A Celebration of the Floral Diversity of South Africa

Mead Reborn

Shop Our Meads
Est. 2020

Crafting Mead that Tells a Story

Mellivora: genus of honey badgers,
entymology meli (Gr): "honey" and voro (L): "to devour"

At Mellivora, we’re devoted to crafting unique small-batch meads that embody South Africa’s floral diversity and revive its ancient 20,000-year mead heritage. Our commitment to authenticity is reflected in using only the finest indigenous honey from sustainable apiaries, ensuring each Mellivora mead batch is a true reflection of the season. More than mead makers, we’re storytellers passionate about rediscovering and honoring South Africa’s rich mead history, paying tribute to the pioneers of this exquisite beverage.

Our Story
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The Meads
2021

Bushveld Acacia Reserve

Limpopo Bushveld Acacia
Bushveld Acacia Reserve reflects the quiet elegance of the African bushveld and the character of single-season Limpopo acacia honey. Aged for six months in third-fill French oak barrels before extended cellaring, this dry traditional mead brings together patient maturation, refined structure, and a sense of place. Each bottle captures the warm grasses, acacia blossoms, and timeless atmosphere of the bushveld in a distinctly South African expression of mead.
Alcohol
11%
Volume
750ml
Sweetness
Dry
Tasting Notes
  • Nose: Acacia blossom and wild bushveld grasses, layered with dried apricot and subtle pepper spice.
  • Palate: Crisp green apple acidity with refined honey character, gentle vanilla oak, and a light buttery texture balanced by delicate nutty savoriness.
  • Finish: Long, clean, and softly spiced with lingering oak and honey notes.
Pairing Suggestions
Brie, wild mushrooms, flaky pastries, roasted almonds, Thai curries, duck, and baked pears.

R255.00

2022

Mantidea

Boekenhout and Limpopo Acacia
Mantidea, our Bushveld Amormel, pays tribute to the rich heritage of Southern Africa. Inspired by the Mantis, a revered spiritual symbol in rock art, this rare fortified mead blends local honeys and is aged for over two years. Its exceptional quality was recently recognized with a silver medal at the African Beer Cup 2025. Each bottle captures the essence of the bushveld, echoing ancestral tales and wisdom, offering a heartfelt homage to these cherished lands.
Alcohol
16%
Volume
375ml
Sweetness
Sweet
Tasting Notes
  • Nose: Caramelized sugar and malt, with a hint of smoke and underlying notes of dried fruit.
  • Palate: Smooth and mouth-watering, dark honey, creamy caramel, raisins with a hint of baking spice.
  • Finish: Long, buttery and layered, developing through a rich sweetness to a savory coffee earthiness.
Pairing Suggestions
salted caramel cheesecake, milk tart, sharp cheddar cheese, dark chocolate, smoked meats

R275.00

2021

Golden Rhino

Limpopo Acacia
Blending old ideas with new-age brewing techniques, the Golden Rhino is the ultimate contemporary mead – crisp and refreshing for the modern palate. Crafted with Limpopo bushveld honey sourced from a small and sustainable apiary, this exceptional mead is aged on third-fill Chardonnay French oak barrels. An African Beer Cup Gold Medal winner, the Golden Rhino is truly a one-of-a-kind beverage that will transport you deep into the African bushveld, standing as a testament to its quality and our aim to produce the best mead in Africa.
Alcohol
11%
Volume
750ml
Sweetness
Dry
Tasting Notes
  • Nose: Acacia blossom with undertones of jasmine, strongly reminiscent of early morning summer bushveld air.
  • Palate: Light, crisp green apple, honey undertones, and a buttery character with well-balanced acidity
  • Finish: Lingering and buttery
Pairing Suggestions
Camembert, mushrooms, puff pastry, nuts, creamy curries

R189.00

2020

Hopefield

West Coast Fynbos (Sold Out)
This unique Fynbos mead, lightly spiced with hops and juniper, is a vibrant celebration of the African mead rebirth story. We craft it with sustainably sourced wild honey from the pristine floral kingdom of Hopefield, West Coast South Africa. This special brew directly ties contemporary mead-making back to its ancestral home, paying heartfelt homage to the San people – the very first brewers of this golden elixir in this cherished region. Experience the true essence of the West Coast in every sip.
Alcohol
10%
Volume
375ml
Sweetness
Semi-sweet
Tasting Notes
  • Nose: Floral and Fynbos forward, with undertones of Turkish delight.
  • Palate: Pineapple and stewed pears, herbaceous and balanced with a mild sweetness
  • Finish: Savoury and honey
Pairing Suggestions
cured meats, feta cheese, hot and spicy food, malva pudding

R185.00

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Despite my cynicism, this mead tasted good, extraordinarily good! So much so, that I must say that this probably the best mead on which I have ever sipped
Conrad LouwCape Wine Master
At first sip, I was completely taken by surprise by the concentrated honey flavour, but it wasn’t sickly sweet at all – rather wonderfully, it was carefully infused with an earthiness reminiscent of woody herbs and buchu, a true taste of our local flora.
Amilinda WilkinsonThe Little Hedonist
It was the first time most of the team tasted mead and we were really impressed. It is a fascinating drink and an interesting experience.
Daniel MaunganidzeSommelier at Idiom Wines

Mellivora is a small batch meadery on a big mission to reignite the love for mead in South Africa – the birthplace of mead. All the while celebrating the unique floral diversity of our beautiful nation and capturing the stories of those who came before us.

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Contact Info

  • Now Brewing At:
  • Cape Town Mead Company
  • Unit 27, Old Timber Yard
  • Maitland
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • hello@mellivora.co.za