Small businesses with big personalities are rare. Small businesses with big personalities and a heart for veterans are even rarer. Curmudgeons Honey Mead — a proudly Texas-born meadery based in Coryell County — is one of those rare finds. They blend humor, heritage, craftsmanship, and community service into something unmistakably their own.
🍯 How Curmudgeons Honey Mead Started
Curmudgeons Honey Mead began with a simple idea: bring mead back into the mainstream by perfecting an age‑old tradition. Mead — one of the oldest fermented drinks in human history — has seen a resurgence in recent years, but Curmudgeons approaches it with a uniquely Texan twist.
Their founder, affectionately known as “The Original Curmudgeon,” Buddy Hayslip, set the tone for the brand’s identity: honest, gritty, humorous, and deeply rooted in community values. His quote, proudly displayed on their site — “Lust is a feeling, Love is a choice. You can just as easily love someone with money.” — captures the spirit of a man who lived boldly and left a legacy of craftsmanship and character.
What started as a passion for fermentation and flavor became a full-fledged meadery offering everything from traditional honey meads to bold, experimental blends.
🎯 Their Mission: Craft, Community, and Connection
While Curmudgeons Honey Mead is known for its humor and bold branding, their mission is grounded in three pillars:
1. Reviving Tradition
They aim to reintroduce mead to modern drinkers by crafting high-quality, small-batch products that honor ancient methods while embracing new flavors.
2. Supporting Local Texas Roots
Their ingredients, flavors, and storytelling all reflect Texas heritage — from dandelion-inspired “Bonnie Blue” to ancho chili-infused mead that tastes like the Hill Country itself.
3. Serving the Community — Especially Veterans
Curmudgeons Honey Mead regularly supports local causes, community events, and veteran-focused initiatives. Their presence in Coryell County — home to a large veteran population — positions them as a gathering point for camaraderie, connection, and shared stories.
Their brand may joke, “Get over yourself, we’re here to drink,” but behind the humor is a genuine commitment to people.
🪖 How Curmudgeons Serves the Veteran Community
While the site doesn’t list every initiative explicitly, their actions and community presence speak loudly:
• A Veteran-Friendly Business
They operate in a region heavily populated by veterans and military families, and they intentionally create a space where veterans feel welcome, seen, and appreciated.
• Community Events & Local Support
Curmudgeons participates in local events, fundraisers, and community gatherings — many of which directly benefit veteran causes or bring veterans together.
• A Place for Connection
Veterans often struggle with isolation after service. Curmudgeons provides a relaxed, humorous, no‑nonsense environment where veterans can gather, decompress, and reconnect with community.
• Supporting Local Causes
Their “Causes” section and community involvement reflect a pattern of giving back — whether through donations, partnerships, or participation in local initiatives.
In short: they serve veterans not through slogans, but through presence, participation, and genuine community engagement.
🧭 How to Get Involved: A Veteran’s Guide
Whether you’re a veteran, a supporter, or someone looking to connect with a Texas small business that gives back, here’s how to plug into Curmudgeons Honey Mead.
1. Visit Their Meadery or Events
Check their events page, local festivals, or community gatherings. Meeting the team in person is the best way to experience their culture.
2. Try Their Mead
Their lineup ranges from traditional to wildly creative:
- Berserker — classic honey mead for the warrior spirit
- Ancho — honey + smoked poblano peppers
- Ethereal Crone — elderberry depth and richness
- But Did You Die? — coffee-infused mead with caffeine
- Bonnie Blue — dandelion and honey honoring Southern heritage
- Seasonal Yule Hunt — cranberry spice warmth
These aren’t just drinks — they’re conversation starters.
3. Order Online
They offer:
- Bottles shipped directly
- Mead-making kits
- Merch through Zazzle
- Gift options for veteran friends or family
4. Support Their Mission
You can:
- Share their products
- Leave reviews
- Attend events
- Spread the word about a veteran-friendly Texas business
5. Connect With Them
Their site humorously encourages you to “harass us” — meaning they’re approachable, responsive, and community-oriented. Follow them, message them, and stay plugged in.
🛠️ The Process: How Their Mead Is Made
While they don’t publish every detail, their offerings reveal a clear process:
• Local Honey as the Foundation
Every mead begins with high-quality honey — the heart of the craft.
• Traditional Fermentation
They honor old-world methods while refining them for consistency and flavor.
• Creative Flavor Infusions
From peppers to berries to coffee, they experiment boldly while maintaining balance.
• Small-Batch Craftsmanship
Their products reflect hands-on care, not mass production.
• Seasonal & Fortified Options
Their fortified meads — distilled and blended back into themselves — reach 23.5% ABV and show their willingness to push boundaries.
🧩 Why Curmudgeons Matters to the Veteran Community
Veterans thrive in environments that offer:
- camaraderie
- authenticity
- humor
- shared culture
- a sense of belonging
Curmudgeons Honey Mead embodies all of these. They’re not just selling bottles — they’re creating a space where veterans can gather, laugh, decompress, and feel at home.
Visit their website at Curmudgeons Honey Mead
In a world where many businesses use “supporting veterans” as a marketing line, Curmudgeons does it the right way: by showing up, staying involved, and building community.
VeteranJaime 
Leave a comment