Farewell to Summer, Hello Harvest: Raise a Glass with our Riesling mead- Apsu

Featuring Dragonfire Meadery’s Pyment Collection

Light, bright, and delicately balanced, Apsu captures the essence of summer — a refreshing bridge between wine and mead that pairs beautifully with warm evenings and late-summer gatherings. Think fresh salads with goat cheese, seafood off the grill, or even a simple fruit tart.

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A Brief History: Mead, the Ancient Drink of Transition

Mead — often called the “drink of the gods” — is the world’s oldest known alcoholic beverage, with archaeological evidence tracing it back over 9,000 years. It was traditionally consumed during times of celebration and transition: harvest festivals, weddings, and rites of passage.

In many cultures, mead symbolized abundance and renewal. Just as ancient farmers would raise a horn of mead to mark the shift from one season to another, we continue that tradition today. With Apsu, named after a Mesopotamian primordial water god, we honor this history of transition — a farewell to summer and a welcome to the bounty of fall.

Mead 101: What is a Pyment?

A pyment is a style of mead created when honey is fermented together with grapes. This combination bridges the worlds of wine and mead, marrying the complexity of vineyard fruit with the golden sweetness of honey. The result is a drink that feels both familiar and extraordinary — rich, smooth, and timeless.

In the past, meadmakers often turned to grapes and other seasonal fruits not only for flavor, but for function. Grapes added natural nutrients and acids that supported fermentation, helping the honey ferment more reliably while deepening the character of the final drink. What began as a practical choice became a celebrated tradition, with pyments enjoyed across regions where vineyards and apiaries flourished side by side.

Our Apsu mead carries this legacy forward. Crafted with Riesling grapes, it offers bright aromatics, crisp acidity, and a honeyed finish that balances beautifully. For those who love wine or are new to mead, a pyment like Apsu offers a welcoming first step into the world of honey wines — a blend of history, harvest, and artistry in every glass.

The Myth Behind Apsu & Tiamat Pyments

At Dragonfire Meadery, every bottle carries a story — not only of honey and fruit, but also of the myths that inspired them. Our two pyments, Apsu (Riesling grape + honey) and Tiamat (Merlot grape + honey), are rooted in one of the oldest creation tales from Mesopotamia.

According to this ancient myth, Apsu, ruler of the freshwater, and Tiamat, embodiment of chaos and the salty seas, united to give birth to the first gods. From their children came light, order, and the beginnings of the cosmos.

But harmony did not last. Disturbed by his offspring, Apsu plotted against them, only to be undone by the clever god Enki, who cast him into eternal sleep. Tiamat’s grief turned to fury, and she rose in battle against her children. Her form became the primordial dragon of chaos, only to be slain by Marduk, Enki’s son. With her vast body torn asunder, Marduk used half to create the heavens and the other half to shape the world. Tiamat’s legacy still blazes across the night sky as the dragon constellation — a reminder of the balance between order and chaos.

In the Glass

• Apsu (Riesling Pyment): A crisp, golden expression of grapes and honey, echoing the clarity and fresh waters Apsu once ruled. Perfect for late summer evenings and fresh, fruit-forward pairings.

• Tiamat (Merlot Pyment): Deep, velvety, and powerful — a bold red pyment worthy of the dragon mother herself. Crafted for autumn feasts, fireside moments, and dishes rich with spice and heart.

Together, Apsu and Tiamat represent the eternal dance of balance — light and dark, order and chaos, summer’s farewell and autumn’s arrival — brought to life in two extraordinary pyments.

A Seasonal Toast

As we bid farewell to summer, raise a glass of Apsu to celebrate the lingering warmth. And as autumn beckons, let Tiamat bring richness to your table. With pyments, you’re not just sipping mead — you’re tasting history, tradition, and the magic of honey and grape combined.

🍷🐉 Which pyment will you be toasting with this September?

📍 Find Apsu and more handcrafted meads at Dragonfire Meadery, Coventry CT.

🍯 Dragonfire Meadery – Crafting meads for every season, every story.