Thomas Fahber
Beer in Altdorf
One of the most common beverages in the Empire is beer. In the old times the most common place of manufacture was in the homes of farmers and others with ready access to the basic ingredients water, barley and hops. During the last hundred years or so this tradition has changed, and as the cities of the Empire grow the process of brewing beer changes. Now it is far more common to find larger breweries in the cities delivering beer to nearby inns and taverns, or innkeepers with the necessary skills brewing their own beer. There are over a thousand dedicated breweries in the Empire, and a dozen in Altdorf.
One of the major changes to the brewing of beers was the Reinheitsgebot, passed by Emperor Luitpold in 2499 in celebration of his enlightened rule and the coming decennium. The new controversial purity law dictated that beer must be made up of water, barley and hops and no other ingredients and quickly divided the Empire in two schools of thought; urban and rural. In the countryside the law is considered a dictatorial whim of the ruling elite, whereas people in the cities embrace it as an important step in the development of the art of brewing beer.
One of the major changes to the brewing of beers was the Reinheitsgebot, passed by Emperor Luitpold in 2499 in celebration of his enlightened rule and the coming decennium. The new controversial purity law dictated that beer must be made up of water, barley and hops and no other ingredients and quickly divided the Empire in two schools of thought; urban and rural. In the countryside the law is considered a dictatorial whim of the ruling elite, whereas people in the cities embrace it as an important step in the development of the art of brewing beer.
Some of the secrets of the dwarfs have been revealed to the Imperial beer makers, but much of the dwarfish knowledge of the process of brewing beer is a closely guarded secret. Even though I have made enquiries with the dwarfen community I have been met solely by silence laced with hostility. Suffice it to say that true dwarfish beer is only served in the dwarfish taverns in Altdorf.
There are a variety of different styles of beer in the Empire and in Altdorf. Some of the most famous are of course the Bugman varieties, Seamu’s Lager, Korben’s Finest and Keigel’s Natural Pig Swill but the most popular brands in the capital are Burgomeister’s Brew (a pale, light-bodied, top-fermented beer), Altdorfer Alt (dark amber, hoppy), Imperial Stout (which is imported from the Moot), Altdorfer Weisse (pale, very sour, top-fermented wheat beer), Dunkel Schwarzbier (bottom-fermented, dark lager), Wissenland Hefeweizen (creamy texture and sweet flavour), Marienburger Alt (clean, crisp flavour), Kaiser Franz Märzen (malty flavor balance, an amber range of colour) and Border Princes Lager (bottom-fermented and very dark). The alcohol content is usually between 5% and 6% for most traditional brews, but some brands (most notably Dunkel Schwarzbier) have an alcohol content of up to 15%, making them stronger than many wines.
Adolphus Altdorfer
Festag, Nachexen 12, 2522 IC
Regarding NPCs
There is much hidden beneath the surface of Altdorf. Many people are not what they seem to be, and something is amiss in the capital. Maybe it is fear of the Storm of Chaos that haunts us and turns our thoughts to survival … towards betrayal. “Save me … save me, but take the rest” seems to be the prevailing theme that rears its ugly head late at night when the wretched gather over a tankard of beer or a glass of sherry. We all have our secrets and maybe, just maybe this will be our downfall. For who knows which hand holds the dagger, and who knows when the blow will fall … all I know is that The Enemy Within will be our downfall. Tomorrow, next week or next year. It will be our downfall!
Adolphus Altdorfer
Konistag, Nachexen 10, 2522 IC
When I add NPCs to the blog I expand the gallery of potential allies for the characters. But it is important to also note that almost every NPC can instead become an enemy. Even though nothing tangible is mentioned regarding this in the descriptions of the NPCs so far, of those presented three are liaised with the Chaos Lords or the Skaven Vermin in my campaign. For my style of play this is something subtle, something that lurks in the background only to be discovered after the characters have formed a connection to a person. Only then is it possible to shock and surprise the players. If everyone is an obvious cultist, then much of what makes WFRP my favourite game is lost.
So who are the culprits? Well except for Old Hattie it’s up to you to decide for now. I will reveal more about the shadier dealings of my supporting cast as my blog continues, but remember one thing; just because they are bad people does not necessarily mean that they are allied with the Chaos Storm …
Well, at least not knowingly allied, that is.
/Magnus