We are Hive Mind, started in 2018 by brothers Kit and Matt in the beautiful Wye Valley in the Welsh Borders.
Our journey began in Matt's garage, transformed into a micro-winery, in 2018, where we tested our concept. It became clear that others enjoyed our products, when we took a significant step forward by winning a 2 Star Great Taste Award for our inaugural 300L batch. With demand growing, we swiftly outgrew the garage and began cuckoo brewing at a local brewery in Chepstow, which was in the process of winding down. After renovating the premises once the existing brewery had relocated, we soon outgrew that space as well. This prompted us to move to a larger site in Caldicot one year later, expanding our beekeeping efforts, mead production, and introducing a range of honey-infused beers. We were also thrilled to unveil a taproom, creating a welcoming space for people to enjoy our creations.
During the challenging days of the COVID-19 lockdown, we adapted by swiftly transitioning to an online shop, delivering our products to local farm shops, delicatessens, and garden centres. A fortuitous appearance on BBC Countryfile provided a substantial boost to our reach. We used this time to enhance our brewing operations and design a range of honey-infused beers, including our flagship Traditional Mead, which showcases the exceptional local honey.
Our journey took an exciting turn as we featured on multiple TV shows, such as Kate Humble's Escape to the Farm, BBC Farmers Country Showdown, The Hairy Bikers Go Local, Coast & Country, and more. This exposure helped reintroduce this historical drink albeit with a modern twist, which had been somewhat forgotten. Our products continued to earn accolades, with a 3 Star Great Taste Award in 2022 for our Smoked Honey Porter and another 3 Star for our Traditional Mead in 2023, ultimately winning the Golden Fork Award for Wales.
Mead is an environmentally friendly and sustainable beverage crafted from three core ingredients - water, honey, and yeast, and can be made with ingredients on the doorstep of our meadery. Today, we oversee more than 180 hives of bees in the picturesque lower Wye Valley, transforming their precious honey into innovative sparkling meads and traditional wine-style meads. These creations are not only enjoyed by individuals as they are but also serve as essential ingredients or pairing drinks in two Michelin-starred restaurants, or cocktail ingredients. Our sparkling mead is a nod to the craft mead renaissance in the United States, challenging the typically historically-styled versions of the world's oldest beverage found in the UK and bringing it into the modern era.
Our growth has been accompanied by the addition of three dedicated team members, and we are actively planning further expansions to meet the demands of larger markets. The journey has been marked by a steep learning curve, as neither of us initially had backgrounds in business, food production, or sales. However, with several years of relentless dedication, 80-hour workweeks, and unwavering commitment, we've come to understand the extraordinary possibilities that emerge from sheer determination and a love for what we do.
