Did you know that the oldest family farm in Iowa is now home to a meadery? Visit East Grove Farms and you’ll be in the middle of more than 180 years of Iowa history and sampling one of the world’s very first alcoholic beverages. Mead has its roots at the very beginning of civilization.

East Grove Farm was founded by two abolitionists in 1837.

Google Local / Jason Rudd Since then, it has been in continual operation as a family farm! According to most records, this is the oldest family farm in the Hawkeye State.

A few years ago, the Garretsons began restoring the farmhouse and planting elderberries on the property.

Tripadvisor / management Joel C. Garretson is a direct descendant of the original farmers here, and he wanted to rejuvenate East Grove Farms with something a little new.

East Grove Farms began making mead in 2017!

Facebook / East Grove Farms This ancient drink was accidentally discovered 20,000 years ago by hunters who drank fermented honey water. They were quite happy when they realized its intoxicating effects.

East Grove now makes up to 10 seasonally-distinct meads at any given time.

Facebook / East Grove Farms You can visit their tasting room and sample their chili-infused mead, dry sparkling mead, Johnny Apple Mead, and their famous elderberry mead.

Be sure to keep an eye on their calendar and attend their summertime music festival!

Facebook / East Grove Farms There’s always something happening on the farm, and you’ll want to join the party.

Each event they host is welcoming to all — you’ll immediately feel like part of the family when you visit the farm.

Facebook / East Grove Farms Enjoy beautiful Iowa scenery in the middle of an 800-acre farm while trying out a “new-to-you” drink sounds delightful.

If you can’t make it out to the country, you can still try East Grove Meads.

Facebook / East Grove Farms This unique beverage — once considered the Drink of the Gods by the ancient Greeks — is available at many local Hy-Vees and liquor stores.

Learn more about this Iowa meadery on their website, here. You can also follow their events and happenings on Facebook!

Google Local / Jason Rudd

Since then, it has been in continual operation as a family farm! According to most records, this is the oldest family farm in the Hawkeye State.

Tripadvisor / management

Joel C. Garretson is a direct descendant of the original farmers here, and he wanted to rejuvenate East Grove Farms with something a little new.

Facebook / East Grove Farms

This ancient drink was accidentally discovered 20,000 years ago by hunters who drank fermented honey water. They were quite happy when they realized its intoxicating effects.

You can visit their tasting room and sample their chili-infused mead, dry sparkling mead, Johnny Apple Mead, and their famous elderberry mead.

There’s always something happening on the farm, and you’ll want to join the party.

Enjoy beautiful Iowa scenery in the middle of an 800-acre farm while trying out a “new-to-you” drink sounds delightful.

This unique beverage — once considered the Drink of the Gods by the ancient Greeks — is available at many local Hy-Vees and liquor stores.

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Address: East Grove Farms LLC, 1878 335th St, Salem, IA 52649, USA