Ironstone Meadery

Who says television doesn’t teach you anything?

Having seen advertisements for Ironstone Meadery, I was only too curious to visit the site and learn more about what a meadery is.

From what I could glean from the ads, the establishment offered up some kind of exotic alcoholic beverage that I never heard of.

‘Nuff said.

So what’s mead? Some type of medieval beer? According to my closest source at hand, Wikipedia, a meadery is a winery or brewery that produces honey wines or meads, and which sells them commercially. Turns out mead has been around for thousands of years and just like microbreweries, it’s making a comeback, with several meaderies within our area.

Full disclaimer: I’m not a wine lover or expert (or an oenophile for word lovers), but I was only too curious to learn what exactly mead is. From the ads I assumed it was a Dark Age or Medieval concoction due to the Viking theme.

Checking Ironstone’s website, I was puzzled why there was no food listed on the site. I assumed it was a bar & grill, although an email response said that while no food was served at the location, food could be brought to the meadery. Thus, in the spirit of Aegir (the Norse god of ale, beer and mead), I ventured forth. With some takeout.

Located in the Greene Township Building, my fantasies of entering a darkened space lit only by a hearthstone where brooding Conan-esque figures were slaking their thirsts, gathered to talk of conquests and voyages to far-off lands were dimmed.

Turns out Ironstone Meadery is a wine-tasting–I mean meadery—tasting station where bottles of mead or .25 ounce samples can be purchased and savored on site.

With the Viking code on wall and Arby’s roast beef sandwiches to sup upon (it seemed the most appropriate takeout for Nordic dining), I imbibed.

The APICO Berry made of blackberry and razzberry was a light, flavorful drink with a pinkish hue. The amber-colored Summerlands sample made of Bucking Wheat infused with strawberries, offered a stronger alcohol kick than I sought, while the Unholy Apple crafted from Amish cider and spices provided just the right tangy kick.

While Ironstone Meadery offered various mementoes of a visit to the site, I chose the most appropriate: a bottle of APICOLA Floral made with lavender and vanilla.

—Tony B.

Ironstone Meadery is located at Greene Township Building, 9333 Tate Rd Rm 205, Erie, PA 16509. For more information visit IronstoneMeadery.com or call 814-873-5957.