I have been VERY excited to try Acid League’s Bee Complex. Acid League leans into the fact that non-alcoholic beverages can be uniquely distinct from alcoholic beverages. Rather than claiming to be N/A wines, they create unique flavors geared towards wine drinkers that are completely their own, which are comprised of artfully layered juices, teas, and vinegars.
I love Mead, so I thought Bee Complex was the first proxy I should try. I picked up a bottle at $28 from Boisson NYC and cracked it open in preparation for our Friendsgiving charcuterie extravaganza. Opening it was a luxury- the yellow wax seal and the cover art really show the pride that Acid League puts into these bottles.
It’s good- at first I was concerned that it was a little too vinegary. It’s marketed to be similar to a dessert wine, which I’d agree with. I liked it slightly better as it sat out and wasn’t fridge-cold. The vinegar definitely separated it from a mead-style dessert wine. It has a similar acidity as a Kombucha, but with the sweetness, the vinegar really stood out. The more I drank, the more I enjoyed it, however this one in particular is probably a one-glass maximum per evening for me.
It did compel me to buy the Velvet, a rich red with hints of coffee, cacao, and cabernet sauvignon grapes. You can read my review for Velvet here.
Acid League provides very helpful descriptions of their products. This one is described as the following:
Fruit: Tangerine, Peach, Pinot Blanc Grapes
Acidity: Ginger Vinegar
Spice: Propolis, Bee Pollen, Honeysuckle, Calendula
Body: Linden Honey
Pair With: Foie Gras, Goat Cheese & Honey, Fruit Tarts, Figs
Hope you enjoy!
As Many As You Want 