Four Brothers Mead
The name says it all, but the story of these brothers is one worth telling. They are brothers, not in the traditional sense, but rather born from shared experiences of blood and brothers in arms. They have all served our country with honor, respect, and a savage resolve. Their bond is tighter than many biological families. A brotherhood forged in blood, sweat, and steel.
The four brothers are Bryan, Chris, Joe, and Dan and they all enjoy mead. Their name and vision was clear: combine their ancestral background with a drink fit for the battle-hardened warrior. So, they created an old-world product using only the best all-natural ingredients to produce a drink they believe is worthy of the gods.
How everyone met
Bryan enlisted in the Army in 2008 as a Combat Medic and is still currently serving. To date, he has had two overseas deployments with one to Iraq and another to Afghanistan. During this time, he became close friends with Chris and Joe.
Chris enlisted in the Army in 2005 and is currently serving in active reserve status as a Military Police Staff Sergeant. Bryan and Joe later joined Chris’s unit and deployed shortly after to Iraq. Then in 2010, Chris deployed to Afghanistan for his second tour and was operating out of FOB Salerno. Down the road, Chris, Bryan, and Joe became close friends; after another tour to Afghanistan in 2015, Chris went on to marry Joe’s sister and met his brother-in-law Dan.
Joe enlisted in the Army in 2007 as Military Police, where he met Bryan and Chris. Over the next few years, the three became close and were introduced to Dan at a family BBQ. After a full contract, one short extension, and a deployment in Iraq, Joe ETS’d as a Staff Sergeant in November 2015. Starting in 2014 Joe served as local law enforcement in St. Louis, MO. Joe now continues his service to our country and communities as a law enforcement agent.
Dan enlisted as active duty in the Air Force late 2003 as an Air Transportation Airmen and immediately deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in early 2004 under the 5th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron. During this time, he was responsible for the secure shipment of classified material and deceased personnel during the early days of the war on terrorism. While deployed he worked with Mortuary Affairs to prepare and send home our real heroes who paid the ultimate price. A few years later he met Bryan and Chris through Joe.
Okay, now on to the mead.
What is Mead?
Think wine, but instead of grapes, mead is made from honey and water via fermentation with yeast. It is usually mixed with spices, fruits, or grain to further enhance the flavor. Thus, mead made from local honey can showcase local flavors of the region’s blooms as well as a meadmaker’s creative craft. Mead predates all other alcohols as it can occur naturally in the wild via a beehive that takes on rainwater.
A glass of mead can be consumed in varying ways. While sweet, you can certainly imbibe like a beer, but I find it more enjoyable to drink like a wine, but I have also tried and enjoyed sipping on mead like a do a whiskey. Neat, and slow.
Meet The Mead
Four Brothers Mead currently offers 4 meads on their tasting menu. They are located in Festus, Missouri at 124 E Main Street 63028. They are just a few doors down from the Main & Mill brewery.
Odins Hrafn (Old Norse for Raven) is what we’ll call their signature or traditional mead. This nectar of the gods is a timeless classic as old as Huginn and Muninn, Odins Ravens.
Visual: Clear and light golden
Aroma: Honey and various fruits and wildflower from which pollenation has occured.
Flavor: Semi-Sweet
Mouthfeel: Smooth
Body: Envision a hearty wine. Not light, but not like a heavy beer.
Food Pairings: Meats, game, root vegetables, heavy bread.
Availability: Our Meads are available at all Missouri Friar Tuck locations, select local bars and restaurants, we well as on our website
Glassware: Old Fashion glass, and of course a horn or tankard.
Serving Temp: Chilled prior to serving.
Bjarga Kraken is their signature collaborative Coffee Mead brewed with Got Your Six Coffee Co. coffee. Bjarga (pronounced bee-yar-gah) in Old Norse means To Help, To Save, To Protect. The Kraken, as shown on GY6CC logo, has its arms reaching out to Serve Those Who Serve. This coffee mead is a tribute to those who protect and serve our nation and communities.
Visual: Rich coffee visual yet clear
Aroma: Coffee
Flavor: Semi-Sweet
Mouthfeel: Smooth
Body: Envision a hearty wine. Not light, but not like a heavy beer.
Food Pairings: Meats, game, root vegetables, heavy bread.
Availability: Our Meads are available at all Missouri Friar Tuck locations, select local bars and restaurants, we well as on our website
Glassware: Old Fashion glass, and of course a horn or tankard.
Serving Temp: Chilled prior to serving.
The Aesir (pronounced ey-seer) are the predominant gods which reside in Asgard, one of the nine worlds in Norse Mythology. Aesir Moon is perfectly blended with a crisp hint of Valencia Orange Peel. This mead is sure to warm any great hall.
Visual: Clear and light golden
Aroma: Hint of Orange, Honey and various fruits and wildflower from which pollenation has occurred.
Flavor: Semi-Sweet
Mouthfeel: Smooth
Body: Envision a hearty wine. Not light, but not like a heavy beer.
Food Pairings: Meats, game, root vegetables, heavy bread.
Availability: Our Meads are available at all Missouri Friar Tuck locations, select local bars and restaurants, we well as on our website
Glassware: Old Fashion glass, and of course a horn or tankard.
Serving Temp: Chilled prior to serving.
Yggdrasil Sap is a handcrafted Maple Mead. The Yggdrasil (pronounced ig-druh-sil) is the mighty tree at the center of the Norse spiritual cosmos. The nine worlds are arrayed around it and held together by its branches and roots. It is the sap from this Tree of Life that is captured and bottled in this incredibly smooth mead.
Visual: Rich Amber yet Clear
Aroma: Hint of Maple and Honey.
Flavor: Semi-Sweet
Mouthfeel: Smooth
Body: Envision a hearty wine. Not light, but not like a heavy beer.
Food Pairings: Meats, game, root vegetables, heavy bread.
Availability: Our Meads are available at all Missouri Friar Tuck locations, select local bars and restaurants, we well as on our website
Glassware: Old Fashion glass, and of course a horn or tankard.
Serving Temp: Chilled prior to serving
Heimdalls Horn (pronounced hame-doll) is a Cinnamon Fall Spice Mead and is a blend of Norse Mythology and the changing of seasons. One of the Aesir and the ever-vigilant guardian of Asgard. During Ragnorok, Heimdall will sound his horn Gjallarhorn signaling the beginning of the end of the nine worlds.
Visual: Clear with a haze of deep fall spices
Aroma: Honey and Fall Spices
Flavor: Semi-Sweet
Mouthfeel: Smooth
Body: Envision a hearty wine. Not light, but not like a heavy beer.
Food Pairings: Meats, game, root vegetables, heavy bread.
Availability: Our Meads are available at all Missouri Friar Tuck locations, select local bars and restaurants, we well as on our website
Glassware: Old Fashion glass, and of course a horn or tankard.
Serving Temp: Chilled prior to serving
Coming Soon
A couple of exciting announcements. Sometime in February Four Brothers will be opening a Norse themed tasting room for everyone to drink their meads. Also, they will be introducing their newest flavor, Blackberry, during a yet to be announced grand opening.
How To Enjoy Four Brothers Mead
Dan Luck is one of the Four Brothers. I asked him 5 questions to try and further explain the meadery, their meads and how St. Louisans can get into them.
How do you recommend people enjoy your mead?
I recommend people enjoy our mead surrounded by kinsmen, sharing stories of good times and days gone by. I like to raise my horn and reflect upon my ancient past, when my ancestors drank this same drink of gods and men!
Does mead pair with food?
Yes. Our mead pairs well with meat and root vegetables, alongside Scandinavian honey bread, heavy or brown bread. A hearty meal to keep warm during the long winter nights.
At what temperature should your mead be served and consumed?
Mead was traditionally been served at room temp (prior to refrigeration). However, we recommend chilled prior to drinking.
What type of glassware do you recommend?
Of course we’d encourage drinking our mead from horns, however we also recommend an Old Fashioned glass with a thick glass bottom. This is how we serve in our tasting room.
