I just received word from a friend whom is excited about a new “meadery” opening in Ypsilanti, which is roughly a half mile from his house. Learn more about that story here.

Ypsilanti already has three “craft beer” establishments – Arbor Brewing Company Microbrewery (aka the “Corner Brewery” to locals open since 2006), YpsiAlehouse (opened in 2016) and 734 Brewery, which opened in the summer of 2018. There is also a “tasting room” owned by Unity Vibration which opened recently, which serves alcoholic “Kombucha” drinks (not something I’m interested in, but I guess it’s gluten free or some other thing that appeals to hipsters). I’ll stick to regular old beer and liquor when I want to get my drink on!

Side note, when I stupidly attended a beer festival – with a hangover – in 2009, someone suggested I try the non-alcoholic version of “Kombucha” because it would “supposedly” settle my stomach. IT DID NOTHING. I haven’t attempted to choke that stuff down ever since. The only thing setting me right that day was a three-ounce pour of CEO (chocolate, espresso, oatmeal) stout from Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City, MI. Hair of the dog? Perhaps! I think the caffeine in the espresso might have helped a bit!

As for a new mead joint opening nearby? Yes, please! I have a neighbor named Matt whom is considered to be among the best, in local “brewing” circles – at making mead, which means he’s essentially a “master” of mead making. He gave us a batch to try once, which I described to him later like this:

It belongs in Elrond’s private reserve.

Elrond (played by Hugo Weaving) in The Lord of the Rings – deciding whether to offer his “private reserve” mead to his guests…

If you’re not a Lord of the Rings fan, then this reference might go over your head. But if you are, then you already know that my words were a high compliment indeed! The Elven character Elrond was a very important and well-respected Elven character in J.R.R. Tolkien’s world of “Middle-Earth,” and he would likely have nothing but the very best in terms of “adult beverages” for his people – and his guests at his beautiful mountainside dwelling “Rivendell.”

Elrond’s “private reserve” mead – would NOT be served to just any “guests” – but only to the most esteemed -and important ones!

This new mead “joint” won’t be too far from where I live – so I’m sure my husband and I will be checking it out!