It's the Water!

Writers: Eimi
Date Posted: 13th July 2008

Characters: Daigoro
Description: Daigoro recieves some very good news
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 10, day 17 of Turn 4

It was all Daigoro could do not to pace back and forth in front of his window for the next candlemark. He tried to busy himself reading apprentice recruitment reports and picking at the food his wife sent up for his lunch, but his eyes were always drawn to the window. Every knock on his door made him jump with excitement, only to be handed a piece of paper, or asked a question, or offered tea. It was all he could do not to snap at the barer. When would those sharding runner get there? They had been spied at the mouth of the canyon road nearly a candlemark before.

He was just about at his wit's end when there was another knock at the door. "Sir?"

"Jaste," the Hallsecond said, rising to his feet in hopeful anticipation. "What is it?"

"Master Seaney and Master Haidoro have arrived and they were wondering if you would like your report now or wait until after the evening meal."

"I'm coming now," Daigoro quickly answered and before the journeyman had a chance to respond the brewer was on his way out the door.

"Masters," he grinned as he met them at the bottom of the step. "I have been waiting most impatiently for your return. I heard you brought me back some barrels?"

"Yes, sir. Well, small kegs, really. Just a taste of what White Wall Hold has to offer," Seaney said, looking Master Haidoro with a conspiratorial smile.

"Please, show me." Daigoro indicating the men should lead the way to the tasting table that had been set up for them. "Was it everything we had hoped for gentlemen?" "More than you hoped for, Master Daigoro," Haidoro answered, as excited as Master Seaney at the news they had to tell.

"More?" The Hallsecond prompted. "How much more?"

"Well," Seaney said, knowing he couldn't delay telling their news much longer, "It seems we have found the perfect location for a new brewery, Daigoro. One that would make any brewer drool with absolute envy."

Daigoro's eyes sparkled with excitement, though he tried to curb his enthusiasm. The Master might be exaggerating. "How so?"

"I think our geologist friend can best answer that for you," Seaney answered, nodding to Haidoro to pick up the story.

"All right," Haidoro nodded as they stepped up to the table. Two glasses of bright, clear water were already poured and ready for tasting. "You were right about the springs, Daigoro. They're not just any ground water. They're artesian wells - underground aquifers trapped between layers of limestone which are fed by the spring thaws high up in the mountains. They're clean and cold and the waters are as soft as I've seen." He pointed to the first glass and indicated the the Hallsecond should try.

Seaney nodded his agreement. "Taste it, Daigoro. Even as it's been sitting in a barrel the last couple days you will be able to taste the difference."

Daigoro lifted the glass to his lips and took a sip as if tasting some fine wine. He swished it around his mouth scrutinizing it for any subtle difference in flavors that minerals might bring. Finally he swallowed and an appreciative smile spread across his face. "Yes. Yes!" he exclaimed, giving his fellow brewer a clout on the shoulder. It was exactly what he had been hoping for! "That will make a fine lager, I warrant. Much better than using just the river water." Though the water that served both the Hall and Hold was clean and adequate for making mass produced ales, it would never make a premium beer. "Ah, but as I said, there's more," Haidoro reminded him, lifting a finger and pointing to the second glass. "It seems that in the regions past, this whole area was once under water. That's no big surprise, of course. But, what seems to have happened is that the area around White Wall Hold was once a beach covered in sand dunes, hence the sandstone layers. As the waters rose, however, the ocean covered the area and brought with it marine life. As those creatures died and as the waters receded, a layer of limestone was deposited on top of that beach. Over millions of turns as those layers were buckled and lifted, a valley was created at White Wall. Those layers were bowed, forming almost a bowl, if you will, in which the groundwater could pool, thus creating your artesian wells with soft water. However, on top of all that, erosion exposed the layer of limestone from which the area derives it's name, and also through which cuts the Hold's nearby river. The limestone adds calcium carbonate to the water, thereby creating what we call hard water."

"In other words, Daigoro," Seaney said with a pleased grin, "we found a Hold that not only has a local source of hops within a stones throw distance, but also one with both hard and soft water perfect for brewing both premium light and dark beers."

"I could kiss you, Seaney. And you too Haidoro," Daigoro said clapping his large paws together with glee. "It is, as you say, more than I hoped for. I will certainly be taking this to the Hallmaster as soon as possible. It might take some convincing to gather the marks needed to set up such a venture, but I will certainly make him see the value in it. Premium wines can take turns to perfect, but a good brewery can start bottling up premium beers in a matter of months." And unlike wine, beer was not dependant on the harvest season. As long as the hops held out they could produce the whole turn round.

"And maybe us brewers might start getting a bit more respect around here, eh?" his fellow brewer said with a knowing grin.

"I'll drink to that," the Hallseond smiled, lifting a glass of water in salute.

Last updated on the July 14th 2008

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It's the Water!