Nebraska Brewing Company’s Melange a Trois, a strong Belgian-Style Blonde ale, aged for six months in French Oak Chardonnay barrels, carries a good bit of the wine, with citrus and a hint of vanilla. A little musty, with an excellent frothy head, which, I believe, could describe me most mornings. But I digress. Deceptively strong (11+ ABV) with a pleasant bitterness. I would pair this with a plate of cured meat and David Wevill’s Other Names for the Heart: New and Selected Poems 1964-1984.
He writes in “Grace”:
… Sometimes lately
a bird you can’t identify has flitted close
and sung from the branches of his hands.
He leaves us touching ourselves.
Over the past thirty years, much of Wevill’s writing has left me with unrequited questions, with an itch to branch out, to learn more, to delve deeper into what makes us human.
But there are those days when introspection flies out the back door into the overgrown backyard, and all you want to do is sit back, watch the football game, relax, be entertained, escape. On those days I’ll break out a few cans of Austin Beerworks Pearl Snap, a German-style pilsner, moderately malty, straw-colored, with citrusy hops evident. A clean, palate-cleansing drink, good with nachos or chips, or hell, even with a Greek salad (heavy on the feta and olives, please). And if you’re like me and can’t devote yourself fully to the game, multitask – dip into Jeff Schwaner’s Goat Lies Down on Broadway, and absorb “Goat Reads the Signs”:
The sun rises like music
every morning. Wind goes
around the world and comes
back in a week or two. Goat
waits on top of a hill, judging…
As do we. Don’t stop there. Continue. Turn off the tube – one team will win, the other will lose. But Goat never wins. Goat never loses. Goat befriends Jerry Falwell. Goat eats Jerry’s tie. Goat ingests Sartre. Goat dies. “Goat is never dead.” A lively read, to say the least.
And speaking of lively, Independence Brewery’s Lupulust is a traditional Belgian-style tripel with a touch of modern hoppiness. It pours with a big head and spicy, floral notes, with a dry finish, reminding me of Karen Craigo’s No More Milk, in which she speaks of life – ordinary life – which, in her hands, becomes like that floral scented, big, hoppy beer. In “Scat with Mourning Dove” the narrator wakes “to syncopated song” and marvels at the bird’s jazz refrains from her place in bed with “a body warm against mine,” celebrating
how God made us, made jazz,
made an instrument of a dove.
Sip this book. Share it with friends. Take it to bed with a glass of warm milk. Savor it.
“Which Poet, Which Beer (3)” appeared here in September 2016.
As usual, your parings reveal depths that might not be evident to those less adventurous.
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Ah, the poetry of beer!
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Love the “A little musty, with an excellent frothy head, which, I believe, could describe me most mornings”.
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Thanks, Jeni. I feel pretty frothy this morning!
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The perfect review (K)
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Beer does aid the reviewing process…
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And many other things as well.
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It does, indeed!
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This Nebraskan has never sampled this brew. I suppose it’s time to search for some.
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It’s quite tasty! I’m not usually a big fan of this type of beer, but this one invited multiple servings.
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I love this so much. Beer and poetry – two of my favorite things in this world. ❤
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Thank you, Sarah. They go together well, don’t they? 🙂
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What an awesome piece Bob. Well, what more can I say? Beer is now my ex. However, am still in love with poets and poetry. Plus, am still sipping on Henny French Cognac.
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Thanks, A-Jay. I’ve reduced my beer consumption, and must admit that I miss it.
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Haha, good for you.
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Beer, music, poetry … all can solve life’s little problems!
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It often feels that way!
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Ah, I loved seeing this gem again. Best poetry review series — and most sensible — around these days…
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More poetry! More beer!
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Love it congratulations 💥
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Thank you.
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Reblogged this on DAZZLED and commented:
Love it! Congratulations more please 💥
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Thanks for reblogging!
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