1903 The Flowing Bowl by Edward Spencer

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