Not if you get the good stuff. (I have yet to successfully make "good stuff" in terms of mead.) One thing to watch out for is bogus meads. You'll frequently see what's basically white wine with honey and herbs dumped in called mead. Read the label carefully, make sure it's made from just honey and water. Some people like mead with apples and other fruits, but for me personally that defeats the purpose. A nice clean mead with a teeny bit of spice and you've got joy in a mug.