"Are you sure Merrick doesn't make poison?" That's uncharitable of her but her experiences with Merrick thus far have been trying, if she goes with the most polite term that she can, and the thought of him making alcohol is disturbing. "Do you truly not trade then? Even little fishing boats usually have something brewing on them, they do a bit when they're in port and then as they're out it's ready to drink. Though we can't keep water on ships."

It turns into slime. Really smelly slime. It's bad.

"I can't imagine what that must be like, rum and brandy are staples for all of us, wine with dinner, spirits and other drinks imported on our ships...Each crew has their own special recipe of at least one way to fancy up the rum too, so it feels like alcohol again."