Maryland Meadworks will open its doors for a series of soft openings in late September and be fully open by October.

The Hyattsville meadery at 4700 Rhode Island Ave. is readying its first batches and making minor cosmetic improvements on site, such as adding benches for additional seating.

On a recent visit, the Hyattsville Wire sampled the very first batch of the meads, Tart Gwen, named for 89-year-old University Park resident Gwen Brewer, one of the meadery’s earliest supporters.

The mead was made with a mix of wildflower honey from Hyattsville’s Hope Honey Farm and Lancaster, Pennsylvania’s Dutch Gold plus Montmorency cherry juice from a farm in Michigan and freshly cut lemon thyme from New Brooklyn Farms in Mount Rainier.

Founder Ken Carter said the meadery is partnering with a number of other locally owned businesses, offering sourdough pretzel sticks from Shortcake Bakery next door and using handcrafted furniture from Tanglewood Works.

On the brewing side, he said the meadery has a “good working relationship” with Streetcar 82 Brewing Co., Franklin’s and D.C. Brau. You can also expect to see Maryland Meadworks at the annual Hyattsville Arts and Ales Festival on Sept. 22.

Carter was excited to welcome the first customers soon.

“They can expect to encounter a unique gathering place where they and their friends and neighbors can enjoy some fantastic mead in a cozy setting,” he said. “We will also have local entertainment and guest lecturers as the year progresses.”