Mead, Honeymoons and Love

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June 27, 10:50 AM

by Charlie Papazian, Beer Examiner

 

 

Art by Steve Lawing from Complete Joy
of Homebrewing

Who would have thought that the bees, the moon and the magical brews of man could combine to add to the bliss, luster and memories of weddings?

Mead is a beverage of love. The drinking of mead has been held responsible for fertility and the birth of sons. This is where the tradition of the honeymoon got its start. If mead were consumed for one month (one moon) after a wedding, then in nine months a son would be born and the mead maker congratulated. The custom of drinking mead at weddings and for one month after initiated our present-day custom of the honeymoon.

Interestingly, mead drinking developed quite a reputation for its ability to increase the chances of bearing sons. So much so that a special drinking cup, called the Mazer Cup, was handed down from generation to generation. The couple that drank from the cup would bear sons to carry on the family name and increase the male birth rate, important in the days of constant war.

Fact or folly? Scientists have been doing animal experiments and have found they can increase the chances of bearing males by altering the body's pH. It is known that the acidity or alkalinity of the female body during conception can influence the sex of the newborn. Blood sugar levels do alter pH.

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