Beer, In Four Parts

Beer, In Four Parts*
By Scott McPherson

I. Barley

Driving rain on thirsty rows
Heavens spill, then barley grows
Through summer's shine, toil and fade
When harvest moon brings mirth delayed

Wind will dance a melancholy sigh
'round stalks of barley, swaying by-the-by
In painful joy, as hopeful lovers may seem
What grapes on vine can never dream

Now grind with steel to wondrous dust
A sound like Marius's army must
Fated means, for such noble ends
Breed fine intentions, and occasional sins...

II. Mash

So little must the brewer do
Add hot water and stir it up
A lovely smelling steaming mash
One hour only and you're through

Pour off its nectar, that potential elixir
The remains are for swine in their trough
Yet for this labor comes sate, not hash
Which fills (not quite!) an ample mixer...

III. Wort

Sweet wort, over heat
Boiled like a treat
Add hops, and hops
But watch for the...
Over it boils, down it seeps!
Do save each
Remaining drop;
Cool, then yeast...

IV. Beer

Keep that perfect temperature
A fortnight or more, or more to be sure
Lodged in vessels since Egypt was pure
Relished for body, brawn and alcohol

If feminine wines can be lavish or subtle
No less is it true for beer — only doubled!
Denial brings on all prohibition's muddle
Too much tempts romance — or worse trouble

Fuels great folly and grand pretensions
Revolution, masterpiece or bold invention
Perhaps not proof of some divine intervention
Benevolent universe is the fairer suggestion


*This poem originally appeared in the March/April 2013 issue of Zymurgy Magazine, published by the American Homebrewers Association.