Craft-Brew judge, Roger Thornton, entered Tasting Booth #13. The placard beside the freshly poured ale read:
Cosmos Ale! Brewed aboard the International Space Station by real astronauts. A beer sure to take you places!”
Roger always closed his eyes as he judged beer. Unfortunately, he couldn’t feel the cosmic rays trapped in the amber fluid interacting subtly with his body, and making changes. Since his eyes were closed he couldn’t see…
*poof*…as he teleported to Peru. “Hmm,” murmured Roger. “A patina of Peruvian Cedar.” He took another sip.
*poof*…he appeared in an Afghanistan market. “Hints of Egyptian…no…Moroccan Barley.” Another sip.
*poof*…”Yes, a smattering of Japanese Plum.” Without another sip, the effects of the cosmic rays were undone and he went…
*poof* He reappeared back in Booth #13. Roger grimaced and sighed. This is what he wrote on his judge’s card.
I had high hopes for this brew given its origins. Unfortunately, this rather pedestrian effort failed to transport me to new and exotic places. I give 3.5 out 5 stars for valiant effort but a failure to deliver.
_________________________________
Written for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers writing challenge. Look here to see what stories other folks wrote: https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2015/09/08/fffaw-week-of-09-08-2015/
Too funny! Roger was so busy enjoying the “taste” of the beer that he didn’t even know it was transporting him all over the world. Hahaha! I think the “magical” powers of the brew is going to get back at him. Hahaha! Great story Eric! Loved it. Thank you again, Sir, for participating in Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers Challenge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep! He never realized just how magical the beer really was. Had he known, he might’ve given it 6 stars out of 5! Sometimes people miss out on wonderful things because thew walk through life with their eyes closed.
Thanks so much! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I figured he must have really enjoyed the beer since he didn’t even know where it was taking him. Great moral to the story too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Boy, there’s just no pleasing some people. Fun story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know! What do you gotta do to get 5 stars? 😉 Thanks much! 🙂
LikeLike
Apparently to get 5 stars you should NOT have a “finish” reminiscent of eau de Booth #13.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! 😀
LikeLike
Oh dear! He needs to learn to taste his ale with eyes open! I’m sure he’ll be eating his words before too long – he’s not the only ale critic out there and I’m sure he’ll here all the buzz. A very fun story. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yeah. Somebody else will realize what that ale can do and he’ll be kicking himself hard. He’ll be lucky if they let him have any after THAT rating. 😉
Thanks so much! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny and unusual! Maybe someone could teach him how to enjoy the beer And travel at the same time…some habits you have to change to experience something new.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly right. It’s possible to enjoy a beer with open eyes, especially when it takes you on a world tour!
Glad you had fun and thanks kindly! 🙂
LikeLike
What an opportunity he missed. All those exotic places – not to mention the money he would have saved on travel expenses. I must say, I’ll be drinking my next beer with my eyes open – besides, with summer approaching, you never know when a fly is going to take a header into it 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps this is why they say live life with eyes wide open. Who knows what you’ll miss? Roger missed the best part of the beer! And now keep a close eye on your brew some fly might be doing the backstroke in it.
Thanks much, Lyn! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I want some of whatever he’s drinking 😛
Ellespeth
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, so do I actually. I’d drink a lot of it. 😉
LikeLike
So true ‘ sometimes people walk through life……….’. Excellent story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep. Best to keep eyes open. Thanks so much, Indira! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lots of lessons to learn from a fun story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool. Glad you had fun. Thanks much! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess sometimes you really can fail to see the forest for the trees.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, or the exotic country for the beer. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person