As the warmth of summer begins to mellow into the crisp embrace of fall, there’s a sweetness in the air that’s hard to miss. September is a month of transition, a time when nature starts to prepare for the colder months ahead. It's also a perfect time to celebrate the natural sweetness of honey and the ancient art of mead-making.
Here at Dragonfire Meadery when September hits, it gets us thinking of the flavors of fall. Apples, pumpkins and pears. We love to sit outside around our outdoor fireplace and enjoy a nice warming glass of mead. What could be better then some Ladon or Pu Lao warming you from the inside and a nice fire from the outside.
September and Ladon Apple Mead: A Perfect Pairing for the Season
September marks the beginning of apple season, a time when orchards are bursting with ripe, juicy apples ready for picking. This month, why not celebrate the season by exploring Ladon an apple mead—a delicious fusion of fresh apples and honey that captures the essence of early fall?
What is Apple Mead?
Apple mead, often referred to as "cyser," is a type of mead made by fermenting honey with apple juice or cider. This combination creates a drink that’s both refreshing and complex, offering the crispness of apples and the smooth, honeyed notes of traditional mead. Apple mead can be made sweet, semi-sweet, or dry, depending on the amount of honey and the fermentation process. If you haven't tried Dragonfire Meadery's Ladon- apple mead there is no time like the fall to enjoy it. Ladon is on the semi-sweet/ semi-dry scale. Some say it is reminiscent of a whiskey with an apple undertone.
How to Enjoy Apple Mead This September
Mead Tasting: Host a tasting party featuring different types of fall meads. Pair them with seasonal cheeses like sharp cheddar, brie, or gouda, as well as apple slices, honey-drizzled nuts, and crusty bread. This is a great way to explore the flavor profiles and discover your favorite style. We would recommend trying Ladon, Storice and our newest Pu Lao meads.
Apple Mead Cocktails: Use Ladon as a base for fall-inspired cocktails. Here are a few to try:
Apple Mead Mule: Combine Ladon with ginger beer, lime juice, and a slice of fresh apple for garnish. Serve it over ice in a copper mug for a refreshing twist on the classic Moscow Mule.
Honey Apple Sangria: Mix Ladon with white wine, apple slices, cinnamon sticks, a splash of orange juice, and a touch of brandy. Let it chill for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld together for a perfect autumn sangria.
Cooking with Apple Mead: Ladon can add a unique depth of flavor to your cooking. Try it in marinades, sauces, or even baked goods. Here are a couple of ideas:
Apple Mead-Glazed Pork Chops: Marinate pork chops in a mixture of apple mead, honey, garlic, thyme, and a bit of apple cider vinegar. Grill or pan-sear the chops and reduce the marinade into a glaze for a rich, tangy finish.
Apple Mead Caramel Sauce: Make a caramel sauce by simmering apple mead with sugar and butter until thickened and golden. Drizzle over apple pie, ice cream, or warm bread pudding for a decadent dessert.
Embrace the Beauty of September: Finding Joy in the Small Moments
September is a time of change—not just in nature but in our lives too. As we move from the energetic pace of summer into the reflective, cozy vibes of fall, it’s a great moment to slow down, appreciate the transitions, and find joy in the small things. Here are some simple ways to embrace this period:
Savor Seasonal Flavors: Enjoy the tastes of early fall by cooking with seasonal ingredients like apples, pumpkins, and of course, mead! A warm cup of tea or a slice of honey-drizzled toast can be a perfect comfort as the days get cooler.
Take Mindful Walks: Spend some time outside, even if it’s just a short walk around your neighborhood. Notice the leaves beginning to change, the cooler breeze, and the softer light. These little moments can be grounding and help you stay present.
Create a Cozy Corner: With the season changing, it’s a great time to make your space cozier. Add some soft blankets, light a honey-scented candle, or curl up with a good book and a warm cup of mead or tea. Creating a space that brings you comfort can help you transition smoothly into fall.
Practice Gratitude: This transition period is perfect for reflecting on what you’re grateful for. Take a few minutes each day to jot down three things that bring you joy. Whether it’s the first sip of morning coffee, a chat with a friend, or the sound of leaves crunching underfoot, these small moments add up to a happier mindset.
Connect with Nature’s Rhythms: Just as bees prepare for winter, we too can align with nature’s rhythms. Start preparing for the season by decluttering, organizing, or planning new projects that will keep you inspired and grounded through the fall.
As we move into this next season, let’s find time to slow down, savor the small joys, and appreciate the beautiful transitions happening all around us.
This is an important time for bees as well. No Bees, No Honey. No Honey No Mead.
Honey Harvesting in September: A Crucial Time for Beekeepers
September is a pivotal month for beekeepers and their bees. As summer winds down, bees are busy making final preparations for the upcoming winter. This time is crucial for honey harvesting, but it’s also important to ensure that the bees have what they need to survive the colder months.
1. The Honey Harvest: Timing and Techniques
Honey harvesting in September involves collecting the surplus honey that bees have produced throughout the summer. This honey is stored in the outer frames of the hive, while the bees keep the central frames for their own winter food supply. Beekeepers carefully assess their hives to determine how much honey can be harvested without jeopardizing the bees’ chances of survival.
There are a few methods for harvesting honey:
Uncapping and Extracting: Beekeepers remove the frames filled with capped honey, use a hot knife or uncapping fork to remove the wax cappings, and then place the frames in a honey extractor. This machine spins the frames, using centrifugal force to extract the honey without damaging the comb, allowing bees to reuse it.
Crush and Strain: This more traditional method involves crushing the honeycomb to release the honey and then straining it to remove wax and other debris. While this method is simpler, it destroys the comb, and the bees must build new comb for next season, requiring more energy and resources.
2. What Bees Need in September: Preparing for Winter
As temperatures begin to drop in September, bees shift their focus from foraging to preparing for winter. Here’s what bees need during this critical time:
Adequate Honey Stores: Bees need a sufficient supply of honey to feed on during the winter months. Beekeepers should ensure that each hive has at least 60-80 pounds of honey (depending on the climate) to sustain the colony until spring. This means leaving behind enough honey and not over-harvesting.
Pollen Stores: Pollen is essential for bees, as it provides the protein needed for feeding larvae and keeping the colony healthy. In early September, bees continue to collect late-blooming flowers such as asters, goldenrod, and clover, which are crucial for building up pollen stores.
Health Checks and Treatments: September is the last opportunity for beekeepers to check for pests and diseases. Varroa mites are a common threat; if left untreated, they can devastate a colony over the winter. Beekeepers should perform mite counts and apply treatments if necessary to ensure a healthy hive going into winter.
Feeding and Supplemental Nutrition: In some regions, bees may need supplemental feeding to ensure they have enough food for winter. Beekeepers may provide sugar syrup in early fall to help build up honey stores. Pollen patties can also be given if natural pollen sources are scarce.
Hive Insulation and Protection: As the weather cools, it’s essential to check the hive’s insulation and protection against the elements. Beekeepers often use entrance reducers to minimize drafts and keep out predators like mice. Proper ventilation is also critical to prevent moisture build-up, which can be more deadly to bees than the cold itself.
3. The Beekeeper’s Role: Balance and Care
September is all about balance. Beekeepers must walk a fine line between harvesting the golden rewards of their bees’ hard work and ensuring the colony's survival. It's about understanding the rhythms of nature and supporting the bees as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
By ensuring bees have everything they need in September—sufficient food stores, health checks, and a well-insulated home—beekeepers set their colonies up for success. A strong, well-prepared colony will be ready to emerge healthy and vibrant when spring arrives, continuing the cycle of pollination and honey production.
While we here at Dragonfire Meadery don't raise bees at this time, we do understand the work that goes into keeping healthy hives.
While different bees may have specific needs to support each stage of their lifecycle, they all need high-quality habitat that provides an abundance of flowers, shelter and nesting sites, and protection from pesticides.
For more information on how you can help visit:
As we step into September, we are reminded of the beauty in transition. This month offers us the perfect opportunity to slow down, savor the flavors of the season, and connect with nature's rhythms. From the bees that work tirelessly to produce golden honey to the apples that ripen in orchards, September is a celebration of nature’s generosity.
Mead, with its ancient roots and honey-based essence, captures the spirit of this transitional time. Whether you're enjoying a glass of apple mead, experimenting with honey-infused recipes, or simply taking a mindful moment with a cup of mead-spiced tea, there are countless ways to experience the warmth and richness that this month has to offer.
So, let’s embrace September in all its charm—exploring new flavors, appreciating the small moments, and finding joy in the harvest season. Cheers to a sweet and fulfilling September, filled with the wonders of honey, the delight of mead, and the simple pleasures of life.
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