Valknut Meadery brew named one of the best in Australia

The Crows Nest resident and lover of Norse culture can claim to have the best mead in Australia, after one of his Valknut Meadery products took out first prize at the industry’s top national awards last week.

Matt Anderson of Valknut Meadery at the Locals 4 Locals summer edition on the lawn of Empire Theatres, Friday, February 18, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

AFTER spending a decade perfecting his recipe for turning honey into one of world’s most celebrated drinks, Matt Anderson is certainly creating a buzz with his award-winning mead.

The Crows Nest resident and lover of Norse culture can claim to have the best mead in Australia, after one of his Valknut Meadery products took out first prize at the industry’s top national awards last week.

Mr Anderson’s lime mead not only won its category at the Red Hill Mead Show in Victoria, but also scored the highest out of more than 90 submissions across Australia.

While his business has only been open for a couple of months, the accomplished meadmaker has plenty of experience to lean on.

“I tried mead in Tasmania (10 years ago) and loved it, tried to make it and I’ve been making mead ever since,” Mr Anderson said.

“We do taste-tests at the markets, and nine out of 10 (people) are surprised how good it is.

“My lime mead won the best out of that category and all the categories combined.

“So technically I have the best mead in Australia — I’ve been laughing hysterically ever since we found out.”

Having earned rave reviews at local farmer’s markets across the Darling Downs, Mr Anderson hopes to open a cellar door.

It would add yet another boutique liquor and brewing option to the High Country Hamlet region, which already includes the Pechey Gin Distillery and Manifest Kombucha.

“The locals are pretty happy, because we’ve got this scene popping up,” Mr Anderson said.

“In one or two years time we want to have a cellar door in Crows Nest.”

For more information, head to facebook.com/ValknutMeadery.