Mead of the Mountains

The Mead of the Mountains is a book located within the library of Mol Boramm.

## Description

One of many books written by the legendary Atral chef Abelard-Claude Vasseur, Mead of the Mountains seems to be an appendix tome associated with the eleventh book in his "The Definitive Guide to Cuisine" series, dedicated to the food of Mol Boramm. Mead of the Mountains goes into further detail regarding the breweries of the Illustrious City.

## Research

### Completed by Ignatius Saurwind

*As discussed within the accompanying tome, Mol Borammian cuisine on the whole is more varied than one might first assume, given the city's subterranean residency. Despite advancements in the consistency and efficiency of growing techniques that utilise arcane light in place of natural sunlight, much of the residents still rely at least in part on imports from surrounding Realms, and the three main beverages exported from the Realm are no different.*

#### *Bitterhoard Porter*

*Created by Clan Bitterhoard, this well-hopped beer was most popular amongst street and tunnel porters after it was first brewed, granting the drink its name. A dark beer, it is traditional created through use of a pale malt gently warmed by placing it within shallow trays along the proximity of the numerous forges found throughout the city. Comparable in strength to some sweet wines, the alcohol content of Bitterhoard Porter has been heavily regulated over the years, with many imitation products trying and failing to emulate its strength. The most commonly reports flavours are that of burned sugar with notes of cloves and smoked ash-wood.*

#### *Hophammer Ale*

*The most popular beverage created within the halls of Mol Boramm, Clan Hophammer first formulated the mixture just a few years after Aita's Second Gift, but the brewing rights have been held by the Trading Guild of Dûnhark for the last few hundred years, following an acquisition resulting from a lack of malt availability during the Year of the Creeping Blight. Two varieties exist, the first of which was a so-called "small beer" version in which the trace quantities of alcohol more readily act as a preservative, providing nutrition and hydration without intoxicating effects. It is estimated that historically some two-thirds of the daily caloric intake of the majority of the city's residents comes from the small beer variety of Hophammer Ale, with it remaining a large portion to this day. The second variety, a more traditional alcoholic ale possesses a nutty taste with fruity afternotes similar to apple, plum and prune, and is exported in vast quantity by the Dûnhark Guild.*

#### *Silverkil Dry Stout*

*A mix parti-gyled through blending of worts from multiple sparges to build the depth of the brew, Silverkil Dry Stout is a dark porter beer that takes the Bitterhoard process of toasting malt a step further to intensify the flavour beyond that achievable otherwise. Utilising purpose-made kilns connecting to the outflow of the city's forges, the trays of malt are baked to point of carbonisation, after which they are used for the production process alongside hops, yeast and water - and an additional measure of oatmeal. Thick and dark, its cloying bitterness is considered unappealing by most, but this has only bolstered its popularity due to campaigns instilling a sense of masculinity associated with those capable of palating the drink. The consumption of Silverkil Dry Stout is immortalised in the tavern song "Pitcher, Cask, Wagon."*

*"Pass over a Pitcher, a Cask, a Wagon,*

*Let bravery and brawn never be in doubt,*

*On the tap flows as true men grow bold,*

*Never say no to Silverkil Stout!*

*Though beast and babe grow in thirst,*

*Sorrowful in folly with Highreign drought,*

*All true men clasp a flagon high,*

*And quench themselves with Silverkil Stout!"*