Not Forgotten 

Veterans Day 2026 release 

15.5%

Mead Details: 

This Veteran’s tribute mead was

crafted by our 2 favorite veterans at Maniacal, owner Michael, and our #1 production worker, Steve. This special-release mead is a tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of the men and women who have served our country. Built on a rich, complex foundation and aged to perfection, it is an opulent dessert-style mead designed to celebrate community and craftsmanship. 

This mead was made using Mexican Avocado blossom honey. It was then rounded out with pure maple syrup, Madagascar vanilla beans, and cacao nibs. The mead was about 7 months old before its release. The yeast we used was BCS-103

Karl’s tasting notes 

Not Forgotten

A new mead is placed before me, ready to be assessed. Not Forgotten here appeared seemingly out of nowhere, and yet some of its components sound familiar… Whilst not quite the same, for the ones that know, this almost sounds like it’ll be a new aged Honey Darko! Only the Not Forgotten favors an intriguing addition of avocado blossom honey and maple syrup! It should be interesting with the chocolate-vanilla!

First impression? The nose is a big WOW on the chocolate end. T’was more of a “chocolate chunk” experience, with mighty fine notes of the maple peeking through a honey sweetness. Indeed. Much like a porter style of beer, this mead has a rich chocolate profile on the nose with undertones of the avocado blossom honey’s unique scent woven with an almost “savory” (more barrel tannin) maple wood backbone. The vanilla is hiding under this impressive and proud chocolate forward, let’s see if it comes out in a sip!

Oh yes. That vanilla slams into the cocoa nib chocolate like a chocolate mousse dessert. Before the bitter semi-dark chocolate notes overwhelm this chocolate vanilla goodness the honey sweetens up the back end. Finally that maple kisses the finale of this mead tasting with its own hot take. The way this gorgeous mead blends together is nothing less than a decadent dessert; not too sweet but impactful and gorgeously balanced in each expression of flavor. No, this isn’t Old Man Darko, this is something new. A fine dining experience wrapped up in a bottle of mead. Outstanding!