Rowany,Canty, Fields of Gold, oh my!

Greetings fellow brewers.  I have been travelling this Kingdom, and seen the wondrous activity of our brewing community.  At Fields of Gold, held in Politarchopolis in early December, Lord Bjorn organised an area for any guild members to present their wares to the Kingdom.  Ably assisted by Jochen Schwabe, who provided a fantastic “hole in the wall”, the event was well provisioned by Bjorn’s meads and ciders, Lord Aymer’s cider, and my own yppocras and beers, as well as Bjorns snacks.  I am looking forward to what we can put together for next FoG, and, sorry about the “appley” beer and if I missed any contributors.

From FoG, my family joined the caravan and headed east, to Canterbury Faire, an event most splendid and worth the journey.  I was welcomed by our fellow brewers with open arms and proffered bottles, and enjoyed the spirits tasting held on the Monday of that event.  Many thanks to the organisers of the tastings, in particular Lord Maximilian and Lord Kotek.  It was good to see the enthusiasm for the brewing arts, and the amazing display of wares offered up for tasting.

At this event, two of our number, being Mistress Aveline and Lord Damien had their wares examined, and were granted elevation to the rank of Journeymen of the Guild.  Congratulations on achieving this, and I look forward to tasting your work in the future.

Again, with rankings, and after reading back through correspondence received, three members of the Guild have been added to the number of Apprentice, being Kotek  Torzhoskoi, Howard of Gildenwick and  Sir Master Vitale Giustiniani.  My apologise for not attending to this sooner, and congratulations on your apprenticeship.

Finally, Rowany Festival draws nigh, and as is the tradition, Master Padraig, who won last years brewing competition, and set the rules for this year’s brewers comp, to be judged at the Guild Meeting at Rowany this Easter.  His conditions for entry are as follows: “a dark ale or beer, to whatever recipe or redaction the entrant favours so long as it come from grain”.  I, for one, am looking forward to see what is offered at the tasting this Festival, and look forward to meeting more members of the Guild.  Once the date and timing of the meeting is confirmed, I will advise in all the usual places.

Your servant,

James Douglas

In Strathcorbie, on the feast of St Victor and Claudian, in the Reign of Eva and Felix