Our Story
Nidhoggr Mead Co.: A Brief History
In the heart of York, Nidhoggr Mead Co. has revived the ancient art of mead-making. Founded in 2020 by Peter Taylor, a Viking reenactor, the company began as a hobby in his girlfriend Ellie’s spare bedroom before transforming into a thriving business.
A Fortunate Start
The breakthrough came when the Jorvik Viking Centre sampled the mead and asked if Peter was selling it. Their interest motivated him to start up a company producing mead commercially alongside his girlfriend (now his wife) and close friends John Bardwell and Severin Gammon. Soon, Peter and Ellie’s home was filled with fermenting batches — even their bathtub being used to melt raw honey.
Scaling Up
Due to demand, the company moved from Acomb to a 4,000-square-foot facility in Pocklington. Nidhoggr mead, made with 100% pure honey, mineral water, and yeast, gained a reputation for their smooth, refreshing taste.
A Mead for Every Palate
We offer a diverse range of meads, catering to both traditionalists and newcomers to the drink.
Our selection includes classic still meads, rich and full-bodied, as well as lighter, flavoured varieties infused with fruits, spices, and botanicals.
Expanding to the U.S.
Our ambition took Nidhoggr to America, securing £2 million in deals across 14 states, including distribution at medieval fairs and ren fairs. With over 40,000 bottles set for export, the company expanded production further to meet demand.
Award-Winning Mead
Our dedication to quality has earned accolades, including Drink StartUp of the Year and multiple international medals for our wide range of meads.
These honours cement their status as a leader in the modern mead revival!
A New Sparkling Mead Range
Building on our success, we recently launched a sparkling mead range, offering a modern twist on the ancient drink. A refreshing alternative to traditional still mead. Designed to appeal to both craft beer, cider and prosecco fans, the range aims to bring mead into the mainstream with a versatile, easy-to-drink format.
The Mead Renaissance
Our mission is to make mead as popular as craft beer and gin. By blending traditional techniques with modern branding, Nidhoggr Mead Co. is introducing a new generation to the “nectar of the gods.”
We feel we have proven that passion, heritage, and a bit of Viking spirit can turn a simple hobby into a thriving business.
