From richmondstandard.com
A budding Richmond business owner is hoping people “get SideTrack’d” and check out his debut mead offerings.
He may look familiar: Steven Phillips, the onetime taproom manager and current member of the production team at East Brother Beer Co., is launching his own project, SideTrack Mead, out of space rented from his employer. Eventually, he hopes to open his own local taproom, but first people need to check out his mead.
SideTrack Mead specializes in producing sessionable meads (~7 percent abv, instead of the standard 10-14 percent). “Mead or honey wine seems scarce on the market and I had been home brewing it for years since there are no commercial examples to pick up,” said Phillips.
The one-time homebrewer enters the market with some serious props; he’s won multiple prestigious awards, including a gold at Mazer Cup International, the largest mead competition.
SideTrack offers two options for purchase—the Hidromiel De Jamaica – Hibiscus mead at 7 percent abv in kegs and cans and the Orange Blossom Traditional – honey only at 7.5 percent abv, which is solely available in kegs for now. Phillips plans to launch more flavors.
The new meadery has landed some retail partners, including the Point Richmond Market and Roma Caffé & Bar in Richmond and Ale Tales in Albany. SideTrack also offers shipping to about 40 states via Vinoshipper on its webstore.
The Richmond business owner said he balances meads at a lower alcohol volume for less conditioning time, which also equated to less fermentable sugars and less honey cost, making the cost a lot lower. Phillips said he also works with a local beekeeper in Galt, Calif. to provide his bulk honey to keep things cheaper without a middleman. SideTrack’s mead runs $18 for a four-pack, which Phillips said is among the lowest priced mead in the market.
Find SideTrack Mead pouring at the Bay Area Craft Beer Festival Saturday, April 26th in Martinez.
Stay updated on SideTrack Mead here or visit @sidetrack_mead on Instagram. Questions? Contact Steven Phillips at sidetrackmead@gmail.com.
https://richmondstandard.com/richmond/2025/03/26/sidetrack-mead-debuts-in-richmond-and-beyond/
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