B. Nektar Necromangocon 500ML

B. Nektar Necromangocon 500ML is a mango and black pepper honey wine (mead) from Ferndale, Michigan, bottled at 6.0% ABV in a 500ml format. Earning a 90 score on RateBeer, this session-strength mead stands out for its unusual pairing of tropical mango sweetness with a warm black pepper spice kick — a combination that keeps the drink lively without letting either element dominate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.0%  |  Origin: Ferndale, Michigan, USA  |  Style: Session Mead (Honey Wine)  |  Meadery: B. Nektar Meadery

Production & Heritage

B. Nektar Meadery, based in Ferndale, Michigan, has built a reputation as one of America's most inventive mead producers, specializing in boldly flavored, approachable honey wines that challenge the traditional perception of mead as a heavy, overly sweet beverage. Necromangocon is fermented from a base of water and honey, then blended with mango juice concentrate and black pepper. The result is a gluten-free, low-ABV mead with light carbonation — a deliberate departure from the higher-gravity, still meads that define the old-world style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet, floral mango rises first, followed by a soft undercurrent of raw honey and a faint peppery warmth. The nose is bright and inviting, leaning tropical rather than cloying.

Taste: The entry is distinctly mango-forward with a fruity, almost wine-like sweetness. At mid-palate, citrusy honey brightness emerges and balances the fruit. Black pepper then asserts itself toward the peak, adding a gentle spice that keeps the sweetness in check without creating real heat.

Finish: Light carbonation creates a crisp, clean feel that washes away quickly, leaving a brief echo of pepper and ripe mango. The finish is short and refreshing, encouraging the next sip.

How to Drink Necromangocon

Serve well chilled, straight from the bottle or poured into a tulip glass to concentrate the mango aromatics. Its low ABV and light body make it a natural warm-weather sipper on its own.

• Mead Spritz: Top with sparkling water and a squeeze of lime for an ultra-refreshing, low-alcohol cooler that highlights the mango-pepper contrast.
• Tropical Sangria: Use as a base with fresh tropical fruit and a splash of white rum — the honey backbone adds complexity traditional wine sangria lacks.
• Spicy Mango Mimosa: Substitute for champagne at brunch alongside orange juice; the black pepper adds an unexpected savory edge.

Best For

• Introducing curious drinkers to modern American mead
• Summer cookouts and backyard gatherings where low-ABV options are welcome
• Gifting to adventurous beverage enthusiasts who want something outside the beer-wine-spirits mainstream
• Pairing experiments with spicy or tropical cuisine

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Necromangocon taste like? Necromangocon leads with ripe, sweet mango and citrusy honey, then finishes with a distinct black pepper spice that balances the fruit without creating significant heat. It drinks light and crisp with gentle carbonation.

How does Necromangocon compare to B. Nektar Ow My Mangos? Both are mango-based meads from B. Nektar, but Ow My Mangos uses habanero pepper for genuine chile heat, while Necromangocon relies on black pepper for a subtler, more aromatic warmth. Necromangocon is the milder, more approachable option of the two.

Is Necromangocon good for mead beginners? Yes — its 6.0% ABV, light body, and familiar mango flavor make it one of the most accessible entry points into the mead category. It drinks closer to a flavored cider than a traditional heavy honey wine.

Where is Necromangocon made? Necromangocon is produced by B. Nektar Meadery in Ferndale, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit known as a hub for craft beverage production.

What foods pair well with Necromangocon? Thai green curry benefits from the mango sweetness balancing coconut and chile heat. Jerk chicken mirrors the fruit-and-pepper profile in the mead itself. Grilled shrimp skewers with mango salsa create a complementary tropical pairing. Mild soft cheeses like brie allow the pepper and honey to shine. Fresh fruit tarts echo the mead's bright, dessert-like character.

What sizes does Necromangocon come in? Necromangocon is available in a 500ml bottle, which is the standard format for B. Nektar's mead lineup.

Is Necromangocon worth the price? Necromangocon positions as an affordable, entry-level craft mead, and its 500ml format and distinctive flavor profile deliver strong value relative to other specialty meads on the market.

Why Necromangocon?

The mango-and-black-pepper combination is uncommon even in a category that thrives on experimentation, and B. Nektar executes it with restraint — neither ingredient overwhelms the honey base. A 90-point RateBeer score reflects a mead that balances novelty with genuine drinkability. At 6.0% ABV and gluten free, it occupies a rare niche: a session-strength honey wine that appeals equally to mead enthusiasts and drinkers who have never tried the category. For anyone looking beyond conventional wine and beer, Necromangocon is a credible and distinctive starting point.