Editing Reed's Brew

{{Cleanup|reason=review needed|date=September 2023}}

{{infoBoxMilitaryCommand
| image          = [[File:Reed’s_Brew.jpg|150px]]
| Designation    = Reed's Brew
| formed         = 
| Disbanded      = 
| Previous Designation = 
| Nickname       = 
| Affiliation    = [[Mercenary]]
| Parent Command = Independent
| Sub-Command    = 
}}

Reed's Brew was a small mercenary battalion that was also known for brewing beer while under contract with the [[Circinus Federation]].

==History==
===Founding===
Reed's Brew was formed in the early 3050s by several former [[Federated Commonwealth]] soldiers who deserted the frontlines of the [[Clan Invasion]]. The mercenaries established themselves in the [[Circinus Federation]], where they found work reinforcing the [[Black Warriors]].

In [[3056]], the unit commander, Major Burly Reed, was very unsatisfied with the quality of beer found in the Federation. He established a beer brewery as a side business using his unit's name. The mercenary side of the Brew became the security force for the nascent (and phenomenally successful) brewery business.<ref>''Mercenaries Supplemental II'', p. 57: "early history more detailed in Supplement II".</ref>

During the [[Marian Hegemony]] invasion of [[3066]], Reed's Brew's founder, Major Burly Reed, was killed. Lucas "Hurly" Reed, the younger brother of Burly, took command of both the unit and the brewery. He expanded brewing operations and established a second brewery on [[Galatea]] in [[3067]], leaving the original brewery in the Circinus Federation under the control of his ex-wife.<ref>''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 100: "Reed's Brew unit profile" - what happened in Federation.</ref>

Due to the large capital expenses associated with the expanding beer production, Lucas Reed was forced to contract the Reed's Brew security force as mercenaries again.

However, the unit suffered from a declining [[MRBC]] rating due to lack of combat experience over the years, and as of [[3067]] the unit was unemployed.

===Jihad===
In [[3068]] Reed's Brew was approached by the [[Word of Blake]] but declined employment, fearing the stigma of being associated with the instigators of the Jihad. Luck changed late in the year when a [[Mr. Askai]] offered the mercenaries a long-term contract for an anonymous employer. The contract stipulated that Reed's Brew would defend some worlds within the [[Free Worlds League]], while conducting raids in the [[Rim Commonality]] and the [[Duchy of Andurien]]. In addition, Mr. Askai's employer agreed to distribute the mercenary company's beer through a number of outlets across the Free Worlds League. Major Reed accepted and leased a small [[JumpShip]] and a pair of DropShips for the 18-month campaign.

Reed's Brew began raiding in February of [[3069]] on [[Fadiffolu]], where the unit struck against the [[Contart Mining]] facility. The mercenaries easily overpowered the planetary militia and took several tons of ore. The unit's confidence grew until they ran into an ambush by a mysterious force on [[Tohelet]] (also in [[3069]]). Despite Major Reed's determination to break their stigma of 'party patrol' from Federation years, the unit took heavy losses as they were forced to withdraw.

The ambush served as a wake-up call, with Major Reed hiring two former League officers to instill discipline and improve unit tactics.  The training helped dramatically. By the time their contract with Mr Askai was completed in [[3070]] the unit had become a battle-hardened fighting force. During their contract, Reed's Brew had captured 1,200 tons of merchandise through their raids.

In 3069, the unit raided [[Tohelet]] where they fought and then withdrew after facing [[Cumberland's Missiliers]].<ref name=TCp78>''Total Chaos'', pp. 78–79: "Brew-Ha-Ha"</ref>

During the unit's two-month furlough in the [[Capellan Confederation]], Mr. Askai had once again rehired the unit for another contract to raid locations along the Combine-Federated Suns border. Through their continuing combat success, Reed's Brew expanded its brewery business to other worlds, such as [[Loongana]] where a new brewery was being constructed.<ref>''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 100: "Expanded Jihad history of the unit".</ref>

==Officers==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Rank
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Name
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Command
|-
| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of Reed's Brew'''
|-
| [[Captain]]||[[Burly Reed]]||[[3058]]
|-valign="top"
| [[Major]]||[[Lucas Reed|Lucas "Hurly" Reed]]||[[3067]]
|-valign="top"
|-
|}

==Tactics==
The unit trained extensively in raiding by late 3069, developing a method of using their recon units equipped with [[ECM]] to jam enemy forces.

==Dragoon Ratings==
===3067===
'''Dragoon Rating: D'''

===3071===
'''Dragoon Rating: C'''

==Composition History==
===3058===
'''Reed’s Brew''' (2 [[Lance]]s|Regular|Questionable)<ref name=p2ndE:p68>''The Periphery (2nd Edition)'', p. 68: Reed’s Brew</ref>
* CO: [[Captain]] Burly Reed

===3059===
'''Reed’s Brew (2 lances) ''' (2 Lances/Regular/Questionable)<ref name=FMMercsp113/>
:* CO: Captain Burly Reed<ref name=FMMercsp113/>
: Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on [[Clayborne II]].<ref name=FMMercsp113>''Field Manual: Mercenaries'', p. 113</ref>

===3067===
'''Reed’s Brew''' (1 [[BattleMech]] [[Battalion]])
* CO: Major Lucas "Hurly" Reed
* XO: [[Captain]] Samuel "Whig" Smada
- 30% of the unit been upgraded to Star League Technology.

'''Reed’s Roughnecks''' (1 [[Infantry]] [[Company]])
* CO: Captain William "Bud" Ironman
* XO: [[Lieutenant]] Mick "Old Man" Lobenstein

- provide security for the base and brewery.

==Rules==
<div class="gamerules">
===Game Rules===
The Reed's Brew roll one unit out four from B column from Free World League rolling table found in Field Manuel Updates.  If the unit is the attacker, it gains a +1 to its initiative. However, the bonus remains in effect if it succeeds beating the opposing player's initiative rolls more than one-fourth of the time.<ref>''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 126, "Force-Specific Rules" - Reed gains ability to roll on the FWL rolling table for unit and gains bonus if their attack.</ref>
</div>

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Blake Ascending]]''
* ''[[Mercenaries Supplemental II]]''
* ''[[Mercenaries Supplemental Update]]''
* ''[[The Periphery, 2nd Edition (sourcebook)|The Periphery (2nd Edition)]]''
* ''[[Total Chaos]]''


[[Category:Mercenary Commands]]