Unto the Brewers, Vintners, and Imbibers of Lochac does Clerk Bjorn send Greetings,
===Spring War===
At Spring War this past 5th day of October AS 59, there was held a meeting and general tasting of the Guild. At least 10 (according to my records) Lords, Ladies, and other Gentles were present for the meeting. Most, if not all of whom are Members of the Guild.
A Guild Competition was held for SMaSH Beers. Entries were to be brewed with a single base malt and a single hop variety, with as many additions as desired.
We had 3 entries in the competition. Lord AElfred se Leof was the winner of the competition, having made all from the same base a Strong Ale, Small Ale, and a Strong Ale with lower carbonation levels emulating what ales may have been more like in period. Lord AElfred received a large mash paddle made by mine own hand with the badge of the guild etched in fire upon its handle. Sadly I do not have a photo of the paddle to share with you all, but Lord AElfred has indicated an interest in making of the paddle a perpetual trophy of sorts.
In addition to the SMaSH Beers, Lady Rosalind presented a Red Ale. Of Wines and Ciders, Lady Rosalind presented her Date Wine, and I presented a Hypocras. Of Meads and Melomels, Lady Rosalind presented her Cardamom Metheglin before Master Ianto treated us to his flight of the Diemen Drink: Traditional Mead, Mead with Citrus, White Metheglin, and of course the Blackcurrant Mead.
As always, the tasting was an excellent opportunity for novice and experienced brewers alike to come together to enjoy and discuss the details of our Noble Art.
===Rowany Festival===
The dates have been set and bookings open for next Rowany Festival, 16th-21st of April. There is some interest in the Guild taking responsibility for the Tavern at Rowany Festival. This could be a good opportunity for the Guild to facilitate a social venue that has not been prominent at Rowany Festival for some years. It could also be a useful “home” for the Guild at Rowany Festival where the Guild could hold its Annual Meeting, conduct tasting(s) without concern of cutting into (or being disrupted by) the scheduled activities in other venues, and where various classes and workshops of the Noble Art might be shared with the populace.
I am interested in exploring this possibility further and would like to invite Members of the Guild who might be interested in this idea to reach out to me. Feel free to drop me a message on Facebook or email me at nick.k.watson(at)gmail(dot)com
More details will be forthcoming as the idea takes on more shape.
In any case I will organise the Annual Meeting at Rowany Festival, at which shall be held a Competition that has been set by Master Ianto van Diemen. The details are:
“The favourite I keep making”
I hope this will give people a chance to present a recipe they are practiced at, and know how to make well. It does not have to be made specifically for the competition if they already have it available and ready to drink. Do tell us when it was made.
The winner shall receive a RAPT Pill Hydrometer & Thermometer, sponsored by Master Ianto van Diemen. This piece of sorcery measures the specific gravity and temperature of your brew wirelessly from the inside.
I already have an idea of what I might enter. Do you have any ideas?
Yours in Service to the Guild of Brewers, Vintners, and Imbibers
ᛓᛁᚭᚱᚿᛓᛁᛆᚱᚿᚢᛚᛧᛓᛆᛌᛆᛌᚭᚿᚢᚱᛓᛁᛆᚱᚿᚢᛁᚢ
Virðuligr Drottin Bjorn Bjarnylr Bassason ór Bjarneyu
Clerk