Black Ale

"Ahh, the Black Ale of Tern. What can I say, you take all the ingredients a master ale craftsman is familiar with away and put them underground for hundreds of years and magic happens. I don't know what they did, I don't know where they get their materials, but I don't leave on an expedition without at least one barrel in the hold. Just for me. "

Taryn Wanderfoot

Pouring a pint of Black ale yields a glass of ebony dark but noticeably opaque liquid and a creamy tan-colored head. The opaqueness of the brew is from its unfiltered nature leaving behind a cloudy appearance of dissolved grain. Hints of chocolate and smokiness is backed by a heavy grainy and earthy aroma. Black ale has a very low bitterness due to the rarity of bittering hops from the surface but boasts a very filling mouthfeel due to the copious quantity of oats used in the mash. Oats were the base of this brew as they were routinely brought underground into Tern to serve as animal feed and were available for brewing. However, the dark color comes from a dose of dark roasted malt and a few other unconventional ingredients available in Tern. Is that a hint of mushroom providing a dark earthy flavor? The recipe is a well-guarded secret and it is often speculated that Stoutbrow used more than grain and hops to create this addictive brew.

History

In the history of Dane, Tern was well-known for many things, one of which was its ale. The soil in Tern that was good for growing grains was sparse but rich, creating many uniquely flavored grains. Some of the dwarven families of Tern became master ale craftsmen. Shipping artisan ales all across Dane. These skills were passed down from generation to generation until disaster struck, the Frost Wood. When the Clan went underground to save its people many of the master brewing families were forced to make a decision. They had to either abandon their homelands to continue their craft, or stick with their clan likely abandoning their craft and heritage. The Frothbeards ended up in settling in Runefield and were able to continue their craft while some who left were still forced to find new trades. Of the families that stayed there was a struggle to maintain their craft. Most ended up abandoning artisan brewing for more functional ale. People still needed clean safe drinks underground.

Eventually Voniggs Stoutbrow came of age and learned the family business. He had a unique perspective and spending the first few years traveling throughout Tern and sampling the different types of produce that Tern had to offer. On his return, the family took what he had gathered and after a few failed attempts created the Famous Black Ale.

Famous Ale from the Kingdom of Tern.

Type

Biomaterial

Color

Black

Common State

Liquid