If you’re looking for a unique drinking experience in the heart of Midlothian, look no further than Funktastic Meads and Beer located on Alverser between Tazza Kitchen and Schwarzschild Jewelers. Owned by Matt Carroll, this one-of-a-kind meadery and brewery with 82 five-star Google reviews offers an exciting menu of meads and beers with unforgettable, nostalgic flavors. "I wanted to create something special that our local community would love," says Matt. "We offer flavors like PB&J, Root Beer, Swedish Fish, and Limoncello—unique, flavor-burst combinations that really surprise and impress people!"  The spacious taproom offers flights of meads and beers, while also offering both cans and bottles to-go for enjoyment at home!

Matt's journey to opening Funktastic Meads started with a passion for craft beverages and a lot of homebrewing. "I had a strong desire to share my creations with others," he explains. A grad of Penn State with a chemistry degree, Matt’s career path took him into UV printing ink formulation and silicone additives. "I spent years traveling the country in sales, visiting breweries and meaderies, which gave me a wealth of knowledge and connections that helped when starting Funktastic," Matt says. "It was a natural progression from hobbyist to business owner."

What truly sets Funktastic Meads apart is the bold, adventurous approach Matt takes with his flavors. Traditional meads tend to be semi-sweet or dry, but Matt has flipped the script with nostalgic twists. "We’ve done everything from PB&J meads to fruited stouts and sours," he says. "Not many meaderies or breweries can pull off those flavors consistently, but we make it work." Matt’s ingenious creativity and meticulous standards of excellence shine not only in his flavor combinations and brewery expertise, but also in his weaving pop culture art onto the meadery walls and even the bottle labels created by local artists. 

Matt’s ideal customer is someone who loves to explore new flavors and isn’t afraid to try something different. "If you come in with an open mind, you’re going to find something you enjoy," he shares. And it’s clear that this spirit of experimentation is catching on—Funktastic Meads recently earned a brewery license, adding even more variety to their offerings. Now, in addition to meads, they craft a range of beers, from traditional IPAs and lagers to experimental brews like Oreo and banana adjuncted stouts.

Matt’s passion for community extends beyond just crafting great drinks. "Every year, we partner with the ASK Cancer Foundation to offer a mead, honey, and dinner pairing," he says. "It's our way of giving back and showing how versatile mead and beer can be."

With a global following on the Untappd app, Funktastic Meads ranks #14 in the world for highest-rated meaderies and #1 and #2 for breweries and meaderies in Virginia. "We’re incredibly proud of the recognition, but it’s really about giving people an unforgettable experience," Matt says. So, if you haven’t yet experienced the funktastic flavors, swing into the taproom and get funky!