I still have none of the items that I was told I'd need to do brewing. Nevertheless, I have decided not to quite give up yet. I'll just have to find a solution for each item.
First, there's the bottles and jars, so far the most daunting item on the list, in part because I have no idea how many I need. If I'm going to decant the final product directly from tap to mugs, will I still need them? But the good news I learned today is where they come from. I'd been visiting Staddle (in my reds-and-blacks, at the advice of a fellow named Steven, who suggested the hobbits might find me more approachable in them than my greens), carrying out my assignment (with far more success than with any of the Bree-folk), and while there I asked about bottles and jars. I learned that glass-making is done in the Shire, and that product comes to Bree-land by dwarf merchants. And this may make the glassware not so much of a dead-fall to my efforts (for the Eglain have business with the dwarves, and they, unlike Bree-folk, understand and appreciate barter for trade goods or service).
Barrels and kegs I still hope to get at a good price. Actually, I've been thinking about it. The tribe does need some goods that are shipped in kegs (sadly not ale, as that's too great an indulgence). On my return, which is only a few days off, I will speak with Hana about whether I can keep a few of those left over. In the past, we've traded the empties back, but we get so little for it, we sometimes use them for firewood instead. It therefore stands to reason I can convince Hana to let me save a few if I make up for it by chopping extra firewood myself, the hard way. The trick will be not letting on what I want them for right away, as Hana might have more thoughts about the entire endeavor, or if she doesn't, Frideric may.
I was told cheese-cloth is not very expensive, and that there is a cheese-maker who visits the weekly market who might be willing to give me some that are used. Or perhaps I can buy some cheese that comes wrapped in it; the tribe can certainly use some cheese. I also hope to meet a tailor who can tell me what it costs to make.
That leaves a bucket with spigot, a large pot, and an air-locker. No one I've spoken to yet can tell me what an air-locker is. The other two items I will try to purchase at the market, in case a pedlar or tinker is present, but if not, I can attempt to secure from the dwarves.
And after that, there's the matter of materials ingredients. And then finding some way to learn how it's done. All daunting challenges. But this doesn't have to happen today, or this month, or even this year.
