A Sip of Something Different: Trying Hive Mind’s Dark Cherry Mead
Writer’s note: Even though these products were gifted to me, all the thoughts and opinions shared here are completely my own. My reviews are based on my personal experience with the products, aiming to give you an honest and unbiased perspective.
What I Tried
I tried the Dark Cherry Traditional Mead from Hive Mind Mead, drawn in by the combination of rich honey and dark cherry flavours. As someone who enjoys fruit-forward drinks with a bit of depth, it sounded like an interesting twist on a classic mead.
How to Use It
Serve chilled or lightly cooled to bring out the balance of honey sweetness and dark cherry flavour. Enjoy it on its own like a dessert wine, or pair with cheeses, chocolate, or rich desserts for a fuller tasting experience.
My Experience & Results
First impressions were that it’s smooth, rich, and slightly indulgent, with that deep cherry note coming through nicely alongside the honey. It does have a bit of a kick in the aftertaste, which caught me off guard at first - but once I added a splash of lemonade, it completely transformed it. The result was light, refreshing, and honestly so drinkable - definitely how I’ll be serving it going forward.
It was also one of those drinks that worked for everyone. One friend drank it neat and absolutely loved the bold, traditional feel of it, while another - who doesn’t usually like alcohol at all - gave it a try and was surprised by how pleasant and easy it was to sip.
Loved the versatility and depth of flavour; the only slight downside was that initial sharpness on its own - but even that just made it more fun to experiment with.
About the Brand
Founded in 2018 by brothers Matt and Kit Newell, Hive Mind Mead began as a small garage micro-meadery on the Welsh borders, born out of a fascination with one of the world’s oldest alcoholic drinks. What started as a passion project quickly grew into a craft drinks brand dedicated to reviving mead in a modern, accessible way.
At the heart of Hive Mind’s approach is a commitment to real ingredients and traditional fermentation. Every bottle is made using 100% real British honey, allowing the natural flavours of the hive to take centre stage. By working with honey rather than shortcuts like wine bases or artificial flavourings, the team aims to create authentic, small-batch meads that celebrate both the craft of fermentation and the importance of sustainable beekeeping.
Product Highlights
Traditional honey wine with fruit depth – blends rich honey character with deep dark cherry flavour.
Balanced sweet-tart profile – sweet honey notes are complemented by gentle cherry acidity and subtle tannins.
Wine-like drinking experience – sits somewhere between a fruit wine and a classic mead, making it easy to sip and savour.
Craft fermentation process – slow fermentation helps preserve the delicate flavours of honey and fruit.
Made with real honey, not shortcuts – produced using genuine honey fermentation rather than wine bases or artificial flavourings.
Price & Where to Buy
You can purchase the Dark Cherry Traditional Mead directly from the brand’s website:
Hive Mind Mead official shop - the most reliable place to find the full range, including this flavour, available for £27.50.
It’s also occasionally stocked by independent alcohol retailers and speciality drink shops across the UK, so it’s worth checking local artisan food or farm shop-style stores if you prefer to browse in person.
Final Thoughts
A lovely introduction to modern mead, this strikes a really nice balance between nostalgic and refined. It feels rooted in tradition, but with a flavour profile that’s far more approachable than you might expect, especially if you’re new to mead or unsure where to start.
The blend of rich honey and dark cherry makes it feel a little indulgent without being overly heavy, and its versatility (whether enjoyed neat or mixed) adds to its appeal. If you’re drawn to fruit-forward drinks or looking for something a bit different to your usual wine or liqueur, this is an easy, enjoyable place to begin.
_
Hana Ames is a professional content writer with hundreds of pieces of content under her belt. She is a cat and dog mama, a feminist, and a musical theatre fan, who enjoys cooking, playing board games and drinking cocktails. She has been writing professionally since 2018 and has a degree in English. Her website is www.hrawriting.com, and she is always interested in discussing exciting new projects to see how she can help your business grow. Catch her on Twitter @hrawriting, Instagram @hrawriting and Facebook: www.facebook.com/hrawriting
