B. Nektar Meadery, home of Zombie Killer brew, expanding in Ferndale

B. Nektar Meadery, a Ferndale company that started as a home-brew hobby and aims to become a globally known brand, is preparing to add 20,000 square feet for more production, offices and a tap room.

"We can call it the world headquarters," owner Brad Dahlhofer said. "We're about to launch in our 23rd state, Pennsylvania, in a month or two, and we're now selling in Europe."

The new space, which is expected to open in a few months, will be at 1511 Jarvis, near his facility at 1481 Wordsworth.

Mead, which has been around for centuries and has been called nectar of the gods, is popular in Michigan. It is created by fermenting honey and flavored with spices, fruit, hops and tea. Its alcohol content often ranges between 6% and 18%. It can be carbonated or still, dry or sweet.

Among ratebeer.com's top 10 meads, six are made by metro Detroit companies, including B. Nektar.

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Dahlhofer, 37, said his company has been growing annually. In addition to mead, B. Nektar has started making beer and craft cider.

"There's nowhere to put anything," Dahlhofer said, as workers filled bottles and stacked boxes of them near him.

He said he plans to use the new space for research and development as well as barrel aging. He's also adding a tap room, which will also include a kitchen, and would allow customers to sample mead, beer and cider.

"This is a business that was built out of passion," he said.

Dahlhofer said he started making mead with a buddy in small batches in his basement.

In 2005, he created a special batch to use to toast with at his wedding. The next year, however, his bride was laid off from her job. While sipping a glass, she decided her husband's homemade elixir was good enough to sell. Two years later, Brad Dahlhofer was out of work and the couple decided to open a meadery.

"Now, we're taking this warehouse that no one was using and turning it into a brewery and distillery," he said.

B. Nektar Meadery

To keep pace with demand, the Ferndale company is adding about 20,000 square feet at 1511 Jarvis that will include production, offices and a new tap room. In addition to mead, an alcoholic beverage made from honey, the company brews craft beers and cider.

Founders: Brad and Kerri Dahlhofer

Address: 1481 Wordsworth St.

Employees: 24

Website: www.bnektar.com