Rankings from Rowany Festival

Unto the Brewers, Vintners, and Imbibers of Lochac does Clerk Bjorn send Greetings,

==Retrospective==

Last week on the 9th of April in this LXth year of the Society, the Annual Meeting of the Guild was held in accordance with our Charter. I am much pressed for time at present, so will enumerate the minutes and other details of that meeting at another time. For now (since it is a low activation energy task), I have processed and included here the Rankings that were judged and finalised at Rowany Festival.

===Rankings===

The Guild exists to encourage and celebrate the Art of crafting and appreciating libations, and to bring together into fraternity and community those of us interested in sharing in that Art with one another.

In that Art, we develop skills in the merit of beverages by their palatability and historicity, as well as understandings of the history of the Art itself, sharing the knowledges of these things, and serving the guild that the Art may be furthered and its merits and delights be spread to those others that it might benefit. We pursue these virtues and celebrate them in each other, and the Rankings of the Guild give a scaffold for that pursuit.

It is my pleasure to announce the following newest Ranked members of the Guild:

Padraig Lowther was elevated by Konig Thorvaldr and Drottning Amabilia, rightful King and Queen of Lochac, to the Order of the Laurel for his skill and wisdom in the Art and Science of Brewing and Vintning. He processed into Their Majesties’ Court upon a seat made from a coopered barrel with a choir singing IN VINO VERITAS, CEREVISO FELICITASSIMUS. He swore his oath upon a mash paddle of laurel wood, and then had his wines delivered unto the populace upon his elevation. In accordance with our Charter, he is so too henceforth elevated to the Rank of Master of the Guild of Brewers, Vintners, and Imbibers.

Master Padraig is now granted the rights of a Master of the Guild in accordance with the Ordinances of the Guild.

Rosalind Beaufort achieved the rank of Journeyman, with her Cardamom and Lemon Mead, Hypocras, and Date Wine all having been found to be brewed to a High Standard by Master James Douglas and Master Padraig Lowther. The Date Wine was brewed to a period recipe, which can be found on the website at https://brewers.lochac.sca.org/files/2026/04/Date-Wine-v2-Rosalind-Beaufort.docx

Bjorn Bassason achieved the rank of Journeyman, with his several Hypocrasses all having been found to be brewed to a High Standard by Master James Douglas and Master Padraig Lowther. The Hypocrasses were all brewed to period recipes, which will be made available when time permits for editing.

Rosalind and Bjorn are now granted the right to judge submissions for the Rank of Journeyman in accordance with the Ordinances of the Guild.

Ari Egillsdottir Gaard achieved the rank of Apprentice, with a brew made by her hand having been found Drinkable by the witness of Apprentice Bjorn Bassason and Master James Douglas

Mikhail ibn Iskander achieved the rank of Apprentice, with a brew made by his hand having been found Drinkable by the witness of Master Padraig Lowther and Master James Douglas.

Norman Douglas achieved the rank of Apprentice, with a brew made by his hand having been found Drinkable by the witness of Apprentice Bjorn Bassason and Apprentice Rosalind Beaufort.

Skaering Arta achieved the rank of Apprentice, with a brew made by his hand having been found Drinkable by the witness of Master James Douglas and Apprentice Bjorn Bassason.

Thorolf Brandtsson achieved the rank of Apprentice, with a brew made by his hand having been found Drinkable by the witness of Master James Douglas and Apprentice Bjorn Bassason.

Yast Melkhii achieved the rank of Apprentice, with a brew made by his hand having been found Drinkable by the witness of Master James Douglas and Apprentice Bjorn Bassason.

These members are now granted the right to judge submissions for the Rank of Apprentice in accordance with the Ordinances of the Guild.

Please join me in celebrating the newest Ranked members of the Guild.

The full list of Ranked Members can be found on the newly updated Guild website at https://brewers.lochac.sca.org/guild-members/

I heartily encourage members of the Guild to hold Tastings and Competitions of the Guild that the noble Art may be thus shared amongst one another and with the populace. And I further encourage members to explore the Rankings of the Guild as a pleasing yardstick of achievement, and to inspire others to like achievement in the noble Art.

Forms are available at https://brewers.lochac.sca.org/members/guild-rankings/

If you would like to run a Guild competition, please let me know so that I can advertise it on regular Guild channels.

Long may we partake in the Joys and Mysteries of the Noble Art. I look forward to sharing in that Art with you all again soon.

Yours in continued Service to the Brewers, Vintners, and Imbibers of Lochac

ᛓᛁᚭᚱᚿᛓᛁᛆᚱᚿᚢᛚᛧᛓᛆᛌᛆᛌᚭᚿᚢᚱᛓᛁᛆᚱᚿᚢᛁᚢ

Virðuligr Drottin Bjorn Bjarnylr Bassason ór Bjarneyu

Clerk