Cider and Mead: How To Pick The Perfect Place To Enjoy
Do you enjoy a bit of history? Want something sweet and subtle to drink without the seltzer feel of a White Claw? Have you ever wondered which drink is closely related to the days of knights in shining armor and vikings sailing the seas? Not only can you find a fresh ambience and cozy space to enjoy an evening out, but you can also find a tasty drink to accompany. But it’s not just the drink that’s important. Both Mead and Cider alike are drinks meant to be savored and enjoyed! So how do you find the right environment to share a drink with your closest friends, or enjoy a slow evening sip by yourself?
We’ll talk a bit about what makes these two so special, other than it’s heritage and taste, and then we’ll get into ways you can pick which cider and Mead is right for you!
Brief History
Mead is often referred to as ‘honey wine’ because it’s a winemade from honey. Mead has a distinctive flavor but can be comparable to wine, which is one of the oldest drinks in the world! Its origins can be traced back to 7BC in China, where traces of a fermented process of honey and water was discovered. Mead can be enjoyed chilled or warm due to its versatile nature. Mixologists can easily experiment with Mead because of its adaptable nature and ability to be fermented in various ways using different things such as fruits, spices, grains, or hops to name a few. Brewers are expanding and developing new mead flavors daily.
Cider on the other hand, is made from fruit. Typically coming from fermented apples, cider is a beverage comparable to wine that can be sweet or very dry. Hard cider is actually an English drink from 55BC, and made popular by the Romans when they invaded and found the locals drinking the fermented fruit. Cider is also typically able to be mixed with other fruit combinations and spices to get a seasonal or new flavor, and because it goes through a similar process to wine the possibilities of this drink are endless!
To find the cider and mead of your choice, the next steps would be to type in ‘cider bar near me’ in your maps and to attend a tasting, or you could even try ‘mead near me’ if you would prefer one over the other. You could even broaden your search with ‘cider bar near Vista’, ‘mead near Vista’, or even ‘cider bar near Los Angeles’ if you’re really feeling the Medieval spirit and want to venture out a bit!
Even after performing that key search, how do you decide if the cider bar you’ve come across is right for you? How can you tell if it will be your new favorite haunt?
Picking a Local Haunt
So, we’ve picked our search for ‘cider bar near me’, now what? Of course you’ll scroll through the endless options. You’ll check out the hours and the menu. Maybe you’re in a neighboring area so you’ll see one or two in San Marcos, or in Encinita, but you’ll pick the one closest to you or one in a neighborhood you like and are comfortable with. The next thing you should definitely do is check out their website.
Is having a snack with your drink important to you? Do you like game nights or themed nights? Do you like a menu that’s changing or are you a bigger fan of the familiar? All of these questions can be answered by browsing the website, their social media channels, or even by checking reviews left by other visitors! Everyone has different criteria for what makes a bar their favorite, which is why cider and mead bars are particularly different. They cater to an audience with a variety of needs and wants, making them ideal for individuals or groups. Checking out the pages of what they offer will give you insight to what you can expect. It will also clue you into what others think. Speaking of social media, the next step is to visit their pages.
One of the best ways to get a feel of an atmosphere before visiting is to check out what's happening on a cider and mead bar's social media pages. You can see tagged photos, photos of drinks or events, check out comments and stories, and see what the local community has to say about the cider, mead, or other drinks the cider bar may have! It may even give you an idea of what events or game nights are like at that specific bar, or you’ll be able to see if the setting will accommodate all of your friends.
The last step? Give a visit! You’ve seen what’s near you. You’ve checked out the menu and location. You’ve visited the socials for that extra mile of making sure it’s a good fit. All that’s left to do is go. It may be intimidating, but you can always go to a tasting first, that way you don’t have to commit to a full drink or a full night. You can also gather up your closest friends and vote for which one to visit first. The most important part is to enjoy the time! Savor the drinks. Relish the personal touches in the cider, mead, and the themed atmosphere. These drinks are first and foremost meant to be shared and to be celebrated. It’s just one part of a whole experience!
Some Final Words
You may have noticed a few shameless city plugs throughout our guide, but that’s because we’re locals to Southern California and have a lot of California spirit. If you are located in the Vista area then give us a visit here at Twisted Horn! Or, if you’ve decided you’d rather stay home, you can find our cider, mead and other drinks located in stores all over Southern California. We also now deliver to 40 states! Regardless of where you choose, if you have any questions or would like to know more then feel free to reach out to us on social media or shoot us a message in our contact form. We’ll be happy to point your compass in the right direction!