Hey, a few times a year, a bunch of my medieval re-enactor friends get together for a few banquets or training weekends, and usually annoy me for a special brew to mark the occasion.
Usually I do an interesting mead (80 litres of sparkling black pepper & cinnamon blackberry mead went down well last year) for them. This winter, I really don't have the time.
I was wondering; are there any brewers out there with licences that could contract-brew up a braggot or a wintery ale that'd be suitable for a bunch of 50 or 100 re-enactors ? How could it be delivered, assuming that said brewer would be as annoyed with filling bottles as I am, given these guys would likely drink it from cattle troughs, if it was tasty enough.
A sort of aside question...is there anyone near Dublin that would be willing to apprentice a beginner like me in brewing ? Are there small breweries that can be rented around the country ? My current habit of using space in friends houses in exchange for a percentage of the brew isn't working out too well.
Actually, one last one; anyone know wine cellars that one can rent space in ? I've made some meads that I *know* should be aged. Keeping them in the coldest part of the house or the attic just isn't on...sometimes I just wish I could give someone a few quid and say 'Put those 48 bottles somewhere cool, I'll collect them in 5 years..'.
John
