The best mead and the coolest and nicest people around! This is a nice little place hidden behind the Hot Sauce shop in Oceanside, but once you find it, you won't want to leave! They offer tasting flights and even to purchase a nice bottle to take home. The flavors vary and the variety is solid! I started to come interested in mead but wasn't sure if it would be too sweet or overly strong. Thankfully, they have amazing mead for anyone to have! Highly recommended! read more

Cute little spot but nothing crazy. It was a little difficult to find and the place itself is very small but I suppose that adds to the charm. The person helping us was friendly and social and since there was nobody else there we just chatted. The meads were decent, and nothing really stood out to me. There wasn't too much of a variety. Overall it's a fun spot to check out, but I probably wouldn't go again. read more

I really like the flavors of their mead. They usually have something sweet and also something dry depending on one's choice. The tasting room is very small and sorta hard to find but maybe that's cause my sense of direction is bad. They are also at the Vista Farmers Market on Saturdays. People are always super nice too! read more

This small meadery was such a great find on my mead tour! Informative and delicious they really delivered and even had jewelry made with bees inside. Super cool place! read more

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Mika was so friendly and knowledgeable. We had a great time tasting and chatting with her. The mead is priced very fairly. Not crazy about its lack of viscosity or the carbonation, doesn't taste as much like traditional mead-- but still good. Would like a bit more variety to choose from, and the space itself is a little small and hard to find. It's hard for me to imagine more than two customers in here at a time. Dog friendly! Looking forward to trying more mead from here in the future. read more

Golden Coast Mead - three glasses of wine on a wooden table - Breweries Near Me - Oceanside, California

Stumbled upon this business' tent at an artisan market in Gaslamp quarter. They were offering 3 small samples for $5 so we decided to try it! We enjoyed one of the samples, the others were too try or sweet. However it was fun to try mead for the first time! read more

Golden Coast Mead - Breweries Near Me - Oceanside, California

I recently got back into mead so I decided to check this place out. If you're a fan of traditional mead with its characteristic viscosity and sweetness, you might be disappointed. The mead served here doesn't quite match the norm. It lacks the expected thickness and sweetness, which can be a letdown if you're seeking that authentic mead experience. We brought two people with us who had never tasted mead before so I was disappointed this was their first experience since I didn't realize this isn't your traditional mead but more of a unique take on mead. However, if you're open to trying something different, you might still find enjoyment in their unique take on the beverage. It's important to note that finding the place was quite a challenge. It lack of clear signage or directions to point you in the right direction made it hard to locate. It took me some time to navigate the area and finally stumble upon it. Another aspect worth mentioning is how tiny the place is! Literally four of us walked in and already there wasn't enough room for the four of us. I think it can be a drawback for those seeking a more spacious and comfortable setting. Right behind us came a couple and it was clear it was going to be very tight for six people to be in there. I also found it to be very awkward that someone was sitting on the computer doing some office work in what is already the tiniest tasting room I've ever been in. Even if the mead was incredibly delicious, I wouldn't want to bring friends to try it because a group of four couldn't comfortably fit in the tasting room. On a positive note, the staff was friendly and super knowledgeable. She was happy to provide recommendations and answer any questions. My review is right down the middle at three stars because if you're expecting a traditional mead with the usual viscosity and sweetness, you will be disappointed. The location itself is hard to find due to poor signage, and the small size of the place wouldn't appeal to most. However, the friendly staff and her passion for the mead helped redeem the experience. read more

Located in Oceanside. Friendly bartenders. Dog friendly. Board games. Delicious meads with lots of flavor! They even had one with coffee which I was unsure about but it was pretty tasty. I also saw them at the Little Italy Farmers market so if you do not want to drive all the way to Oceanside (I sure do not), you can find their booth there! read more

Best mead I've ever had!! They have new stuff coming out every week and Gary the owner, is the coolest guy you'll ever meet! 10/10 you have to try! read more

It's funny, there are some Yelp reviews you make that are automatically five star. Yelp Elite events come to mind, where the company, grandeur, and etiquette calls for such a rating. Even when the food is not the best, you still give it that stamp and tell your tale, because that always seems to be the thing to do. Golden Coast Mead kind of makes me feel like that in a way. Which isn't to say that this place isn't great, I had quite a bit of fun and high hopes for when I decided to walk through those doors. I'm not much of a drinker. Yet, in my advancing age, I feel like maybe I should start. Still, I don't really enjoy much of anything alcoholic except for the occasional margarita or mudslide; basically, if it's sweet, I'll probably like it. Of course, one can't casually order a mudslide whenever you eat out anywhere, so I figured I had to find a sugary and more suitable alternative. Questions, internet research, and friends all pointed me toward mead. First off, I should say that mead really isn't for me. Of all that I tasted, some was okay, but none of it really rose to that sugary sweetness I was expecting or desired. Still, Golden Coast Mead was great. It's small, but it has a nice atmosphere with a lot of kitsch and a great crew that are helpful, knowledgeable of their craft, and fun to hang out with as you sip from your tasters. When I arrived, I told the barkeep my plight and what I was hoping for; they were quick to explain the menu and select a few choice items to match my needs. Soon, I was treated to four cup tasting platter ranging from sweet to semi-sweet. And here is where my disappointment came into play. And, I can not stress enough that is through no fault of Golden Coast, I was just hoping that a drink made from honey would be a bit more sickly sweet. It was alright, in its own way; but it turned out to be more floral and spice than the sugar I went in search of. I drank all if it, regardless, enjoying our time and the company. In the end, though, as much fun as I had, I can't see myself ever coming back. Without being able to enjoy the main fare, it's difficult to want to try and plan another outing. Yet, I can easily suggest this place to anyone looking for something other than beer. And, hey, I'm still glad I came as I can cross mead off my list of possible drinks to drink. read more

Golden Coast Mead - The Four Mead Taster - A LOT more alcohol then you'd expect! - Breweries Near Me - Oceanside, California

Firstly I'd like to say our Meadmaster Alexander was the real MVP. Knowledgeable, friendly, and cooler than school. If you come here, request him! Golden Coast Mead is a cool place to be. Spacious bar, wooden decor, and a chess board available for use. The mead is very good. After trying them all, I recommend as follows; For sweet tooths I recommend #3 Sour Orange Blossom or #11 Fafnir's Bane. For you lemon lovers I recommend #6 Blue Harvest. #10 Elderflower Sour is good for those who like dark beers. #8 Fafnirs Heart for those like their drinks STRONG from the taste to the smell. #7 Something Something Darkside I think is great for those who like Bourbon or dry Wine #5 Something Something Sour Mead was my personal favorite and I recommend for everyone. read more

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Cool little hidden gem in Oceanside! We were looking for somewhere to hang for drinks on a Wednesday evening. Wanting a change of pace, so we opted for some mead and we are sure glad that we did! The place was pretty empty when we arrived, but then again it was a week night. Bartender was nice, personable, friendly, and knowledgeable. The mead we tried was all very tasty as well. Lots of different flavor profiles from sweet, to coffee, to sour, and to bitter. Lots of choices even for the non-mead drinker. Long story short, we will be back! read more

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Loved this Meadery! We went yesterday and had a couple of flights and really enjoyed each one. We took two bottles home! Guy who helped us was super knowledgeable about mead and walked us through his favorites and explained the story behind a few of the meads. You can tell they love bees and the entire brewing process over here, highly recommend 10/10! read more

Golden Coast Mead - a wooden table with glasses of white wine - Breweries Near Me - Oceanside, California

I like the place & I like the meads here too. I just wish this place was open more days of the week & that it could stay open later. The place has great meads, great service, & a very relaxing vibe. read more

This was my first time trying mead and I definitely liked it! You can order a mead sampler which comes with 4 different 2oz glasses of mead (there are around 15 different kinds of mead on the menu here). Plus with yelp check in we got one extra taster. Some of the meads are more simpler while others have added flavors like banana or coffee. My favorite kind was the hops mead, which tastes like a slightly bitter, slightly sweet beer. It was really good! It's got a really laid back vibe overall. This kind of place is trying to bring mead back - the decor is all about bees and honey, so its like they are emphasizing the fact that all they sell is mead. They have some couches with various board games too, so it can be a place to just chill and enjoy your drinks. read more

The day we visited they had 7 meads to choose from. We bought the Groupon which included 5 and then we checked in on Yelp and Facebook which earned us two free tastings. So we were able to taste all meads available. The hours on Yelp and the website indicated that they open at 12:00 PM. We arrived a few minutes before noon and waited until 12:10 but it didn't open. We called the number but it went to voicemail. The "we will return" sign on the door said 1:30. So we drove back to Carlsbad for lunch and returned a little after 1:30. We enjoyed the tasting. We have been to other meaderies across the US and found more varieties and better ambiance. But for the price, this place was ok. No food is served but Alexander said we were welcome to bring in our own food next time. Also, he reminded us that children and dogs were always welcome. We bought two growlers and filled them with a sweet and dry. (#2 and #6, sorry can't recall the names). Total was around $80, which included the purchase of the bottles. read more

I never knew I was such a mead fan until this place. I've had the stuff a few times before, but always kinda thought it was a gimmicky drink for corny renaissance festivals, live action role playing, or other Viking-style celebrations. Golden Coast opened my eyes and my palate to being able to drink this stuff on just about any occasion. It's got the ABV of strong beers and tastes like Kool-aid, so be kind of aware that downing a few is likely going to put you over the legal limit. If you're set with a DD and don't plan on driving though, this is one of the more giggly buzzes you're going to get from alcohol. Specifically the Red Menace and Banana flavors are both delicious, and will have you feeling like the life of the party. If either are on tap, I'd highly recommend ordering them. The taproom itself is tiny, but beautifully curated and feels like it could be featured on some sort of interior decorating show or something. It's probably the most adorably cozy place to get a drink in all of Oceanside. Overall, the reviews don't lie. This place is deserved of 5 Stars. I think and really hope that this mead trend continues to be a thing in San Diego moving forward. read more

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I really didn't know what mead means but it's pretty tasty. I read a few reviews and decided to try it out because I love to support local businesses. Some of the reviews said that they don't serve food but that you can bring your own. So I ate before I came and tasted some of their most popular meads. So mead is not beer or wine its alcohol made from honey. I never knew that but also its about 12 percent. I'm used to drinking beer that is about 5 to 8 percent so drinking this is a whole different game. My favorite by far is the Orange Blossom because it doesn't taste too strong. This location is really small like other reviews said but I couldn't believe how small it was. At the same time it wasn't really busy so I guess that makes up for it. The customer service is top notch because they explain what mead is and isn't. I will definitely without a doubt come here again. They also have a damn good soda on tap made with Earl Grey tea. read more

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I've always been a huge fan of Mead, I guess it just honestly interests me because of the history. This has been the beer for centuries past. I feel like I'm drinking a bit of history along with great flavor is well. I first tasted Golden Coast Mead at the San Diego international beer fest at the Delmar fair, And fell in love with their flavors, from there I looked them up and found a Groupon to go along with it. Even though that it's about an hour away from where I live I definitely made the point to travel there to experience his many different Meads as possible. In total they had around 12 on tap, one of them just got hooked up as soon as I arrived which I took as a sign that I definitely needed to try it as well LOL. There is a huge difference with different meter reads this one specifically actually adds carbonation to their Mead, which definitely gives it a bit of a different flavor comparative to non-carbonated. Ladies I would definitely say if you're not a huge beer fan you will probably be a fan of Mead, especially the ones that are carbonated I would say closely resemble somewhat of a sweet wine. Guys you will respect the fact that each of their Meads Are around 12% alcohol. Overall I really think this place is awesome and they deserve a lot of credit for being one of the few Meaderies in CA . Also the guys serving the Bears definitely deserves some credit, they are very nice and very knowledgeable when it comes to their Mead ! read more

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Went there this past weekend after looking for a meadery to check out. Husband and I ordered ourselves some flights. Boy, was it hard to pick a favorite! All their Meads are delicious! Heck, they even had us try some of the new stuff they are working on, to give em feedback. Those experimental meads didn't disappoint either. What a great experience for a first time visit, with awesome friendly staff. Will definitely be back for sure. read more

First Meadery in San Diego of its kind. For those that don't know what mead is- it's pretty much a mix between wine and beer and best resembles the flavor of a cider. Me & my boyfriend came here after hearing about it from a mutual friend of ours and we were not dissappointed. Located over by the industrials by chipotle and Panda Express off oceanside blvd and college - we walked in to find 4 meads on taps and ended up taking 3 bottles home since we enjoyed it so much. My favorite was the pan galactic- PGGM, which according to Alex was named after the "hitchhikers guide to the galaxy"- it was originally supposed to be the "orange blossom" but something went wrong & it unexpectedly turned into this delight with the weirdest yet delicious aftertaste of what I would best describe as popcorn, rice or Rice Krispies ( you try it & then tell me, LOL). I also really enjoyed the Orange Blossom, which only came bottled and the winter's tale- a sweet, yet crisp mead. This place is small but it makes it all the more awesome. Go say hi to Ryan & Alex, they both work here & will walk you through their meads- only thing I would recommend is possibly a sweater, jacket or like me, blanket Cuz it does get rather cold in here at night (you can always bring one for Ryan too as I think I promised him one, lol). Anyways- such a great spot. Just be careful! The meads are all twelve percent & a taster flight of 4 was enough to get me toasty. (: read more

Golden Coast Mead - A taster flight of 4- $8 - Breweries Near Me - Oceanside, California

What is Mead, let alone a Meadery? Well apparently, I was introduced to Mead, a type of alcohol that is apparently older than beer or wine. I would say that Mead is closer to the taste of wine. Mead is fermented with honey, yeast, and water. The drinks come in small glasses since they are quite potent, 12.5% of alcohol to be exact. Golden Coast Mead is very discrete. It wasn't even easy to find. It is hidden among a bunch of warehouses. Follow the "Tasting 21+" sign. There is a funny sign outside mentioning that Gandolf drinks mead, so apparently you should too. We decided to try two flights of Mead. Each flight costed $8 plus tax for 4 tastings. In particular, I really like the Cali and Savage. Golden Coast Mead is a no frills facility, but really, I think it is the only "Meadery" in San Diego. Also, it seems like they have a Groupon for this place so make sure you purchase one before coming. I really enjoyed the Savage so much that I purchased a bottle to go for $10 plus tax. I would definitely recommend this place if you are adventurous and would like to try something new. read more

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I came on 10/29/16, the Saturday before Halloween. They were having a party so it was super busy and it was 30 minutes until closing. They employee was super nice and got us in and served us right away, and he even allowed me to use my Groupon. I enjoyed all the flavors especially the limited edition blood wine. I drink a lot of wine but the mead gave me a different buzz. Mead is fermented with honey. Not overly sweet but you do get a slight honey finish. The sherry tasted like sherry wine. I'll be back to try more flavors. read more

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I found this place to my liking. The young man who served the mead was knowledgeable and friendly. I visited with my mother and we each had a four-taster flight. I also took one of their little growler bottles home and enjoyed it while playing Red Dead Redemption 2. Five stars, for now, since it's the only meadery I've visited. This weekend, however, I intend to stop by "Lost Cause," so we'll see if Golden Coast is unseated or if they retain their title of Finest Meadery in the Eyes of James Wellman (FMEJW)! It occurs to me that since Golden Coast is the only meadery to which I've been, it is both the best, and the worst . I will leave the rating at five stars for now though, since I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. read more

Golden Coast Mead - A flight of meade! I enjoyed them all, but especially the Huajillo Mirth and the Tyr's Battle Elixir. I'll get a better picture next time! - Breweries Near Me - Oceanside, California

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Super friendly service! Micah was awesome! We are totally new to mead and have always wanted to try this place. We had such a great time and the mead was delicious. We are only giving a 4 because of the indoor atmosphere/decor was underwhelming. If you plan to come with a big group, maybe call ahead to make sure they space. Other than that, we very much recommend them for anyone who enjoys trying meads! read more

This was my first time having mead, and it was amazing. Super delish. My favorite one was the huajillo one, extra honey taste. The person helping us had a great attitude too. Go, you won't be disappointed. :) read more

Golden Coast Mead - Breweries Near Me - Oceanside, California

Ended up here because the original place we traveled all the way up to Oceanside for was closed, glad we did. Our bartender Micah was amazing. She talked to us both about mead and various other shared interests the entire time we were there. We got samplers of everything on the menu, as well as some off menu things too. Some of their meads aren't the best, but that's only because they seem to be more willing to experiment with flavors than other meaderies I've been too which means they ended up with some amazing ones alongside the not so great ones. Unfortunate how far they are but will likely be making another trip up. read more

A very interesting place! Not exactly what I was expecting, but overall some really unique and flavorful meals. I love honey and wine, so the more complex notes of the wildflower honey within the meads were very nice. They also have some small cheese plates available for purchase that pair so nicely with the flight. Loved the space! read more

Golden Coast Mead - Tasting for two - Breweries Near Me - Oceanside, California

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It had been a while since I have intending to visit this place that every friend of mine who likes mead has been talking about. So, I dragged one of these guys with me on a Friday night to this place totally expecting to have a considerably long waiting time. Surprisingly, we walked in with only a few customers talking away to the bartender sitting on the counter chairs with most of the tables empty. What we realized later on was that we were totally lucky to hit a sweet time slot and get good seating on their couch. Half an hour after we reached, the place was full and I now know why. This place totally rocks... a laid back brewery serving up a few of the best meads I've ever had..... totally worth the hour long drive up north from UTC. From the mural on the wall, to the bookshelf full of books on beer making to the chess board near the couch, the place screams out an informal vibe where people can be themselves, relax and have a nice evening talking to near and dear ones. The beer is heavenly. On the insistence of the staff I took a flight of meads which people who know me wouldn't believe I did since I stick to one beer usually per visit. But, with meads here, I would highly recommend it.... the sheer variety in taste makes it totally worth it. I tried the Bergamot, Mirth: Huajillo, Something Something Sour and the Serrano Sour. My personal favorite was the Something something sour. At 12% ABV, this dry mead packs in an enormous amount of tartness.You could easily have this instead of cocktail at your party and come out a winner. With the Serrano Sour. I could literally taste the heat coming in to hit my palette twice after a sip followed by a complete vanishing act of the flavor.... very well appreciated. The Bergamot left a very pleasant aftertaste. The Mirth tasted more experimental to me but was significantly full-bodied and had an earthy finish to it. The staff is extremely welcoming and knowledgeable. Had it not been for the reviews and some deservedly rave ones at that, I would have missed this gem of a brewery. I will definitely make it a point to visit this place more often if they keep providing me new and exciting variations. read more

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Golden Coast Mead serves "Sunshine in a glass that spreads joy to those who drink it"... Yes they really do! Their ethical, sustainable and conscientious production of this liquid gold is the best of the best within meads and is easily one of the top libations out there. Yup, I'm including my favorite craft beers, wines and cocktails in this race! Their meads have a nice effervescence and are not super sweet. Just to clarify, this is not beer or wine, it's mead! Flavors are amazing and to top it off you can enjoy some of their best flavors with an ABV of 12% (that means 24 proof for those only drinking martinis). If you're unsure of what flavor to order, it's simple, hands down it's the Orange Blossom. Ok dudes, this is not a "Lady's drink" by any stretch, it has a lot of flavor complexities, and let's not forget the 12% ABV... Yeah that's 2 to 3 times more than your favorite beer, and tastes better! The tasting room in Oceanside has a quaint, cool vibe and the folks there are super cool. They are very passionate about mead and this is a great spot to enjoy some. Loading up my to go mead case right now! read more

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Great tasting mead and nice and friendly staff. Couldn't ask for more. Highly recommend this place for mead lovers. read more

Golden Coast Mead - Great Mead! - Breweries Near Me - Oceanside, California

Wow, I've seen this place for years and have always meant to go in but didn't make it until today. The staff is really friendly and helpful and their Mead is great! Unlike traditional Mead, the Mead here is carbonated which really smoothes out the taste and makes it very drinkable. I highly recommend getting a flight sampler which gives you four small meads for $10. Drink them from mild to strong flavor and enjoy! read more

Golden Coast Mead - Today's menu - Breweries Near Me - Oceanside, California

I've heard a lot of good things about mead and decided to give it a try one Friday evening after work. My boyfriend and I ordered 2 flights of mead to sample what's on the menu. Everything was really tasty... and strong! 12% ABV on an empty tummy was not the greatest idea. Golden Coast Mead allows outside food so I will definitely bring some carb to accompany the mead next time. The staff was really cool and explained the difference in the types of mead. I usually love cider, so I was surprised to lean towards the sour mead after trying almost every flavor on the menu. I'll definitely be visiting again, and I'm glad this gem is in North County. read more

Golden Coast Mead - Breweries Near Me - Oceanside, California

I got the need, the need for mead It's the bees knees Get me more im-mead-iately ....... no joke, try it out. Friendly staff. Fun flavors. Refreshing. read more

Golden Coast Mead - Need the mead - Breweries Near Me - Oceanside, California

Love the mead!!! So delicious and a great variety of flavors. Cute tasting room. Super nice people.

This place is super cute! If you're interested in a place with mead , I highly recommend coming here. The vibe of the place is awesome. It's a pretty quiet little place. It's small, so don't be expecting a huge place like a brewery. They have beautiful lights setting a great ambiance. The drinks are absolutely delicious. We got a sampler to try 4 different ones to help decide what we were wanting. They also sell brand logo stuff like shirts, and cups that you can buy. They also have a little cheese platter you can have. They don't have meals or anything like that. I highly recommend trying this place. It's super cute and fun to hang with friends here. read more

Golden Coast Mead - It's a cute quiet little place - Breweries Near Me - Oceanside, California

My husband and I FREAKING loved Golden Coast! We found it through an awesome Groupon, which they were more than happy to accept and honor with excellent service. We got two flight tasters to try all of their meads they were currently brewing with the taster descriptions to guide us. Everything tasted AMAZING, but the Wee Odin (caramelized honey mead that tastes like liquid honeycomb and perfection) blew our minds. We decided to get a growler of the Wee Odin to go, and they totally honored our Groupon's $5 off towards a bottle for a growler instead! Fantastic service, INCREDIBLE MEAD, and great prices! read more

Golden Coast Mead - Incredible mead, great service, and fantastic prices!!! - Breweries Near Me - Oceanside, California

One at a gem for Oceanside! The owner is awesome and while I was not a Mead drinker at first I think this will be a go to for a quick pick me up and hang out from now on. The place is charming and there is plenty of games and other knick knacks for the kids to play with. Love this place and it's ambience. The mead is strong and a couple glasses is enough to make you happy! read more

Have you ever tried mead? One of the oldest forms of alcoholic beverage produced, it's such a rarity to find in the US. Made with honey (lots of honey), there are lots of varieties of styles within the offerings at Golden Coast. Brewed similar to beer, but with a higher alcohol content and more of a mouthfeel similar to wine, it's an interesting hybrid for folks of varying styles. Our tastings included four meads: Ginger Session, Cali-Oak, Savage Bois, and Brett. The staff was very friendly and informative about what mead is, how it is made, how it is a growing style of beverage, and some of the many styles that Golden Coast has produced. While we enjoyed some more than others, it was a very fun and unique experience that as definitely worth having. We picked up a couple 550ml bottles of the Savage Bois to cellar for 3 years so that the honey notes can really develop and come out. Definitely something different to try when you get tired of the same old wine and beer tastings. read more

I've had mead many times before and my friends have pleaded with me to visit Golden Coast but somehow I just never made it out there until now. The mead here is exceptional. Potent. Very potent. Make sure you eat something before hand as there is no food on-site. Seating is sort of, well, wherever you can find a seat. The place is very small and from what I've heard, bigger than was it used to be. Don't be surprised if it's packed and there's no where to sit. Also, come on a day when it's cooler outside since the doors are wide open front and back. Alex, one of the (owners?) mentioned that they are moving to a larger space soon. As of right now they are the only meadery in town (but I heard a new meadery is opening up in Vista). Some of the meads are sweet, some dry - like a Chardonnay. Some are sour. I definitely preferred the sweeter varieties. Try the "Orange Blossom" or "Wildflower". Yum. There was a "Sour Ex" mead that I was expecting to hate, but I was surprised at how good it was. If they have it...try it. It's very unique - in a good way. My fav was the "Mirth", semi-sweet and made from Wildflower Honey. This should be turned into a sauce and rubbed on ham...it would be a huge hit (though a pricey one at $25/bottle). read more

Golden Coast Mead - There is a God, and he likes Mead. - Breweries Near Me - Oceanside, California