It’s the world’s oldest tipple.

And for anyone unfamiliar with mead, a boozy little drink made with honey, the good people at The Centre of Food Culture Ireland—a not-for-profit quietly doing quite a but for Irish food culture —are kicking off their 2026 Meet the Maker series with something a little different.

On Saturday, April 18th, they’re teaming up with Kinsale Mead Co. for a deep dive into one of the world’s oldest (and most misunderstood) drinks: mead.

Founded in 2017 by Kate and Denis Dempsey, Kinsale Mead Co. is Ireland’s first new meadery in over 200 years, and their award-winning bottles are flipping expectations with styles that range from bone dry to richly sweet, all built on carefully sourced honey and West Cork fruit.

What’s happening on the day?

The event runs from 11am to 1pm and includes a proper meadery tour, a guided tasting of both meads and the honey they’re made from, and a series of pairings featuring local artisan cheese and chocolate. Educational, yes. But also suspiciously close to just having a great Saturday.

The whole point of the Meet the Maker series is to connect people directly with the producers who keep Ireland’s food scene ticking—beekeepers, cheesemakers, brewers, and the like—so you can actually learn something while you eat and drink.

If you’re into local food, curious about fermentation, or just want to spend two hours pretending you’re the kind of person who “understands honey profiles,” this is your moment. Tickets are limited, the tasting is 18+ (tragic for the underage mead enthusiasts), and tickets are €25 a head here.