1903 The Flowing Bowl by Edward Spencer

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CHAPTER V

GLORIOUS BEER

Nectar on Olympus—Beer and the Bible—"Ninepenny" at Eton " Number One " Bass—"The wicked weed called hops" All is not beer that's bitter—Pathetic story of "Poor Richard"—Secrets of brewing—Gervase Markham An " espen " full of hops—Eggs in ale—Beer soup—The wassail bowl—Sir Watkin Wynne—Brown Betty—Rum- fustian Mother-in-law—A delightful summer drink— Brasenose ale. As much poetry has been written in praise of John Barleycorn as in praise of wine, woman, battles, heroes, Cupid's darts, and patent medi cines. And one dear old song, which seems to ring in my ears as I write, proclaimed that in the opinion of the author the nectar which the gods imbibed from golden goblets on the top of Mount Olympus was in reality cool, refreshing pale ale, quaffed out of pewter tankards. Whether this was so matters not, but as to the antiquity of beer as a beverage there can be no question; and however much the demand for other liquors may have slackened during the rolling on of time, John Barleycorn is still grow ing in public estimation. Breweries keep on