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Mead is a delicious alcoholic drink made by fermenting honey mixed with water. Referred to as ‘nectar of the Gods’ by the ancient Greeks, learning to make your own mead could be a sweet new hobby!
This hands-on mead making workshop is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who loves honey, bees, and delicious fermented beverages, and we’re excited to bring this unique experience to the Potato Festival at the Robertson Showground – but book now to secure your place in the class – there will only be 10 places available.
The combination of learning about and tasting various meads from commercial and hobby makers and making your own batch to take home with a professional kit, provides an immersive, fun and educational experience.
The workshop starts with a honey tasting, which will allow you to explore the different flavours and textures of honey from various floral sources.
This will give you a deeper understanding of the ingredients used in mead making and how they can impact the flavour of the final product.
Next, you will learn about (and taste!) the different types of mead, equipment, hygiene, selecting honey and yeast, and the different aromatics you can add to create unique and delicious flavours. Hamish from Bowral Beekeeping will guide you through the process and help you get started on your own batch.
A Mead Making class will be held on Saturday May 6, 2023 at 10:30am.
Tutor: Hamish Ta-mé – Bowral Beekeeping
Cost: $140 pp which includes entry into the festival
Limit of 10 people per class – minimum numbers are needed for the class to run so get your friends together and book early.
Beginners are welcome.
Book with Confidence: In the unlikely event the class does not proceed, your payment will be refunded.
The workshop includes all the ingredients and equipment you will need to make your first batch of mead,
These include:
This will allow you to continue your mead making journey at home and develop your skills.
Beekeeping Talks
Talks will be held on Saturday May 6, 2023 at 2pm. Sunday May 7, 2023 at 10am and 1pm.
Tutor: Hamish Ta-mé – Bowral Beekeeping
Cost: Free!
Limited space available, first come first serve!
As the popularity of beekeeping continues to grow, many people are interested in learning how to set up their own hive. At this years Potato Festival Hamish from Bowral Beekeeping will be be presenting a beekeeping talk that will focus on setting up your own hive. The talk will cover may of the aspects on getting started, including choosing the right location, selecting the right equipment, and acquiring bees.
One of the most important things to consider when setting up a hive is the location. Bees need a sunny, sheltered location that is away from foot traffic and potential disturbances. We’ll discuss the factors you need to consider when choosing a location and offer tips on how to create the perfect environment for your bees.
Once you have chosen the right location, you will need to select the right equipment. We’ll discuss the different types of hives available, including Flow Hive, Langstroth, Top Bar, and Warre hives, and the pros and cons of each. We’ll also talk about the equipment you will need, such as a smoker, hive tool, and protective gear.
Acquiring bees can be the most exciting and challenging part of setting up your own hive. We’ll discuss the different ways to acquire bees, including buying a package, capturing a swarm, or purchasing a nucleus colony. We’ll also talk about the different types of bees, such as Italian, Carniolan, and Russian bees, and the pros and cons of each.
In addition to discussing the practical aspects of setting up a hive, we’ll also cover the importance of beekeeping for the environment. Bees are essential for pollinating crops and flowers, and their decline has serious implications for our food supply and ecosystems. We’ll talk about the role that beekeepers can play in supporting bee populations and promoting sustainable beekeeping practices.
Finally, we’ll offer tips and advice for maintaining your hive and keeping your bees healthy. This will include information on how to inspect your hive, manage pests and diseases, and harvest honey.
Whether you’re a seasoned beekeeper or a complete beginner, this talk will provide valuable information and insights into setting up your own hive. We’ll cover everything from location and equipment selection to bee acquisition and hive maintenance, and offer tips and advice on how to support sustainable beekeeping practices. So come along and join us for a fun and informative talk on beekeeping!
Join Hamish Ta-mé from Bowral Beekeeping as he shares his love of all things bees, mead, sustainability and regional produce.
The classes provide a great insight to the processes from the bees to the honey to the mead in a fun, energetic way.
It’s all happening at the Potato Festival being held at the Robertson Showground.
Images: Hamish Ta-mé
