Garagiste started with a couple of home-mead makers back in 2015, before most people in the country had even heard of mead, let alone tasted it. Now, the Florida crew is a powerhouse on the scene, and it’s all thanks to the fans. See, in order to get the idea off the ground, owner Chad Wiltz started an online crowdfunding campaign, and the results outpaced his wildest expectations. He knew he had to live up to the dizzying amount of hype, so he committed to using only the best honey, flavored with the finest fruits available. The model has paid off! Now, Garagiste is among the most respected meaderies in the world, with multiple awards including East Coast Mead Maker of the Year!