Why is Mead so Expensive? Honestly, it's not!

Why is Mead so Expensive? Honestly, it's not!

FolkTale gets asked a lot about why is mead is so expensive. In honesty, it’s not!

From whatever place you are asking this question, we are going to assume you are asking from a place of curiosity rather then questioning the value of the mead.

Many factors contribute to the cost of mead, including tax, production cost, and produce used.

We have listed a breakdown of what goes into an average mead bottle and why we have chosen to price our mead as they are. Please keep in mind that this is an estimate per bottle and each mead varies in prices.

You pay $20 for a 375ml FolkTale mead

~$8 = Taxes. Close to 40% goes to the Australian Government. In Australia meadery’s and winemakers pay WET tax. Wine equalisation tax (WET) is a tax of 29% of the wholesale value of wine. And then we are all familiar with the 10% Goods and Service Tax (GST) in Australia.

~$2 = Honey. FolkTale has made sure all honey is 100% Australian and unadulterated. We purchase the honey from local Central Queensland beekeepers and will continue to ensure the future of our honey industry.

~$2 = Produce. There is a lot of different berries, fruits, spices, and yeasts that go into making our mead. FolkTale takes great pride in fermenting on whole fruits to ensure the flavours are rounded and full-bodied in all our meads and country wines. Where possible, FolkTale purchases from local or Australian owned farmers and businesses and will continue to do so to support Australian businesses.

~$2-3 = Packaging. This goes into bottles, lids and labels.

 ~$3 = Other expenses. Like any other businesses FolkTale have overheads to pay. Things like insurance, electricity, water and other overheads.

~$2= Time. Our directors put in more than 3 months’ worth of work into every batch of mead. And when calculated, they earn less than $2 an hour. They do this because they love what they do and enjoy sharing their art and creativity in the form of mead and country wines with you.

~ $0 = Consumers perceived value. In Australia, a 375ml bottle ranges between $20 to $65. And overseas they can sell for $200.

Perceived value has been the hardest thing FolkTale has had to face. Mead in Central Queensland and Australia is rather unknown. FolkTale and many other meadery’s work closely to promote and educate people on this delicious drink. But this takes time.

Until then, FolkTale would like to make our meads and country wines affordable for everyone to enjoy, while still being able to pay for the cost to make it.  

FolkTale hopes you now understand the value of our mead and country wines and can answer this question to anyone else who may ask.

And if you do choose to try FolkTale’s selection we hope you enjoy the ‘Taste of History.’