Mead Alcohol Content
Mead is wine made from honey instead of grapes. The meads checked here run from 10.5% to 13.5% alcohol by volume.2,3,4 That is about the same as grape wine.
A 5 oz glass of 13% mead is 1.1 standard drinks.
Mead ABV by Label
These strengths are printed on labels approved by the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB):
Some craft meads are much weaker or stronger than these, so check the label on your bottle.
How Many Standard Drinks Are in Mead?
One U.S. standard drink is 14 grams of pure alcohol, the amount in a 1.5 oz shot of 40% liquor.1 At 13% ABV, here is how Mead adds up:
| Serving | ABV | Standard drinks |
|---|---|---|
| 5 oz glass | 13% | 1.1 |
| 8 oz pour | 13% | 1.7 |
| 750 ml bottle | 13% | 5.5 |
Mead vs Other Drinks
To count any mix of drinks, use the standard drink calculator.
How Much Mead Does It Take to Get Drunk?
That depends on your weight, your sex, and how fast you drink. Enter your weight below to see how many 5 oz glasses of mead reach each level.
Actual BAC depends on metabolism, food, and time.
Try our BAC calculator for more detailed tracking
Mead Alcohol FAQ
What percent alcohol is mead?
Most mead is about 10% to 14% ABV. Chaucer’s is 10.5%, and Old Bear Honey and Red Tail Alchemy are 13% and 13.5%.
Is mead stronger than beer?
Yes. Mead is closer to wine. A 5 oz glass has about as much alcohol as a 12 oz beer.
Is mead stronger than wine?
Usually about the same. Most mead and most grape wine are both between 10% and 14%.
How much mead does it take to get drunk?
Each 5 oz glass is 1.1 standard drinks. How many it takes depends on your weight, your sex, and how fast you drink. The calculator on this page shows your number.
To see how Mead affects your blood alcohol level, use the BAC calculator.
Sources
- NIAAA. What is a standard drink?
- TTB COLA 24317001000216. Chaucer’s Mead label, honey based table wine, 10.5% alc. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.
- TTB COLA 21125001001200. Old Bear Honey Mead label, honey based table wine, 13% alc./vol. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.
- TTB COLA 24054001000733. Red Tail Alchemy Mead label, honey based table wine, 13.5% alcohol. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, public COLA registry.