Kate and Denis Dempsey of Kinsale Mead Co. are thrilled and humbled to be awarded Drink of the Year from the Irish Made Awards for their range of Irish Meads.
Kinsale Mead has been honing their mead making craft and spreading the word about their contemporary expression of this delicious drink for 5 years now. Part of the process was a public vote for the finalists and with the rise and rise of premium craft Irish drinks, the competition was stiff. They have gathered a loyal and vocal fan base for their meads and are thankful for their support.
“There’s a certain pressure being Ireland’s first meadery in 200 years to re-create and re-imagine this wonderful drink from our Celtic past,” says Kate Dempsey who was in Dublin to pick up the coveted award. “It’s been a roller coaster ride so it’s a lovely boost to get this kind of recognition for the care and hard work we put in to make the world class Irish Meads in Kinsale in West Cork.”
“This win for Kinsale Mead is a celebration of our Irish heritage and craft,” said Brid O’Connell, CEO of Guaranteed Irish.
Fermented from pure honey and berries, Kinsale Mead is a great gift or a treat drink to share with friends and family at get togethers to set the world to rights. Off Dry and 12% alcohol, it’s fantastic with an Irish cheeseboard or platter of Irish food. The care and passion that Kinsale Mead bring to their drinks is richly rewarded by the evocative fruit flavours and that thirst-quenching pour. Always innovating, they have recently extended their range with a selection of limited edition barrel aged meads.
“We’re celebrating with a glass of autumnal Wild Red Mead made from Wexford blackcurrants, cherries and honey and a slice of toasted barm brack and butter,” said Kate.
This annual event is a wonderful showcase Irish Made products and the dedicated people who craft them. The supportive and collaborative environment and the obvious passion of the producers for their craft is one to be nurtured and celebrated. Available in many Supervalus, Celtic Whiskey Shop, Bubble Brothers, McCambridges and many speciality food stores and independent off licences.