Can I find mead in San Antonio, Texas?

July 20, 2011 7:39 AM

Can I find mead in San Antonio, Texas?

Where I used to live (elsewhere in Texas) I convinced a Spec's liquor store to regularly carry Redstone mead. I don't like Bunratty or Chaucer's, which are more widely carried.

Since moving to San Antonio, I haven't found any mead at all. Near me there are several small stores (Don & Ben's, etc., in strip malls) that only carry popular brands. Even some of those are scarce--it's hard to find Capt. Morgan's Silver, for example.

Can I find good mead in San Antonio? I'd prefer Redstone, if possible, but I'm open to suggestion. Is there a liquor "superstore" in San Antonio I can try? Can anyone recommend a store that caters to special orders?

I live near the medical center (west of I-10, outside 410) and work near La Cantera and the Rim.

posted by Anephim to Food & Drink (11 answers total)

You might have luck talking to the owners of some of these shops. Usually the higher rated ones are very open to requests.
posted by samsara at 7:45 AM on July 20, 2011

Gabriels is rated highly on ratebeer.com. Try giving them a call.
posted by cog_nate at 7:46 AM on July 20, 2011

Central Market in Alamo Heights. If they don't have what you want, they will order it for you. A guy named Brian used to be the buyer and was always accommodating if they didn't have what I was looking for.

Gabriels is a liquor store - they don't have the best beer selection.
posted by Siena at 8:01 AM on July 20, 2011

You know there's a Specs now at the Forum near I-35 and Live Oak. Have you tried there?
posted by Leezie at 8:08 AM on July 20, 2011

There's a pretty decent Gabriels on Callaghan and I-10 (by the Sun Harvest) that has a huge selection of wine and I think I've seen mead there.

I also recommend Central Market, but that's a bit farther away.
posted by muddgirl at 8:43 AM on July 20, 2011

Response by poster: I haven't tried any of these. I'll start with the nearest and work my way out.

FYI, Siena: mead isn't beer, it's more wine-like. In fact, some "mead" brands are actually white wine flavored with honey. But in the Spec's I used to frequent, they shelved it in the aisles with liquor rather than with the beer or the wine.

Thanks, all!
posted by Anephim at 9:09 AM on July 20, 2011

Looks like Redstone's Texas distributor is Duff Beer & Wine - [phone] or [phone]. If you call them, they'll be able to tell you who their San Antonio retail customers are.
posted by something something at 9:13 AM on July 20, 2011 [1 favorite]

There are small commercial mazer's scattered around Texas. Here's one near you: Texas Mead Works. Looks like they're just getting off the ground but I've tried some of the others I've found in my drives and generally come away with a bottle or two. Given their projected release times I suspect these guys are doing it right (i.e., it doesn't look like they're rushing crap to market). Hmm. MeFi meetup in Seguin for a tasting in the fall?
posted by Runes at 9:57 AM on July 20, 2011

Response by poster: Runes, I saw Texas Mead Works at a Ren Faire a few years ago, but they didn't have samples. Thanks for reminding me about them. I'd love to try their Honeymoon Bliss with tupelo honey.
posted by Anephim at 11:23 AM on July 20, 2011

I just remembered about Alon market on wurzbach - its closer than central market but has a worse selection
posted by muddgirl at 5:18 PM on July 20, 2011

Hills and Dales on 1604 near Babcock used to carry and Irish and Polish mead. Sorry, I dont remember the names. Dont be afraid of all the bikers there either; theyre all retired Military, not the Hells Angels.
posted by Fiat124 at 10:37 PM on September 18, 2011