Harvest & Equinox: Welcoming Fall with mead; Pu Lao and Muirdris
- dragonfiremeadery
- Sep 30
- 5 min read
As October ripens, the rhythm of the year shifts. Harvest baskets fill with late-summer fruits, the air carries its first crisp edge, and the autumn equinox brings balance — a day when light and darkness stand in equal measure. It’s a time of gathering, of honoring the abundance around us, and of preparing for the cozy season ahead.
At Dragonfire Meadery, we celebrate this turning of the wheel with two meads that capture the essence of the season: Pu Lao, a spiced pear mead, and Muirdris, a bold elderberry mead.
Pu Lao Mead: The Ultimate Pear, Ginger & Cinnamon Harvest Mead
As September fades and October arrives, the crisp autumn air signals the start of harvest season in New England and beyond. At Dragonfire Meadery, we celebrate with Pu Lao, our handcrafted pear, ginger, and cinnamon mead — a true taste of fall in every sip.
The Flavor of Fall in a Mead
Pu Lao mead blends the natural sweetness of ripe pears with the warming spice of ginger and the comforting aroma of cinnamon. This combination isn’t just delicious — it reflects centuries of spiced mead traditions. Spices like ginger and cinnamon were historically added to mead for both flavor and preservation, ensuring the beverage remained enjoyable throughout the colder months.
Honey & Fruit: The Ancient Craft of Mead
Honey has been fermented with fruits like pears for thousands of years, creating meads that were nutrient-rich, stable during fermentation, and perfect for harvest celebrations. In many cultures, combining honey and seasonal fruit helped stabilize fermentation and enhanced the drink’s flavor — a practice Dragonfire Meadery continues today with Pu Lao.
Myth & Inspiration Behind Pu Lao
The name Pu Lao comes from Chinese mythology, where Pu Lao is one of the Nine Sons of the Dragon, associated with sound, celebration, and festivity. This mead embodies the same spirit: lively, flavorful, and perfect for autumn gatherings or holiday mead cocktails.
Pu Lao's Story
Pu Lao, who was one of the Nine Sons of the Dragon King, loved the oceans and remained by the sea all the times. He was greatly afraid of whales though and thought of them as his archenemy.
When he saw one he would scream at it with all his might. The people became annoyed with this constant racket and a report was made to the Dragon King who upon hearing this named Pu Lao to be in charge of all the bells in China so that they would remain loud and true.
It is because of this association that Pu Lao’s image adorns the handles of bells.
Harvest Cocktail: The Pu Lao Mead Sparkler
Try this simple cocktail featuring Pu Lao:
4 oz Pu Lao pear ginger cinnamon mead
2 oz sparkling apple cider
Garnish: pear slice + cinnamon stick
This fall mead cocktail is perfect for harvest parties, seasonal toasts, or a cozy evening by the fire.
Autumn Food Pairings for Pu Lao
Pu Lao mead pairs beautifully with seasonal dishes:
Roast Chicken with Pear Glaze – sweetness meets savory
Butternut Squash Soup – spice complements earthy flavors
Warm Apple-Pear Crisp – orchard fruits in harmony
Cinnamon-Sugar Doughnuts – the perfect cozy dessert
Check out our full Autumn Mead Pairing Guide for more Dragonfire mead pairings.
Tradition & Technique:
Spiced Meads Across Cultures
Spiced meads, historically known as metheglin, were staples in harvest and winter celebrations across Europe. Cinnamon and ginger weren’t just for flavor — they symbolized abundance, prosperity, and warmth. Fermenting honey with fruits like pears also stabilized the beverage and added nutrients.
With Pu Lao, Dragonfire Meadery continues this time-honored tradition, offering a modern pear ginger cinnamon mead that honors history while celebrating the flavors of fall.
Muirdris: Elderberry Mead for Autumn Nights
As the early days of October bring crisp air and golden leaves, Dragonfire Meadery celebrates the turning of the season with Muirdris, our rich elderberry mead. Deep, fruity, and layered, Muirdris is perfect for cozy evenings, autumn feasts, and marking the balance of the fall equinox.
🌿 The Myth and Inspiration Behind Muirdris
The name Muirdris comes from Irish legend, tied to a mystical lake creature whose story represents transformation and hidden truths. Elderberries, long associated with magic and protection, were believed to guard homes and families. By combining elderberries and honey, Muirdris mead continues this tradition — a modern beverage inspired by ancient folklore.
The Story of Muirdris
Fergus mac Leti, the king of Ulster who was an accomplished swimmer was kidnapped by water-spirits. They brought him down into the water but he was awoken by the cold, this allowed him to capture the spirits and he demanded from them 3 wishes. He wished to be able to breath under water in seas, pools and lakes, and the wishes were granted with one condition. He was not to use his gifts at Loch Rudraige in his own land. In this Loch he encounters Muirdris, an undefinable horror.
Fergus is horribly disfigured from the encounter. His courtiers somehow kept the disfigurement a secret from the king for 7 whole years before a slave taunts his about his appearance. Knowing this to have been caused from the encounter the king goes to face Muirdris. The battle lasts a day and a night during which the Loch began to bubble like a cauldron. Fergus finally defeats Muirdris with his hands and in his triumph collapses to the ground in death himself.
🐝 Honey & Elderberries: A Historic Pairing
Elderberries have been fermented with honey for centuries across Europe, creating drinks that were nutrient-rich, flavorful, and ideal for ritual and celebration. Honey not only adds sweetness but also provides nutrients that help stabilize fermentation. The result is a mead that is both delicious and steeped in tradition — perfect for autumn gatherings.
Cocktail Idea:
The Muirdris Autumn Spritz
4 oz Muirdris elderberry mead
2 oz sparkling water or cider
Garnish: a twist of orange
This refreshing, lightly effervescent cocktail highlights the berry notes while keeping the warmth of honey and tradition intact. Perfect for equinox gatherings or quiet autumn nights.
Food Pairings for Muirdris
Muirdris mead pairs beautifully with fall foods:
Charcuterie boards with blue cheese, figs, and nuts
Grilled or roasted pork with berry-based glaze
Blackberry cobbler or dark chocolate desserts
Samhain-themed treats like spiced cookies or pumpkin bread
The Story Behind the Sip
Elderberries were historically used across Europe in both culinary and ritual contexts. Fermented with honey, they became central to seasonal celebrations, protective tonics, and communal feasts. These spiced and fruited meads were prized for their balance, richness, and ability to carry the flavors of the harvest.
With Muirdris, Dragonfire Meadery continues this tradition, offering a mead that is both a drink and a connection to history, perfect for marking the turning of the year.
Sip Muirdris this fall to taste the magic of elderberries, the warmth of honey, and the depth of centuries of tradition — a drink that celebrates both myth and the harvest season.
[Shop Muirdris] | [Explore Dragonfire Meadery’s Seasonal Meads]
Equinox Traditions
The autumn equinox has been celebrated across cultures for millennia. In ancient Europe, harvest festivals honored the balance of day and night with feasting, offerings, and toasts to abundance. Many traditions saw it as a liminal moment — a threshold where light gives way to darkness, and the cycle of the year tips toward winter. Raising a glass at equinox is more than seasonal; it’s ritual.
Raising a Glass to the Season
Together, Pu Lao and Muirdris capture the dual spirit of September: harvest abundance and equinox balance. One is bright with spice and orchard sweetness, the other bold and deep with fruit and richness. Side by side, they remind us that fall is both a celebration and a shift — a season of plenty, but also a time to slow down and savor.
As the leaves begin to turn, raise a glass of mead and welcome the season’s magic.