Has anyone mentioned Mead yet?
Don't think so.
I'll just add that mead is probably the weakest drink in history (traditionally, that is), and cannot be compared to vodka (or any strong drink) in any way.
It is good casual drink, though, or at least that is how it was used in old times.
In fact, one of the major reason behind the rise of alchoholism in Sweden (through 17th to 20th century, that is) was that the mead, which you have to drink a lot of if you want any effect, was exchanged for harder drinks (a lot harder that is), but it was still drunk in the same amount.
Stupid Swedes.