Harvest Raid Report
Submitted by Elska a Fjarfelli
This year, the Aethelmearc Brewers Guild held a round table in the cozy fireplace room at Harvest Raid 2025. While we had only three brewers bring brews to sample, one of these brought a flight of different varieties. More than enough to warm our bellies, and peak our interest!
Abdullah al- Rashid brought one of his famous wines, a Concord grape wine, where he processed, pressed, fermented, and tinkered with the brew until it was just right. There was zero leftover after the meeting. I brought the very last bottle of my Pennsic washed comb mead.
Master of Arms John the Pell has served "Pellua" -- a coffee liqueur -- for many years at his 4 o'clock Pennsic tea time. He prepares the coffee liquor months in advance, and has had years of testing to come to the version he likes best. And he loves sharing his recipe. Hit him up next time you see him!
And as part of rehoming the brewing collection of bottles, wine racks, and other equipment, Dagonell helped out some new, and some experienced, brewers. I myself can't wait to try out the new-to-me wine bottle corker!
Hope to see you all at the next tasting event.
Elska
Upcoming events
East Kingdom Brewers Collegium (aka Brew U) (October 17-19, East Kingdom)
Peekskille, NY
Normally Brew U happens in the spring in Vermont but this year you can attend it in Peekskille, NY which makes it a prime opportunity for an Æthelmearc invasion! A weekend of classes, tastings, and all things brewing -- what's not to like? I will be offering a honey tasting class, with a possible opportunity to compare resulting meads from my own honey harvests.
Agincourt XVIII (October 25, Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands)
Rochester, PA
Baron Alaric will host an informal tasting of beverages from 2:15pm until around 4pm. This will be an opportunity to sample tasty concoctions created by members of the populace. Please bring something along if you would like to contribute and if you would like to sample come and join us! Also, a great opportunity to discuss things related to beverage creation!
Setup will start after the last class finishes at 2pm and we'll start the tasting at 2:15pm.
Guild Opportunity
Guild Chamberlain
Jean Philippe dit la Barbe Rousse has managed the equipment for the Pennsic bar, and would like to pass the torch to another individual. Jean Philippe will train his successor, and stand by for assistance if needed. From Jean Philippe:
Hello all! I have served as the Brewers guild chamberlain for the last 4 Pennsics and I would like to pass on the honor to the next good gentle willing to take on the role. We have organized the equipment and have on site storage for War Practice and Pennsic so it far easier now. The one thing I will say I am NOT a brewer and i would encourage non-brewers to consider doing the job. It’s a great way to meet a lot of cool people and help support the brewing community. I can truly say that filling this role for the last 4 years have been amazing and you will too!
What the chamberlain currently does:
-- take home the jockey box, carbon dioxide tanks, and regulator
-- flush the hoses with sanitizing solution, water, then gas
-- bring CO2 tanks (full) back to Pennsic next year
-- help with on-site setup of the infrastructure (the Guild has equipment stored in a trailer at Coopers Lake)
Jean-Philippe will provide training, so you don't need previous experience to volunteer. Note that expenses (like filling the CO2 tank) are reimbursed by the guild.
If you're interested in taking on this responsibility, please email the Guildmaster! Without the vital role the Chamberlain provides, we cannot offer anything "on tap" at the Royal Bar.
Beverage of the Month
For those of you who are interested in contributing to the Beverage of the Month (and I know you're out there!), there is no specific template to follow. Just send me a write-up about your beverage, and a recipe if you have one!
As always, If your event isn't listed here, let me know about it!
YIS
Meadhbh inghean Ui Chlérigh
Guildmaster