Drinking Up Knowledge at Brew U IV
by Master Richard the Poor of Ely, OP

This year's Brewers' Collegium was not as well attended as the previous
ones were, but much useful knowledge was shared.

Much of the weekend was taken up with Brewers' Guild business --
by-laws, especially ranks -- but those few non-guild-members didn't
seem to mind.

Two Masters from Atlantia attended.  One of them, the Guildmaster of
their Brewers' Guild, had been asked to "Peer Review" a submission for
a Complete Anachronist issue on mead, and passed it around for everyone
to scribble in their comments. Master Corwin of Darkwater led a
hands-on class in which we conjured up a batch of clarrey, a Period
spiced white wine.  We tasted samples of wine with each of a dozen
spices, then voted on which ones to include in the final recipe.

Lord Robert Abeille talked on Period beekeeping methods (for those who
want to know where mead comes from) and had several examples of the
tools of the trade for Show & Tell.  Countess Brekke Franksdottir
showed us how to make sausage (Man does not live on Beer alone), which
we ate at Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast.

Father Erno Scrumahli, in addition to entertaining us after dinner,
gave a short talk on tasting techniques so we could better appreciate
the fine beverages available.  Lord Owen (from Bhakhail; his last name
unfortunately escapes me right now) shared his knowledge of How to Go
Pro in brewing: he's involved in the starting and running of a brew pub
in Pennsylvania. Everyone had a good time, and all are looking forward
to next year.


from the January 1997 Seahorse