Step into Tradition, Sip to the Future

Redstone Meadery redefines libation in Boulder County

By Christopher C. Wuensch

At Redstone Meadery, every sip is filled with a splash of history and a hint of the future. 

The quaint, sun-tinted meadery offers a variety of unique meads by the glass and for purchase, as well as daily tastings. A fan favorite is its flagship Black Raspberry Nectar a try.

“It’s the oldest beverage in the world that no one’s ever heard of,” said Redstone Meadery founder David Myers, also known as the Chairman of the Mead, of the honey wine, which can trace its roots to the early steps  of civilization.

Myers and Redstone Meadery are out to change that perception, and the libational palette of Boulder County and beyond, as the number one all-natural mead distributor in the country.

Conveniently situated off the Foothills Parkway at 4700 Pearl Street, Redstone Meadery planted its own roots in 2001 at the turn of the century.

It’s a fortuitous moment in history for mead, Myers explains, noting its cyclical pattern of popularity, resurfacing every few centuries. This resurgence aligns seamlessly with the contemporary shift in public taste toward premium craft beverages.

Meet the Mead of Redstone

When it comes to every batch of mead, Redstone relies on the “all-natural philosophy:” Think no sulfites added, gluten-free and plenty of natural ingredients. They’re brewed on site and delicately tuned to the palates of Myers and Redstone’s brewmaster of nearly a decade, Marc Anievas.

Every mead boasts its distinctive style, shaped by the variety of honey used—whether it’s clover, wildflower or a plethora of other types—much like how grapes mold wine or grains influence beer.

Redstone sources 75 percent of its honey locally from Colorado with the remaining arriving from Arizona apiaries.

“It has such a wide range,” said Myers, who was a craft beer fan and home brewer prior to opening Redstone. “Think of it as a singular beverage that’s as wide-ranging as beer and wine.”

Redstone’s Nectars, Reserves and Mountain Honey Wines are barrel-aged and can ferment anywhere from three months to 10 years. Redstone’s Peach Reserve, for example, dates to 2011, while its Red Raspberry Reserve began the aging process in 2007.

The result is a flavor spectrum that may encompass sweetness, yet it can also challenge any preconceived notions of being exclusively sweet.

They accomplish this with meads that can be medium, dry, spicy and more, depending on the honey and all-natural ingredients used, which include many fruits and spices, including orange blossom and juniper. 

As for Myers, the Chairman of Mead? He recommends his favorites like the Blackberry Raspberry Nectar and the Vanilla Beans and Cinnamon Sticks Mountain Honey Wine, which you can pair with spicy food, salmon or even alongside some rum.

But he must admit, his real favorite is the one he’s currently enjoying at the moment.

How Redstone Paved the Road

It didn’t take long for Redstone to find award-winning success while self-distributing during their first five years.

In 2003, the brewery coaxed the International Mead Festival, now known as the Mazer Cup, to Boulder. The event moved to Kansas City in 2021, but not before the Redstone brand had a chance to flex as one of the country’s top mead distributors.

These days, you’ll find Redstone Meadery in more than 400 locations in 40 states.

That’s impressive considering there are roughly 500 meaderies in the United States (up from around 60 in 2003) contributing toward an annual $488 million industry nationwide.

When you’re ready to quench your thirst, you’ll find the Redstone Meadery tap room open from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday and noon to 5pm on Saturday.

A short stroll or bike ride brings you to the serene setting where you can immerse yourself in the ancient art of mead making, feeling as though you’ve journeyed centuries back in time.

Give them a look at redstonemeadery.com and a follow on Facebook and Twitter @redstonemeadery.