White Bear Meadery — Restaurant in Maplewood

I was a regular at this establishment with my boyfriend and friends where we enjoyed the atmosphere and drinks countless times. However, this last visit we were yelled/screamed at by the owner for laughing and being loud. Granted, I had a group of 11 people playing board games with tabs that were each well over $100 and we were enjoying ourselves and on upon someones victory, the owner had borderlined screamed at us from the bar to be quiet due to losing 4 customers from our presence. There was no prior warning from him or any other employee, no polite asking us to quiet down and after his outburst countless other patrons had left on their own accord. His employees had to explain his behavior apologizing on his behalf and said they themselves had no issue with our table and did not understand why he reacted in that manor. Even as we were leaving the owner did not come to apologize to us but had made another employee do so on his behalf. Overrall, it is an incredibly dissapointing experience and embarassing to be humiliated in front of the entire establishment. Also, I find it appalling that your employees have to explain that you have a "short fuse" and your overrall behavior and that you as the owner do not have the humility to come and acknowledge your wrongdoings and makes someone else do it for you. It was a very unprofessional, overdramatic, aggressive reaction which was absolutely not warranted.

Editing to your response: Borderline screaming at patrons with no prior warning or discussion from YOU or your employees is no way to act in public or in an establishment nor is it a productive way to communicate...

My wife, daughter and i visited for National Mead Day yesterday and it was our first time in White Bear Meadery's new space. The new location is SO gorgeous inside - its such a unique and inviting place to visit. There is a ton of room for groups, a load of really incredible merchandise, food and even a spot for kids to play. Our one-year old spent the entire time looking around wide-eyed and pointing at things - it was very cute.

My wife and I each got mead flights because we wanted to try a few different varieties. The price for the flights is pretty generous, honestly, and all of the meads we had were excellent. We have been to a few different meaderies and some meads can be overly sweet or on the other end of the spectrum taste astringent like rubbing alcohol, but every variety we had at white bear was very welp balanced and tasted exactly like the tasting notes the menu gave. Our favorites were the spiced epel, the ratatoskr, the Jul, and the Dragon's fire. The jul truly does taste like Christmas in a glass and I'm not sure I've ever had anything quite like it - we ended up buying a bottle. The dragon's fire is a mead with habanero and garlic hot dauce and it has a really great flavor and burn to it. I think I've gotten it every time I've been there.

We definitely recommend White Bear Meadery and we would go way more often if it werent kind of far away. I prefer it to most of the typical wineries I've been...

It is not often I give a five star review to a place, but it is worthy of such designation. Josh is an amazing guy. He is also the owner. He has a heart for customers as people. He respects and listens to them as such. He is an amazing listener. Likewise, the product he makes is far from standard. It tastes wonderful. He has everything for your taste. Want something sweet? He has you covered. Want something not too sweet? He has your back. Something dry? Coming right up. Not only that but everything is LOCAL. He drives all over the cities just to get his ingredients. He does not make any shortcuts. Each batch is made in house with care. One taste and you'll be convinced. I’m a regular customer because of this. Josh is an honest business man who looks out for his customers. He gives great product and is great company. To give him anything less than 5 stars would be short changing him. If you’re willing to try something new, give to a local business or just want a place were you can some great local liquor, this is the place. He even has tiny 3.5 oz bottles to try some of his newest batches. Can’t make it to the store? Delivery is available to bring you some of Josh’s finest creations. I would recommend this to everyone. Shop local and support Josh’s amazing creations. You won’t be...