I didn't want to put a spoiler in the title...

Anyway...

To continue the thread of things I never knew or as I put it: I didn't know...

Mead with Juniper Berries was found in Helgen and a replier said she thought juniper berries were more common in the Reach, rather than near Helgen. As to why this Mead would be found there instead of the Reach: maybe it makes it even extra special to be found in a region where it is would not be expected, and desired more in Skyrim. Also, mayber there's a place in the Reach that brews it or hasn't been found yet; or could be a good user mod quest if you have a computer version of the game. I play on the PS3 so I doubt anything would be that extra special on my version of the game. However, I wouldn't put it past Bethesda to add such an extra touch.

I only found 5 in the afore-mentioned location in previous thread, I was hoping for a six-pack!

Thanks for taking the initiative, and reviving the thread

My only epiphany for now, is that you can knock beehives out of trees (or whatever they're attached to) with arrows, spells, or what-have-you.

Unfortunately, doing so doesn't seem to make them respawn with new bee-related goodies. They appear to respawn empty.

The mead is found in Helgen because there lived a woman who made mead with juniper berries in there.

The dialogue during the introduction has one of your fellow captives in the cart make a comment about the juniper berry mead.