Taking a page from their mead-making roots, many of the ciders are made with a touch of honey to add a little depth to the drinks flavor. With a custom of making several fruit varieties of cider each season, Moonlight Meadery currently has on tap Currant Obsession, an apple and black currant cider that includes bits of honey during the fermentation. “This variation is so close to the mead process, it technically is one,” says Michael, “The tartness from the currants make it super crisp and refreshing.” By adding the honey during the fermentation stage, the white wine yeast eats up all the sugars and creates a smooth alcohol without any bite. When the aging is finally finished and the yeast is removed, the result is a cider with brilliant clarity and high ABV. 

 This touch of honey has become a not- so-secret ingredient with amazing results. Having won the best in show for the mead/cider division at The San Diego International Beer competition two years in a row as well as a top 20 spot from The National Honey Board for most influential honey beverage in the world, Moonlight Meadery has certainly hit the sweet spot. The honey is also True Source Certified or Certified Organic which guarantees they are using real honey that is ethically sourced to prevent damage to bees’ eco-systems.