March 2026 Update – Royal Æthelmearc Guild of Brewers, Vintners, and Meadhers

Prepare your brews!

Their highnesses Prince Sutton and Princess Shionnach are anxious to sample the wonders of our kingdom's brewers!

The Kingdom Brewing Championship will take place at Blackstone Raids, April 23-26 in Gandeeville, West Virginia. Dust off your documentation (and maybe your bottles!) and stay tuned for more details as the current champion shapes this year's competition!

Each year Æthelmearc recognizes an accomplished individual who represents our arts at their highest level. This person receives the official court regalia (Æthelmug and chain of office) and may process with the royalty in to and out of court, as well as appear in state along with other kingdom champions.

Teach at Pennsic

Pennsic is a great opportunity for brewers to share knowledge with your peers (current and future). The Thing is open for you to submit your class description. Be sure to tag the classes with brewing and brewing and vintning if your topic might be of interest to brewers!

If you also let the Guildmaster know about your class, I'll be sure to include them in future updates to bolster your attendance.

April Events

I would love to see more opportunities for the east and south of the Kingdom, so please get in touch if you know of any (or are willing to host a tasting table).

Brewing and Bacon Bash XI

April 4, 2026, Utica Pennsylvania

Let the brewers step forward and uncork their finest works!

Brewers’ competition! Ales, meads, ciders, and mysterious concoctions from distant cellars are welcome. For what is battle without good drink, and what is good drink without good company?

In addition, there will be a brewer’s prize provided by the Shire to competitors by populace vote for beer/ale, cider, and wine/mead. Voting will begin at Noon and end at 3pm.

Keep an eye on the Facebook event page!

Spring Coronation

April 11, 2026, Hookstown, PA

There is no alcohol permitted in the Grange Hall, however the fairgrounds themselves are discreetly damp. If you would like to host a tasting table, get in touch!

Kingdom Brewing Championship at Blackstone Raid

April 23-26, 2026, Gandeeville, WV

THL Kumagaya Kentarou Masamoto will lead this year's championship format. More information forthcoming. Honor our royalty with your participation!

Future Events

These are several weeks out, but ones you should know about so that you can prepare your drinks and documentation! Once dates and times are finalized, the Guild will share the information.

Brewers Roundtable at War Practice

April 4, 2026, Utica Pennsylvania

Graciously hosted by Master Emrys (known as Broom), this will be a more formal taste, test, and teach event. Bring your beverages for evaluation, your questions for solutions, and your wisdom to share!

Period Brewing Roundtable at Pennsic

July 24-August 9, Slippery Rock, PA

Get properly period about your brewing! This roundtable, hosted by Master Emrys and the Brewers Guild, will focus on the period aspect of our brewer's beverages. If you need some ideas about period brews, take a look at the current (and future) Beverage of the Month suggestions! The Guild's site also has a list of period resources for you to peruse.

The Brewers Guild A/B Challenge at Pennsic

July 24-August 9, Slippery Rock, PA

Share your A/B Challenge results with other brewers!

Æthelmearc Pennsic Bar

A now-familiar sight at Æthelmearc Royal, the bar will be able to accept kegs this year, thanks to our new Chamberlain, Barron Rauþbjorn Loþbroke. We will also accept donations for the bar as we have in the past, as well as volunteers to once again make the Æthelmearc bar the envy of the known world.

If you have interest in the Chamberlain position, but lack experience, reach out to the Guildmaster! Become an apprentice at Pennsic and learn the ropes so that you can step in to be a future Chamberlain!

Æthelmearc Hospitality Request

Æthelmearc hospitality wants to offer more sekanjabin to refresh the populace at Pennsic this summer. They would like to have 15 gallons of syrup for the ten days that the Royal encampment is set up.

The Debatable Lands brewers have already offered to contribute five gallons to Hospitality. If you make sekanjabin, or know of someone who does, and would like to contribute some syrup to Æ Hospitality at Pennsic this year, please contact Muirgheal Inghean Dubhghaill for more information, and to let them know you'll participate.