Lancashire Mead Company continue their venerable tradition of honouring ancient mythologies with Thrúd’s Mead, a dedication to the daughter of Thor. I’ve already covered Thor’s Mead, a literally intoxicating fusion of premium mead and Citra hop bestowed IPA flavour. In keeping with their theme, this second hopped mead continues Thor’s legacy with the use of Bramling Cross hops, promising a lighter, fruitier edge that still allows the mead’s own flavour to shine through.
This voyage through the incredible selection of curated bottles from Lancashire Mead Company is, sadly, coming to an end. This post will mark the fourth out of six bottles in total, and I must admit it has been an absolute education in the potential of mead. I’ve never tasted such intense variety in flavour across the same type of drink, from the exquisitely rich Aegir’s Mead to the clean, sharp chill of Skadi’s Mead. Both Thor’s and Thrúd’s have been packed with layers of taste that would make a memorable impact on any mead lover, and it’s been a privilege to write about these inspired creations over the last few weeks. Please do have a browse through their website and pick up a bottle – they have meads to suit every taste.
Without any further sentimental musing, let’s get stuck into the next one.
Thrúd’s Mead – Soft power, sweet strength.
Thor’s Mead had such a distinctive, instantly recognisable aroma for me that Thrúd’s came as a bit of a surprise. There’s still a very subtle scent of hop to her, but sweetness is much more present, underscored by what smells like light spice of some sort. This is certainly consistent with what the Bramling Cross hop typically imparts, especially with the faint scent of dark fruit chasing the honey’s first impression.
This mead is first and foremost sweet on the palate, rolling across your tongue in a gentle wave. Where her father’s mead is punchy and heady, Thrúd is delicate and slightly mystifying. I was clutching at faint threads of lemon and vanilla before a firm blackcurrant taste set in. Thrúd’s Mead is rounded out with a refreshing light golden ale finish, which, much like a good ale, will quickly have you reaching for another sip. I mentioned in my last Lancashire Mead Company review how well mead can exhibit the range of flavours hops hold, and that’s just as true with this one.
None of these flavours are especially overpowering, but nor are they weak in any sense. They’re brought together in those vaguely spicy notes quite well, the soft bed of honey remaining throughout. This is probably the most I’ve had to think about one of these reviews so far – they’ve all been quite bold and immediately impactful, but Thrúd’s doesn’t quite line up with my own particular tastes so writing this has required a lot of mulling (not an intentional wine pun). It is quality mead, without doubt, but the soft complexity of this particular drink puzzles my tastebuds a bit.
Thrúd’s Mead – 3.5/5
Thrúd’s Mead is a solid offering from Lancashire Mead Company that offers a more relaxed middle ground to those who want to expand their honeyed horizons. Without the distinctive, potent burst that Citra hops that defined Thor comes more room for the mead’s flavour to play out alongside the notes of blackcurrant and spice.
This is not necessarily a mead I would revisit, though I’m very glad to have tried it in contrast to Thor’s Mead as they use similar ingredients to present two incredibly different drinks. I’m sure that Thrúd’s subtle edge of blackcurrant and spice will appeal greatly to many, especially if you still cherish a powerful honey flavour in a metheglin.
Visit Lancashire Mead Company at their website to see their full range of artisanal mead.