and aged on oak. They also offered wildflower, tupelo, wildberry pyment and a limited raspberry chipotle mead. All of these were awesome and I left with the last bottle of vanilla-cinnamon, a cherry reisling pyment and three others. One bottle of orange blossom was a gift to a friend, who immediately commented on the beautiful packaging.
Unfortunately, Brad was not there that night, but I was able to talk with his partner, Paul, about the process. It's very similar to the techniques learned on this site and one I've started to use at home. It allows them to go from pitching to bottling in less than 6 months (from what I recall) producing a very drinkable product and an avid group of followers.
Brad, Paul and Kerry have a great little meadery in Ferndale, and while it may not have all the flair and amenities of the big wineries, the final product is just as good, if not better, as any. Anyone in the area should not miss a chance to visit.
Sadly, I left Michigan with two regrets, the first is not having time to meet Brad for a personal tour while I was in the area and the second is not having time to start any batches of mead at home for another two months. I plan to make time for both this summer.
Keep up the good work, Brad!
So, I had a chance to visit B.Nektar on March 6th for their monthly open house and tasting. Let me first start by saying that I can visit several dozen wineries (and a meadery or two) within an hours drive of my house. These can be huge estates, sitting high on a hill a mile off the road, overlooking a lake and in the middle of acres and acres of vinyards, some offering fine dining and deluxe accommodations. B.Nektar is just outside of Detroit, a very industrial city. Compact and simple, B.Nektar is located in the back of what looked to be a warehouse with a sign by the road directing visitors to the door in the back.
Inside, I found the meadery was packed with vistors, and at times, the tasting line was out the door. After a 10 minute wait in line, my first sample was the orange blossom. Fantastic stuff. Wonderful aroma, just the right amount of sweetness, and aged on oak. They also offered wildflower, tupelo, wildberry pyment and a limited raspberry chipotle mead. All of these were awesome and I left with the last bottle of vanilla-cinnamon, a cherry reisling pyment and three others. One bottle of orange blossom was a gift to a friend, who immediately commented on the beautiful packaging.
Unfortunately, Brad was not there that night, but I was able to talk with his partner, Paul, about the process. It's very similar to the techniques learned on this site and one I've started to use at home. It allows them to go from pitching to bottling in less than 6 months (from what I recall) producing a very drinkable product and an avid group of followers.
Brad, Paul and Kerry have a great little meadery in Ferndale, and while it may not have all the flair and amenities of the big wineries, the final product is just as good, if not better, as any. Anyone in the area should not miss a chance to visit.
Sadly, I left Michigan with two regrets, the first is not having time to meet Brad for a personal tour while I was in the area and the second is not having time to start any batches of mead at home for another two months. I plan to make time for both this summer.
Keep up the good work, Brad!
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