On the mead-maker behind the white door in Wylie

 Photos © Brian Brown/Beer in Big D.

If you've got a need for mead in North Texas, options for enjoying a honey-based fermented beverage are unfortunately somewhat slim. There are only a handful of active producers in the area, and even then, not all of them have a taproom.

For those wishing to sit and sip for a spell, one possibility is Texas Longhouse Meadery, located behind an unassuming white door at 2311 E. Stone Rd. in Wylie. Owned by Carlos and Kayla Herrera, both military veterans, the business is nearing its one-year anniversary, having debuted in December 2024.

On the menu at Texas Longhouse, you'll encounter a mix of traditional and session meads. Everyday pours consist of lightly-carbonated, lower-strength taps (6% ABV) like Odin's Gift (traditional), Raided Gold (lemon with lemon drop hops), Baldur (mango) and Lothbrok (peach), along with stronger stills (12-13% ABV) in the form of Skål (traditional, barrel-aged), Tyr's Vindrue (oak-aged with Chilean Malbec grapes) and Asgard's Orchard (cranberry and apple).

There are also limited and seasonal selections favoring the sturdier side of the strength spectrum, with barrel-aged meads and bochets (caramelized honey meads) being featured offerings.

Of the regulars sampled, Baldur was the favorite, though the rotator Idunn's Reserve (apple mead aged in Amburana barrels - 13% ABV) was also a satisfying sipper. Among others, a sneak peak of Surtur (smoked pineapple and chipotle - 13% ABV) was particularly intriguing, while Law Giver (inspired by the Old Fashioned cocktail - 13% ABV) came highly recommended by fellow patrons.

As for the setting, the meadery is part of a backroads destination with Wylie Urban Farm & Market. The taproom is small, but cozy and welcoming with low lighting and a dark color motif giving the space a sort of hideaway feel. But then it's an appropriate ambiance, given that Texas Longhouse is a bit off the beaten path.

It's an urban escape, to be sure, and one that's designed to bring together the community of like-minded mead drinkers - the latter fitting the vision of what a longhouse was used for historically. And taken together, it all makes for a nice little Nordic nook, tucked away on the far eastern edge of North Texas.

Texas Longhouse Meadery is open five days a week, with hours beginning at 2 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, and at noon on Saturday and Sunday.