DRINK Liquid Alchemy co-founders Jeffrey "Doc" Cheskin and Terri Sorantino. Photos by John Vari
Mead
Magic
Liquid Alchemy’s founders haven’t struck gold with their venture, but they’ve prospered over five years and the future looks bright
W
e hope to create a completely different experience,” co-founder Terri Sorantino said about Liquid Alchemy Beverages, the craft mead and hard cider maker based southwest of Wilmington. That’s why the tasting room has so much stuff showcasing brewing history, a belief that alchemy is transformative and pop culture — including vintage bottles and equipment, hand-crafted drinking horns, a Viking helmet that’s really an ice bucket, a toaster shaped like Darth Vader and a cow-jumpingover-the-moon cookie jar. Plus, “a lot of guests bring us things that they want to live here,” she said. “We have a lot of alchemy here,” co-founder Jeffrey “Doc” Cheskin said of the ever-changing, floor-to-ceiling décor. “Things aren’t what they seem.” Twenty or so tables outdoors, some in an open garage, continue their eclectic style. That scene, with patio heaters providing multi-season comfort, is enhanced with old signs and a dog toilet featuring an old Wilmington fire hydrant donated by a city firefighter. The people toilets inside offer their own whimsies, including steampunk fixtures and pop art. The memorable look accompanies memorable beverages. Liquid Alchemy has earned gold medals from what they called all three of the nation’s mead trade groups (Mead Free or Die, the Texas Mead Cup and the Mazer Cup) and in 2019 was named meadery of the year by Mead Free or Die. ►
By Ken Mammarella
SEPTEMBER 2021
| OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM 47
