By Lesley Mace
Sarah lifted her brewing pan from the heat, and caramel-flavoured steam filled the kitchen. Pale malt and oat-husks mingled in the mash, mixed with her secret ingredient—toast. Sarah was a thrifty housekeeper: she wasted nothing, grew her own ingredients, fermented, and preserved. She set the wort to strain, prepared the water for sparging, rifled the pantry for dried hops and yeast.
Barnaby, fresh from dozing in the rocking-chair, sneered at her ale. Bitter words poured from his well-fed mouth.
Re-purposing the butcher knives, Sarah won back the calm in her kitchen. Autumn’s hops—richly nourished—had a distinctive, delicious aroma.
Repurposing the butcher knives – clever. Great read.
Thanks for commenting, Karen. Really glad you enjoyed it.
I agree with Karen – super sleek and efficient
‘Bitter words poured…..’ in such a short piece every word is important and some are even twice as important.
Loved it.
Thanks Ron. Lovely to hear from you!
Excellent! My favourite line definitely the ‘bitter words’.
Thanks Danielle. This is a lovely place to submit – do you have any flashes??