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Of Guilds and Rankings

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David Baldwin

NewBee
Registered Member
Jun 29, 2004
860
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Grand Rapids, MI
As a former SCA'dian, I've been trying to delve into the brewing guilds and their rankings from apprentice through master brewer.

It seems that a lot of the web links on the subject are dead, so it's taking some doing to track down some quantifiable info.

From the web page of the Barony of Caer Anterth Mawr
http://www.caeranterth.org/guilds/b_v.html

Ranks:

Apprentice: Any person who is interested in the study of Brews and Wines shall be eligible to bear the rank of Apprentice Brewer or Vintner.

Fellowcraft: Must have some progress achieved in being able to appreciate the Brews and Wines of the World, have the ability to distinguish good from bad, and have produced at least one wine or beer of good quality.

Master: Must be able to produce a palatable Wine or Brew continually, must be able to select a proper Wine or Brew for a dish or event to the satisfaction of the Guildmaster, must be willing to teach the craft, and must be able to create a recipe for Wine or Beer.


From: The Gwyntarian Tunner's Guild
http://web.raex.com/~obsidian/tunner.html

SECTION FOUR: There shall be established a ranking system within the Guild, conforming to the Kingdom system already in place. This is based on recognition of an individual who has scored a certain level of points at three different local competitions as a Journeyman, and one who has scored a certain number of points at three different Kingdom-level events as a Master. These recognitions are repeated for each of three different categories; Beers, Wines, and Specialties. There needs to be a very detailed discussion about what criteria would be used for such recognition, but the basic idea is an important one. Along side this topic, it may be noted that the Guild intends to develop standards in more categories than the Kingdom recognizes as "Brewing and Vinting", since the Guild covers more ground than the strict A+S definitions: to wit, we also deal with non- alcoholic preparations and herbal preparations.


And here follows a link to the Eastern Kingdom Brewers Guild ranking system:
http://www.eastkingdom.org/ekbg/ranks.htm

Hope this helps. I'll add more as I uncover it.

David
 
Here's a lenghty excerpt from the Atenvelt Brewers Guild Manual.
http://www.atenbrewers.info/documents/atenbrewersguide4.pdf

Organization:
The Guild shall have a dual system of membership and organization.
First, any citizen of Atenveldt who expresses and interest in the various arts and
artifices of the brewers, may declare him/herself a "scholar of the guild. " One may retain the
title of " Scholar " in perpetuity, however, should one wish to seek promotion within a more
traditional medieval guild structure, there shall exist the rank of apprentice, journeyman, and
master and Grandmaster of the guild. The requirements of each rank will be as follows.
1. Apprentice:
Any Scholar of the guild who shall declare in writing his/her intention to study the brewer’s arts
under the tutelage of a journeyman or (preferably) a Master shall be named an apprentice brewer.
Apprenticeships shall last not less than one nor more than three calendar years.
2. Journeyman:
An Apprentice brewer may make application to his/her Master, requesting advancement to the
status of Journeyman Brewer upon completion of the following criteria:
A. Minimum one year as an Apprentice.
B. Chivalrous and Honorable practice, (as determined by the Master)
C. Manufacture of at least one batch each of the following:
a. Malt Beverage (Beer, Ale, Barley wine, Etc.)
b. Mead
c. Fruit wine or hard cider
d. Liqueur
D. Participation in at least one regional level event as a supplier and/or Pub-o-crat.
5
Atenveldt Brewers Guild
Brewers Handbook
E. Participation in at least one regional level or above, arts and sciences competition, with each
product; in which the apprentices products have been impartially judged and found to be at
least palatable. (Drinkable)
F. Intermediate level of knowledge.
a. Brewing sanitation and common sources of contamination, spoilage.
b. The chemistry of fermentation as it relates to brewing, wine making, and Mead making.
c. Various styles of beer, wine, mead, and liqueur and their characteristics.
Upon satisfaction of these criteria, the Master shall advise the Council of Masters, Who shall then
issue a certificate of advancement to the rank of Journeyman Brewer.
Journeyman status shall be for a minimum of one year. There is no upward limit to the time a
Journeyman's certificate shall remain in force.
3. Craftsmaster:
Positioned between Journeyman and Master Brewer ranks.
Requirements:
A. Minimum one year as a Journeyman.
B. Chivalrous and Honorable practice (as determined by the Master).
C. Participation in at least one regional or Kingdom level competition as a judge.
D. Participation as a Teacher at at least one regional or Kingdom level collegiums or other
teaching event.
E. Specialization in one or more of the following areas:
a. Malt beverage (beer, ale, barley wine, etc.)
b. Mead
c. Wine or Hard Cider
d. Liqueur
F. Demonstration of the intimate familiarity with their specialty:
a. Characteristics of the major Beer Styles or,
b. Characteristics of major wine and Mead styles, or
c. History, characteristics and significance of their specialization beverage.
d. Criteria for judging beverages.
e. Advanced chemistry of brewing and fermentation as relates to their
specialization.
4. Master:
A Journeyman Brewer may be advanced to the status of Master Brewer upon
recommendation of his/her Master and upon meeting the following criteria:
A. Minimum one year as a Journeyman.
B. Chivalrous and Honorable practice. (Again as determined by the Master.)
C. Competition in at least one regional or Kingdom (or interkingdom} level arts and sciences with
one each of the following:
6
Atenveldt Brewers Guild
Brewers Handbook
a. Malt beverage (Beer, Ale, Barley wine, Etc,)
b. Mead
c. Wine or Hard Cider
d. Liqueur
D. Participation in at least one regional or Kingdom level competition as a judge.
E. Participation as a Teacher at; at least one Regional or Kingdom level Collegiums or other
teaching event.
F. Demonstrations of intimate familiarity with:
e. Characteristics of major Beer styles.
f. Characteristics of major wine and Mead styles.
g. History and significance of various beverages.
h. Criteria for judging Beverages. Advanced chemistry of brewing
and fermentation.
5. Council of Masters:
ALL Master Brewers of Atenveldt will collectively form the "Council of Masters " which
will:
A. Serve as a governing body of the Guild.
B. Elect the Grand Master.
C. Vote on each application for advancement to the rank of Master.
D. Serve as a counselors and advisors to the Grandmaster.
6. Grandmaster:
The Council of Masters will elect one of its members to serve as "Grandmaster of the Guild. "
This individual will serve a term of two years, and may be reelected for an unlimited number of
terms, if his/her peers so desire. Duties of the Grandmaster are as follows:
A. To serve as Grandmaster.
B. To report on Guild activities to the Crown and to the Kingdom Arts. And Sciences Minister on
a quarterly basis.
C. To serve as advisor to the Crown on all matters concerning brewing.
D. To ensure that guild members of all ranks adhere to the rules of the guild and uphold at all
times the highest standards, both technically and as regards to honor and chivalry.
7. Former Grandmasters:
All who have held the title of Grandmaster will be referred to as "Grandmaster Emeritus." This
carries no Precedence or authority, but is simply a title of respect.
 
Another Guild charter, and the requirements for advancement.

CHARTER OF THE
ANDELCRAG
MEADE
BREWERS
GUILD

The goal of this guild is to promote the brewing of Meade, Cyser, Melomel, Pyment, Methiglyn, and all other honey based brews in the Barony of Andelcrag.

As other goals, this guild will support the exploration into all forms of zymurgy, the research for better and easier formula for the brewing arts, the production of ample amounts of meade ect. for the judging at baronial events (Border Wars, Pennsic War, Winter Revel etc.).

As a final goal: To promote the fraternatie and Bon Homie that is our birthright as Brewers.

The Guild will work within the Laws of both State and Federal legislation, to restrict access to these beverages to those who have not of attained the legal age of consumption. Federal Laws requires all homebrewed Ales to be created by those of 18 years or older, and the creation of Cider, Wine and Mead to anyone of any age so long as the beverage is made at their residence and is consumed in that residence.

The officers of the Guild are as follows.

Guild Master, Assistant Guild Master and when needed a Treasurer.

The duties of the officers are as follows:

Guild Master:
A brewer shall be called forth from the ranks of Master brewers to serve as figurehead and spokesman of the Guild
by a greater vote of Master brewers. The Guild Master may speak at guild meetings and may vote in any greater or
lessor calls of the roll. The Guild Master has the authority to break any ties in any votes. Also the Guild Master is
responsible for running/organizing events and to located varied sources of honeys. The Guild Master will create a
Document of all Known Guild recipes.

Assistant Guild Master:
A brewer shall be called forth from the ranks of brewers to serve as the Assistant Guild Master in the Guild Masters
absence.

Treasurer:
The Treasurer will disperse funds and maintain books of account. The Treasurer will report monthly to the Guild Master
or Assistant Guild Master, and on demand to the assembled guild.

The officers listed above will be subject to a mandatory annual review and a greater call of the rolls to confirm the
continued performance of Guild Officers. Lack of a confirmation will result in replacement. At any time a Lessor call
of the rolls can be to show a vote of no confidence for any officer. A new Officer will be selected by a lessor call of
the rolls and confirmed by a greater call of the rolls in the case of Guild Master or Assistant Guild Master. In the case
of Treasurer, the Guild Master nominates an appointee, which is confirmed by greater call of the rolls.

Ranking:

There shall be five separate ranking within the guild; Student, Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master.

Student:
The brewer shall attain the ranking of Student Brewer upon the request of information of the brewing of Meades ect
and show interest in joining the guild. This brewer may style themselves "Student Guild Brewer of Andelcrag" and may
speak at guild meetings. A Student Brewer may not vote in any calls of the roll.

Apprentice:
The Brewer shall attain the Ranking of Apprentice Brewer upon the submission of Five Gallons of Meade ect to three
Journeymen of the Guild for judgement. Upon the judging of this meade to be of drinkable Quality, this brewer may
style themselves an "Apprentice Guild Brewer of Andelcrag" and may speak at Guild meetings and may vote in any
lesser calls of the roll. The meade so submitted will be passed on to the populace and guests of the Barony. Any
one coming into the Guild from other regions will be awarded the title of Apprentice.

Journeyman:
The brewer shall attain the ranking of Journeyman Brewer upon the submission of fifteen gallons of meade ect to three
Masters of the Guild for judgement. Upon the judging of the meade to be of superior quality, this brewer may style
themselves "journeyman Guild Brewer of Andelcrag" and may speak at guild meetings and may vote in any lesser call
of the roll. The meade so submitted will be passed to the populace and guests of the Barony.

Master:
The brewer shall attain the ranking of Master brewer upon the submission of a Master piece of Brewers art to three
Journeymen of the Guild for judgement, and with entry into any Arts and Science competition. Upon judging by the
Journeymen that this work is unique and enlightening, and with confirmation of the A&S entry, this Brewer may style
themselves "Master Guild Brewer of Andelcrag" and may speak at guild meetings and may vote in any greater or lessor
calls of the roll. This brewer shall be heralded through out the Barony as a Brewer of Renown. Those brewers founding
this guild shall be assigned the ranking of Master Brewer.

The guild will require paid dues of 1$ per annum from each Journeyman and Master brewer. This money is to offset any
postage and miscellaneous expenses incurred whilst running the guild. The Guild funds will be held by the Baronial
Exchequer.

The Charter is subject to revision at any time. The procedure for Charter revision is that any proposition must be given
to the Guild Master for review and approval. The Guild Master should take action within 3 months of receipt, by either
returning the proposition to the originator with suggested corrections, or forwarded to be voted on by a greater call
of the rolls. All Charter changes must be passed with a 75% or greater favorable vote.

All Journeymen and Master Brewers must enter one of their creations into the Regional competition bi-annually.
The entry need not win or meet any other criteria, The only criteria required by the Guild is that a entry must be
made and it must be presented as being created by a Guild member. Failure to submit a bi-annual entry is the
censure of one Guild Rank.
 
David,

This is great information! You're a virtual SCA mead resource machine. Thanks so much for all the great information and links. There's a lot of interesting stuff in the levels and promotion from one to the next level of expertise.

I think this really helps me put into perspective what the different kingdoms consider in their requirements for advancement, and well as qualifications for each level. This is a great resource, and I thank you for your research and posts.

Cheers,

Oskaar
 
Better to find nothing, then a local brewing guild who basicly tells you "This never took off" and leaves it at that. Now if the Baron would just get back to me maybe I can get something going.
 
The Brewer's Guild out in Calontir (SCA) is basically dead. Nothing more than a mailing list that sees a post two or three times a year when they solicit entries for the Calontir event (Lillies War) or donations for the parties or royalty. There are some good brewers out here and a few classes get taught but there is no comradery or unity of purpose. It's why I am becoming a ward to a brewing household in the East Kingdom.
 
The sad part is that I might be out of things to brew, before I qualify as a Novice.

But that is ok, because my Nearest Branch is over an hour away :(

That is what I get for Living in BFE

Jim
 
But that is ok, because there are no brewing clubs at all around here, SCA or otherwise. I think I am the only brewer around here for 50 miles in all directions :(
 
The benefit of being the only brewer for 50 miles around is that people will quickly realize how good homebrewed mead, beer, and wine are. Some of them might even want to learn brewing from you. ;D

Donal
mka: Brian K
 
Here is a list I compiled over a year ago after I helped teach a couple mead brewing classes at the 05 Estrella War.

I was very surprised at the number of people from all over the country that was there. many asked the same question. "where can I get help on brewing back home in...?" We had no clue what to tell most of them since many were from parts of kingdoms we had never heard of before. After that I spent a couple nights checking every kingdom, Baroney and shire website I could dig up for gild information. there really was more than I thought there would be but not nearly as much as I had hopped there would. this list is what I came up with that night with a couple additions since then.


I hope this helps. if anyone has any information or corrections to add to this list please feel free to post it so I can update this list.






Kingdom Of Atenveldt
Kingdom of Atenveldt Brewer's Guild
http://www.atenbrewers.info/

Kingdom of Caid
The Right Noble Brewer's Guild of Caid
http://brewers.sca-caid.org/index.htm

Barony of Dun Or guilds
http://www.dunor.org/commons/guilds/

The Shire of Heatherwyne
Heatherwyne Brewer's Guild
http://www.sca-caid.org/heatherwyne/Guilds/brew.html

Shire of Darach
Brewers guild
http://www.darachshire.org/regnum.cfm#brewers

Kingdom of Calontir Brewers Guild
Calontir Brewer's guild
http://www.geocities.com/calontirbrewersguild/

- Barony of Forgotten Sea's Brewer's Guild
http://forgottensea.org/brewersguil

- - BoFS, Canton of Aston Tor, Shire of Cum An Iolair, His Excellency Modar's Brewing page
http://www2.kumc.edu/itc/staff/rknight/brewing.htm

- - Medieval Brewers Home Page
http://www.geocities.com/medievalbrewers/


Kingdom of Ansteorra,
The Barony of Bryn Gwlad
Brewer's guild
http://www.pug.net/


Kingdom of Atlantia's
Kinddom of Atlantia's Brewer's Guild
http://www.brew4spike.org/
- Many Brewing related links
http://moas.atlantia.sca.org/topics/brew.htm

Barony of Stierbach
The Smiling Stier Brewers' Guild
http://www.stierbach.org/brew/

The Sylvan Kingdom of AEthelmearc
AEthelmearc Brewer's Guild
http://lemur.cit.cornell.edu/~jules/SCA/Brewers_Guild.html

Barony Marche of the Debatable lands (Greater Pittsburgh, PA)
Debatable Brewer's Guild
http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~pwp/tofi/bmdl_brewers/index.html

Barony of the Rhydderich Hael, (Buffalo, NY)
Brewer's Guild of the Barony of the Rydderrich Hael
http://www.buffnet.net/~caleb/brewsched.htm

Shire of Sterlynge Vayle Brewer's Guild (Binghamton, NY)
http://www.sterlyngevayle.org/brewersguild/index.htm

The East Kingdom
The East Kingdoms Brewer's Guild. AKA The Ancient and Venerable Order of Brewer's, Vintner's, and Meadmakers of the East Kingdom
http://www.eastkingdom.org/ekbg/

Kindom of Trimaris

Shire of Castlemere
Dragon's Breath Brewer's Guild
http://users.fdn.com/~boris/dbreath/

Kingdom Of the West
Kingdom of the West Brewer's Guild
http://www.caerdarth.org/brewing/index.htm
http://www.westkingdom.org/AandS/brewers.html

- Princeipality Of The Mist
Princeipality of the Mist Brewer's Guild
http://www.angelfire.com/ca5/tbaldacci/mistsbrew.html

Kingdom Of The Outlands

-Barony of Dragonsspine
Guild of Brewer's and Spirit Makers
http://home.pcisys.net/~ronkrob/brewer.htm

The Barony of the Citadel of the Southern Pass
Seeker's of the Bottomless Tankard. (brewer's guild)
Outlands Brewer's Guild
http://www.scaelpaso.org/arts.html

Yahoo! Groups OutlandsBrewers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OutlandsBrewers/


Kingdom of An Tir
Mad Brewer's Guild
http://www.nwlink.com/~badger/madbrew.html

Barony or Dragon's Laire
Barony or Dragon's Laire Culinary And Spirit Makers Guild
http://kendaco.telebyte.net/~mhenson/3.html

The Midrealm

-Barony of Brendoken
-Marche Of Gwyntarian
Gwyntarian Tunner's Guild
http://web.raex.com/~obsidian/tunner.html

-The Barony of Caer Anterth Mar
The Honorable Build of Brewer's and Vintners of Caer Anterth
http://my.execpc.com/~maclaird/guilds/b_v.html
redirects you to

The Barony of Caer Anterth Mar home page
http://caeranterth.northshield.org/
Guild info can be found at
http://caeranterth.northshield.org/Guilds/b-v.html

Barony of the Cleftlands
The Brewers and Vinters of the Barony of the Cleftlands
http://cleftlands.cwru.edu/directory/group.asp?id=60




Medieval/Renaissance Brweing Homepage
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/brewing.html

Cindy Renfrow - Culinary & Brewing History links http://members.aol.com/renfrowcm/links.html#Brewing

More brewing links http://www.chainmailleboard.com/link/foodlinks.htm

Inter Kingdom Brewers guild http://www.greydragon.org/ikbg/index.html
 
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