Beer
| Beer in the medieval ages was made in the
castle or nearby stream, and was consumed right away. It was the job of the ale
conner to test the purity of the beer. Pouring a pool of ale onto a wooden bench he
would sit there for a half hour or so. If he could stand the beer was good.
Poor quality beer was sugary and would act like glue, sticking his leather
britches to the bench. After beer was made, it was drunk in the first two days. Only the most foolish drank after that, as the beer got a little wild. Instead of throwing it out it was given to the pigs, as it was thought to sweeten the meet. So explains a the modern day expression. Drunk as swine. |