Midlothian has long been known for its charming community and burgeoning business scene, but it’s about to get a whole lot buzzier with the introduction of Funktastic Meads. This husband-and-wife venture, nestled at 1212 Alverser Plaza, is setting the local craft beverage arena ablaze with its innovative approach to mead—fermented honey wine—and now, with a tantalizing twist, beer. For those seeking a drink less ordinary, Funktastic Meads offers an intriguing alternative, combining traditional craftsmanship with wild creativity.

The brainchild of Matt and Heather Carroll, Funktastic Meads emerged from a potent blend of Matt’s background in chemistry and the couple’s shared passion for unique flavors. After leaving a career in chemistry, Matt dived into mead making, infusing traditional meads with everything from Swedish Fish to Carolina Reaper peppers, crafting variations that range from a tangy mead margarita to a cozy, root beer-inspired mead. But the Carrolls didn’t stop there; inspired by a crossroads in Matt’s career, they decided to expand their horizons further into the realms of craft beer, seeing it as an opportunity to introduce more people to the wonders of mead through a familiar yet adventurous pathway.

Funktastic Meads has captivated locals and visitors alike with an array of meads that defy expectations, featuring bold ingredients and even bolder tastes. From the audacity of pairing bananas with peanut butter to the sweet embrace of marshmallow and mango, each mead is a testament to the Carrolls’ commitment to pushing the boundaries of this ancient beverage. Such innovation has positioned Funktastic not just as a small business gem in Midlothian but as a beacon for craft beverage enthusiasts searching for something distinctly different.

The expansion into beer serves as both a gateway for the uninitiated and a new frontier for Funktastic Meads. Collaborating with local brewers like The Answer Brewpub and North Carolina-based Funguys Brewing, Funktastic has rolled out an eclectic beer lineup that includes everything from Japanese lagers to pastry stouts and fruited sours, fulfilling Matt’s vision of offering “low volume and new, unique products” that change regularly. This move is not just an expansion but an evolution, inviting beer lovers to embark on a journey into the rich, nuanced world of mead.

The road to opening Funktastic Meads was paved with the support of the Midlothian Business Alliance, instrumental in securing their spot at Alverser Plaza, a location near Chesterfield Towne Center. This spot not only offers ample space to produce and showcase their craft but acts as a hub where the curious and the connoisseurs alike can converge. Matt and Heather believe in educating their community about craft mead and beer, fostering an environment where every taste is a learning experience, every sip a story.

Funktastic is buzzing with excitement for what’s ahead, planning for a future rich with inventive mead and beer blends, community events, and the continous exploration of unconventional ingredients. As they prepare for their next big event—the annual mead festival—the Carrolls are a testament to what creativity, passion, and a bit of chemistry can brew. Funktastic Meads is not just offering drinks; it’s inviting Midlothian to savor the buzz of innovation and community spirit.

In embracing both mead and beer, Funktastic faces the unique challenges and advantages of navigating two distinct markets. Yet, through a business model focused on collaboration, education, and quality, they’ve managed to carve a niche that resonates well beyond Midlothian. By sourcing a variety of honey from across the globe and planning limited, thoughtful distribution, they ensure that each Funktastic concoction is as memorable as it is flavorful, contributing to the growing craft beverage tapestry of Virginia.

As Funktastic Meads and Beer becomes a staple of the Midlothian craft scene, it highlights the importance of local support, the power of education in consumer experience, and the endless possibilities when tradition meets innovation. Matt and Heather Carroll have not only created a space for enjoying exceptional meads and beers but have also ignited a community’s curiosity and thirst for the novel. For Midlothian residents and visitors alike, Funktastic Meads and Beer offer a delectable journey into the heart of craft beverage creativity.

Whether you’re a seasoned mead enthusiast or a curious beer aficionado, a visit to Funktastic Meads and Beer is sure to delight. With a calendar brimming with exciting events and the constant promise of new, tantalizing flavors, Funktastic stands as a beacon of creativity and community engagement in Midlothian. In a town known for its warmth and charm, Funktastic Meads and Beer invites everyone to raise a glass to the future—one sip at a time.