Guided by sustainability and storytelling, a Cape Town establishment has revitalised an age-old beverage – mead – with the goal of disrupting a modern-day industry dominated by wine and beer.

Cape Town Meadery has introduced a range of mead beverages inspired by a 20 000-year-old Khoisan drink known as !Karri, which was produced from rain and honey fermented in a hollow tree trunk. The company’s products include Alvearium Gin (a double-distilled mead) and Braggot Lager, a refreshing honey beer.

"Our mission is not just to create exceptional beverages, but to be a bridge between the past and the present, offering a taste of history and culture with every sip," said Dr Ernst Thompson, CEO and Mazer at Cape Town Meadery.

"Through our diverse range of products, we aim to redefine the way people experience both sustainability and indulgence."

Cape Town Meadery’s products have been crafted with a 95% reduction in ecological footprint compared with conventional wines, championing an eco-friendly and community-oriented vision for the future.

Its flagship product – the Melaurea Méthode Traditionnelle mead – is an 18-month-old secondary distilled bubbly that has garnered widespread acclaim. 

As the tourism industry embraces its offerings, Cape Town Meadery is setting its sights on enhancing the tourism experience, offering a seamless blend of responsible and sustainable travel with pure enjoyment.

“The journey isn't just about tantalising the senses; it's about immersing oneself in the stories that have shaped Africa's heart and soul for millennia. The enchanting narratives interwoven with mead culture add an extra layer of depth to the tourism experience,” said Thompson.