Fake Beer
by Marianne Brems
For decades I had a beer with dinner
like my father always did.
When I was about five, he offered me
a teaspoonful and it was love at first swallow.
No acquired taste needed.
Something about the crisp bite
of tiny bubbles that pop against my tongue,
the depth of a dense bitterness,
the broad cool wetness,
that turns my mouth to dance.
A luscious stout or porter
quickens my pulse, brings sparkle to my eyes.
Yet I know it isn’t good for me.
I try to trick myself with non-alcoholic beer,
make it firmly grab the collar of my longing.
But it sits like a princess, tame and proper,
on my expectant tongue,
delicately arranging its skirts
where bolder actions ought to thrive
and take the place of silk and lace.
It’s a crescendo without climax,
a dead-end fake
that substitutes cool but narrow refreshment,
brimming with self-righteousness,
for a surrender to supreme libation.
like my father always did.
When I was about five, he offered me
a teaspoonful and it was love at first swallow.
No acquired taste needed.
Something about the crisp bite
of tiny bubbles that pop against my tongue,
the depth of a dense bitterness,
the broad cool wetness,
that turns my mouth to dance.
A luscious stout or porter
quickens my pulse, brings sparkle to my eyes.
Yet I know it isn’t good for me.
I try to trick myself with non-alcoholic beer,
make it firmly grab the collar of my longing.
But it sits like a princess, tame and proper,
on my expectant tongue,
delicately arranging its skirts
where bolder actions ought to thrive
and take the place of silk and lace.
It’s a crescendo without climax,
a dead-end fake
that substitutes cool but narrow refreshment,
brimming with self-righteousness,
for a surrender to supreme libation.
About the author
Marianne Brems is the author of the full-length poetry collections Within the Trifles (2025) and Stepping Stones (2024) plus three chapbooks. Her poems have also appeared in journals including Cider Press Review, Front Porch Review, Remington Review, and Lavender Review. She lives, cycles, and swims in Northern California. Website: www.mariannebrems.com.