Here’s an overview of sack mead, session mead, and hydromel, each of which offers a distinct mead experience:

1. Sack Mead

Description: A stronger, sweeter mead with higher alcohol content and more residual sugar.
Characteristics: Sweetness Level: Sweet, with a significant amount of residual sugar.
Alcohol Content: Typically higher than most meads, usually ranging from 12-20% ABV.
Flavor Profile: Rich and intense, often showcasing deep honey flavors and potentially complex notes from added fruits, spices, or herbs.
Mouthfeel: Full-bodied and smooth, with a velvety texture due to the higher sugar content.
Production Notes: Made by allowing fermentation to complete, then back-sweetening with additional honey or by blending a sweeter mead with a more alcoholic base.

2. Session Mead

Description: A lighter, lower-alcohol mead designed to be more refreshing and easy to drink in larger quantities.
Characteristics: Sweetness Level: Can range from dry to semi-sweet, though often less sweet than sack mead.
Alcohol Content: Lower than most meads, typically ranging from 4-8% ABV.
Flavor Profile: Light and often crisp, with a balanced honey flavor that makes it more drinkable over extended periods.
Mouthfeel: Light and refreshing, ideal for casual sipping or social occasions.
Production Notes: Achieved by using less honey and/or controlling fermentation to produce a lower alcohol content.

3. Hydromel

Description: A very light, low-alcohol mead, often referred to as a type of “light” mead.
Characteristics: Sweetness Level: Can vary from dry to semi-sweet, depending on the amount of residual sugar left after fermentation.
Alcohol Content: Typically, around 3-7% ABV, significantly lower than traditional meads.
Flavor Profile: Often has a delicate, subtle honey flavor with a clean finish. Can be very refreshing.
Mouthfeel: Light and crisp, similar to a low-alcohol beer or light wine.
Production Notes: Made with a high dilution of honey to water, leading to a lower alcohol content. The fermentation process is designed to produce a lighter, more refreshing beverage.

Summary:

Sack Mead: Strong, sweet, and rich with higher alcohol content.
Session Mead: Light, refreshing, and lower in alcohol, designed for easy drinking.
Hydromel: Very light, with low alcohol content and a delicate flavor, akin to a low-alcohol beer or wine.

Each type caters to different preferences and occasions, from robust and indulgent sack mead to the refreshing and approachable session and hydromel meads.