Let's Misbeehave

Misbeehavin' Meads
65 Franklin Street | Valparaiso, IN 46383
misbeehavinmeads.com


Every time I think of this spot, I think of Elvis Costello singing Cole Porter's Let's Misbehave. (YouTube) So that's enough to put a smile on my face. But of course there is more to keep that smile on my silly mug.

mead /mēd/: An alcoholic drink of fermented honey and water. Old English me(o)du, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch mee and German Met, from an Indo-European root shared by Sanskrit madhu 'sweet drink, honey' and Greek methu 'wine'.–Oxford Dictionaries

What is old is new again. Mead is an old beverage with tradition and mythology tied to it. Honeymoons, Vikings, Ambrosia of the gods. To drink mead is to connect with humanity. But the offerings at Misbeehavin' are a far cry from the beehive filled with rainwater the hunters and gatherers may have found. Their concoctions are flavorful, rich, and balanced. It's not the cheap saccharine swill you get at some Renaissance Fairs.


From traditional to off script, their mead is delicious. They have standard mead with a single honey showcased to give you those rich flavors of orange blossom, star thistle, and even my favorite honey buckwheat. They have fruit infusions like strawberry, blackberry, and blueberry. Then they have fun and delicious experiments like spicy pineapple-chile, refreshing lemon lavender, and creamy variations of fruity (liquid) fooles. They have carbonated mead and ciders to add to the line up. You get the sense that they are carefully crafted. That's not just from the chatty, friendly owner, but it's the feeling as you sip the nectar of the gods. The balanced flavors just roll all over the tongue and leave you content.

It's not just about the mead, though that's enough. The environment is a fun and inviting one. It's right on the square in Valparaiso, IN. A quiet little midwest downtown. It has a patio to watch the passersby. Inside is all light woods and bright colors. The chalkboard runs the full length of the wall and lists out all of their beverages of the day. The music is upbeat jazz. Even the bathroom is interesting, with it's sheet music as wall paper. Two major themes: 20s jazz and bees. It works for me!

So, when I get the urge for a drive, or find myself out that way. You'll find me at Misbeehavin' Mead sipping ambrosia and getting a couple of bottles to take home with me.

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