FAQ
1. What is the delivery time?
We deliver packages within 1 to 3 business days. Delivery time to the islands is 2 to 5 business days. We ship packages from Bjelovar. If the shipment needs to be delivered to Bjelovar and the surrounding area, and you would like us to deliver your order in person, enter the code "BJELOVARDOSTAVA" in the "Discount code" field on the Shopify shipping and payment form. You can also contact us at info@piratesheep.store. When you enter the code, the delivery fee will not be charged.
2. Do you deliver abroad?
Unfortunately not yet, but we are working on it!
3. What is the delivery price and is there free delivery above a certain amount?
Delivery costs 5.00 EUR. Delivery is free for total orders above 75.00 EUR.
4. Can I track my shipment?
Yes. Once the shipment is picked up by the courier, you will receive a tracking code by email along with a link to the official DPD courier website. We are not responsible for the accuracy of the data and information on the official DPD courier website. Still, if there is a problem, you can contact us at info@piratesheep.store. We will try to resolve the problem on your behalf, or compensate for any resulting damage or issue.
5. Can I cancel or change my order after it has been sent?
If you would like to make any changes to your order, please contact us at info@piratesheep.store as soon as possible.
6. Do you offer personal pickup?
No. But if the shipment needs to be delivered to Bjelovar and the surrounding area and you would like us to deliver your order in person, enter the code "BJELOVARDOSTAVA" in the "Discount code" field on the Shopify shipping and payment form. You can also contact us at info@piratesheep.store. When you enter the code, the delivery fee will not be charged.
7. Do you accept cash on delivery, card, or bank transfer payments?
Through our online store you can pay via PayPal, Google Pay, or by card for online payment. If you would like another payment method or need an R1 invoice, please contact us at info@piratesheep.store.
8. What if the bottle arrives broken or damaged?
If the shipment is damaged, please document the damage with photos as soon as possible and send them to info@piratesheep.store. If the shipment is damaged (if the bottle is broken or similar), you are entitled to a claim (refund or product replacement).
9. How do I know which mead I will like?
We have noticed that people who prefer dry wines tend to enjoy traditional mead and mead with black tea. Those who prefer red wines or, for example, blackberry wine tend to prefer Black Currant, which we also recommend to anyone who does not like the taste of honey, since black currant dominates the flavor. For all lovers of sweeter wines, and those who really love the taste of honey, we recommend Great Mead or Dry Fig Mead. But there are no rules! It is easiest for us to compare it to wine, but mead is an elixir all of its own.
10. How should mead be consumed?
It is recommended to consume it the way you would consume wine. Chilled to between 4 and 8 degrees Celsius depending on the type, served in a wine glass, or in your favorite mug, horn, bukara, chalice, or similar vessel.
11. How is mead stored and how long does it last?
Store the bottles in a dark, cool place with a stable temperature (ideally around 12 to 16 degrees Celsius). After opening, we recommend keeping the bottle in the refrigerator, closed with the original cork or a similar stopper, so it is not exposed to oxygen. The shelf life of mead in the refrigerator is the same as for other fermented alcoholic beverages (wine and similar). The cork we used up until 2026 has a 2 year guarantee. For newer batches, from 2027 onward, we will use corks with a +100 year guarantee.
12. What is the difference between gvirc and mead?
The difference lies in the production method and the raw materials used. Both drinks are fermented alcoholic beverages made from honey, with an alcohol content similar to wine. Gvirc (or gverc) is a traditional, centuries old drink tied to the area of northwestern Croatia and the Bilogora region. Gvirc is a unique product connected to the people and traditions of that area, and is usually produced by beekeepers. Gvirc is made using honey with a high proportion of comb, meaning wax, which is why it has to be cooked, giving it its characteristic caramel notes and deep amber color. The heat treated honey and water are fermented with the help of yeasts to reach an alcohol content above 20%, which is then diluted down to around 10 to 12 percent alcohol by volume. Gvirc is also not drunk the way wine is drunk, but rather chilled with a larger amount of ice. This description of the production process is not standardized, as every beekeeper has their own secrets, techniques, and multigenerational recipes for making gvirc, which they guard the way bees guard their hives.
Mead is a word used for various forms of alcoholic beverages made by fermenting honey. Unlike gvirc, mead is not heat treated to high temperatures. Pure natural honey, water, and yeast are mixed together, after which the yeast converts the sugars from the honey into alcohol through fermentation. The alcohol percentage depends on the type of yeast used. Mead is an ancient alcoholic drink that was produced in different ways depending on the region and available ingredients. It was made in prehistoric China, through to the Slavs in the Middle Ages, and continues to be made today. Mead is most commonly associated with the Vikings and their mythology. Throughout history, various fruits, spices, and herbs have been added to mead. The resulting alcohol percentage comes purely from the fermentation process; no pure alcohol is added and it is not diluted.
13. What is the difference between medica and mead?
These are two completely different drinks, even though they both use honey as their base.
Medica (medovača) is a brandy or ethyl alcohol mixed with honey. Medica is a traditional drink of Istria, known since Roman times. It is a very strong drink, usually with an alcohol content above 30%.
Mead is essentially a honey wine. It is an alcoholic beverage produced by fermenting honey with the help of yeast. Its alcohol content is usually around 12% and does not exceed 20%. Only one type of mead, Great Mead, exceeds the usual 12% alcohol content characteristic of wines, for the sake of historical accuracy. The entire process generally takes 3 to 6 months, including fermentation and aging.
14. At your stand we drank draft mead that was sparkling, what is that?
Our sparkling mead actually belongs to a type of mead called Fizzy Hydromel. Unlike our bottled meads, which are similar to wine, our sparkling mead is more similar to ciders. Its alcohol content does not exceed 7%. This mead is made the same way as our others, by fermenting honey, but it uses yeasts that do not exceed 7% alcohol content. The mead is also carbonated. We do not offer sparkling mead for sale by the bottle, only wholesale in "kegs". So you can drink our sparkling mead at our stands when we are at fairs. Beyond that, you can recommend us to your favorite local pub (maybe we can arrange something).
15. What if I am not satisfied with the mead or have a problem with the product afterward?
If there is a problem with the drink (an unusual taste or similar) or with the bottle (the mead has leaked), please contact us at info@piratesheep.store. We will process the claim (product replacement or refund) as soon as possible. This right is excluded if the mead was not stored properly.
Unfortunately, because we do not want to sterilize the ingredients, some bottles undergo secondary fermentation afterward. If we used sterilization, the flavors of the ingredients, especially the honey, would change. Our process leaves a small amount of room for secondary fermentation due to the so called wild yeasts found in natural honey. Another way to prevent secondary fermentation is by adding a large amount of sulfites. In our production process we use minimal amounts of natural sulfites, and we want to keep it that way.
If your bottle has leaked, even though you have not opened it, please contact us. Unfortunately, our mead was bottled in ceramic bottles until 2026, which carry the possibility of microfractures. Mead produced after 2026 will be in glass bottles, except for special limited editions. If you want to check whether your mead has leaked, you can weigh it. If it weighs less than 1500 grams, please contact us at info@piratesheep.store.
