Oops, they did it again. Maharashtra’s quirkily-named Moonshine Meadery has just announced the launch of another new variant — hopped mead — with the fruitiness of Citra, Mandarina, and Amarillo hops overlaid with the sweetness of their own multiflora honey. Of course, that could mean some current much-loved flavours might be phased out. But that is the way all genuine craft beverage manufacturers work — with seasonal and fresh produce.
In the four years since their launch, much has happened, including a pandemic. Having said that, for Moonshine Meadery, one of Asia’s largest meadery, the focus remains steady on building the category it created — the honey-based alcoholic beverage beloved of the Vikings and celebrated in old Indian texts — a drink, arguably the most ancient in the world, but lost to time. For co-founders Nitin Vishwas and Rohan Rehani, it was time to reintroduce it to modern India. “It wasn’t a cool, new business plan — just something that checked off multiple boxes personally,” admits Rehani, explaining that mead comes from the Welsh word meddyglyn, referencing the drink’s reputed ancient medicinal powers.
