Bushwakker Brewpub releases this year’s batch of blackberry mead

It’s the day many people have waited for all year.

Bushwakker Brewpub released this year’s limited batch of blackberry mead at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday.

Dozens of people camped outside the pub overnight to purchase the mead. Only 6,000 bottles are brewed.

“We’ve been in line since 3:45 yesterday afternoon,” Brian Mercer said. “It’s been quite an adventure.”

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Mercer said he wanted to beat the guys from Manitoba who were first in line last year, so he and a friend headed down early. “It felt like Saskatchewan should be first this year.”

Mercer said it’s the flavour that makes the mead worth the wait. “It just goes down really well.”

The mead is made of honey, water, a special yeast and blackberries, Grant Frew, Bushwakker Brew Pub’s bar manager, said. “It’s not wine, it’s not beer, it’s blackberry mead. Very unique.”

Frew said Bushwakker’s has been making the mead for about 20 years, but it has really taken off in the last 10 years.

“I think a lot of people just enjoy the camaraderie of huddling together and staying warm outside of a brew pub all night in the Saskatchewan winter,” he said.

Jonathon Michell waited in line for about 13 hours.

“It’s one of Regina’s most fantastic traditions,” he said. “Let it continue.”