Black River Technical College (BRTC) will offer a one-of-a-kind brewing experience from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Monday between November 20 and December 11.
The class will be held at Juniper Tree Meadery, located at 2112 AR-358 West, just outside of Paragould. The cost of the class is $85 and the deadline to register is Monday, November 13.
Participants will experience the art of making wine from start to finish in a hands-on workshop taught by Juniper Tree Meadery owner Lynn Childers. Each individual will choose whether they learn to make white wine, red wine, or mead.
Childers of Jonesboro has been brewing beer, wine, and mead for more than 30 years. He and his wife Deondra, who is a lifetime resident of Jonesboro, like to travel the country visiting breweries, meaderies, and wineries.
“We found that it’s a niche market that we love, that’s not being offered to the patrons of Northeast Arkansas,” Lynn said. “It was something we loved to do and there are several in NWA. The people of NEA were missing out on something wonderful. We have seen strong interest in the community since opening in 2022.”
The Juniper Tree Meadery website states that the meadery “started from a love for the rich history of Mead, and also a love for science and biology.”
Mead made on-site is made from 95 percent locally sourced honey colonies.
“Everything is natural,” said Childers. “The production of mead also helps create awareness of the plight of a declining bee population and also puts a demand on honey products which incentivizes beekeepers to maintain productive apiaries (colonies).”
Childers is also a seasoned teacher having taught mead-making classes at NEA Brewery Supply.
According to Arkansas The Natural State magazine, Juniper Tree Meadery is an award-winning one-of-a-kind attraction in NEA with products ranging from sweet to semi-dry. Their NTS (Not Too Sweet) took the silver medal at the 2022 Valkyries Horn Mead Competition and features Arkansas wildflower honey. Their Angry Earl, also a silver medal winner, is an Arkansas wildflower honey mead with flavors of Earl Grey tea, sage, and a touch of peppercorn. The meadery also offers seasonal flavors, like their new small batch of watermelon honey wine. Visitors will also find seasonal “mocktails” that can be turned into cocktails with flavors like Citrus Kiss, Pina Colada, and Cilantro Lime Jalapeño Margarita.
For more information about the wine-making class contact, BRTC Community Education at (870) 248-4180.