The Yarrow Brew of 1263 – Found Parchment

From the archives of the Cloister Brewing Chronicles, another forgotten gem surfaces — this one honey-stuck and full of herbal heresy.

Translated from a parchment found behind the apothecary wall, sealed with wax and inexplicably covered in honey.

Inventory Entry – Brew Log

Date: Feast of Saint Gall, 1263
Brewer: Brother Percival (unsupervised)
Purpose: "To invigorate the brethren ahead of winter. Also, curiosity."

Ingredients:

• Yarrow (generous handful) – "stimulates the mind, allegedly"

• Wild nettle – "for body and penance"

• Heather flowers – "smells nice, Sister Magdalen approves"

• Barley malt – "basic decency"

• Small amount of wormwood – "just a whisper"

• Fermentation via spontaneous prayer (see note)

Marginal Note (in red ink):
"Percival. What in God’s name does ‘spontaneous prayer fermentation’ mean?"

Observed Effects:

• Mild euphoria, followed by intense theological debate.

• Three monks claimed to receive divine visions of a ‘celestial brewery.’

• Brother Anselm attempted to canonize a turnip.

• The bellringer reported auditory hallucinations: mostly plainsong, occasionally geese.

• The Prior began speaking fluent Old Norse for six hours (then forgot Latin entirely for a day).

• Two novices developed glowing fingertips. This was not followed up.

Disciplinary Note – Prior Gervase

“Brother Percival is hereby forbidden from including any herb not explicitly mentioned in Leviticus, Deuteronomy, or the Rule of Saint Benedict. The remaining barrels are to be sealed and hidden under the bones of Saint Wilfric (sic). Any monk found tampering with the barrels shall scrub the cloister floors with vinegar for a fortnight.”

Addendum – Scrawled in margin, unknown hand (but suspiciously florid):

“The Prior lacks vision. The Yarrow Brew is not a mistake. It is a revelation. It is memory, fire, and grace in a flagon. Also, it pairs well with soft cheese.”

Postscriptum:
The brew was unearthed briefly in 1478. Results were described by one chronicler as “ecclesiastically chaotic.” It has since vanished.