About our Presenting Sponsor:

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Monks Meadery was started by two high school friends upon moving to Atlanta shortly after graduating college…

Like many recent grads, Martin Key and Justin Schoendorf found themselves relatively poor and possessing an insatiable appetite for craft beer. At the time, the selection in Georgia was quite limited; Georgia did not allow beer above 6% ABV until 2004. They thought making their own beer was the answer to their dilemma and the two enthusiastically dove into home brewing beer.

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As Martin and Justin learned to make new and interesting beers, they tinkered with various styles and recipes creating things that were not yet available in the market. Eventually, they stumbled upon an alcoholic drink made with fermented honey. Nicknamed “the nectar of the gods”, they were drawn to this ancient and relatively obscure beverage. Never having tried commercial mead before, they went about making mead the same way they made beer: carbonated with very little sweetness. Initial attempts turned out well and were upwards of 15% ABV. The ABV alone got their attention and it quickly became a product that they kept in their brewing rotation.  READ MORE >