Twas 2 days before Christmas, when all through the Brewery

Twas 2 days before Christmas, when all through the Brewery
a few rackers was stirring, but definitely no mice. ( we have a comprehensive pest control contract)
The firkins were stacked by the brew house with care,
In hopes that Terry, our driver, soon would be there.

Customers services were taking late orders and eating mince pies
While the dray crews returned with just enough empty casks to get by.
And Belinda in her Santa’s hat, and I in my fleece
Had settled our brains for an afternoon’s peace.

When out on East Green there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the desk to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Pushed aside papers and knocked over the trash

The sun on the courier’s roof below
Made me shade my eyes and bend down low.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a pallet of Tally Ho, …They’d bottled our beer!

With a Fork lift driver so nimble and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be Robert, as we don’t have one called Nick.
More rapid than the wingers at Ipswich he drove
We off-loaded the pallet and checked it hadn’t froze

“Call Kevin! Call Jonathan! and Stephen Pugh!
Tell Karen, Rob and Andy and the web sales team too.
To the Cellar & Kitchen! To Duncan’s store!
Drive quickly now,  foot to the floor!

When customers flocked to the store that same eve,
they’d be met with a sight we ne’er thought we’d see.
Tally Ho had been bottled and would be sitting on shelf,
Why not buy a few bottles for Santa, and maybe one for an Elf

And then, in a twinkling, I ‘d opened a case
To check the labels were on straight, you know, just in case.
As my bottle opener drew in I could see all around,
excitement and relief, anticipation abounds.

Dressed all in amber, with a blue Crown top,
On the labels, a rider but no alas no place for the fox.
An aroma of raisins, sweet malt and juicy hops
bade me to sample just the smallest of drops

The beer was ruby red, and looked like sherry
My eyes, they twinkled, I was already quite merry
My cheeks, in expectation, had started to glow,
The head was off-white, more of half melted snow.

Flavours of rum and raisin as I sipped through my teeth,
and the array of spices and dark malts lay beneath
Treacle and molasses, maybe a little bit bready
The warmth reaching my toes made me slightly unsteady

Sean’s got a bottle for the bloggers, too many to mention
and I’ve a few for our cellar, for future retention
A case for me to take home tonight
Quality control is a constant delight

For the team at the Brewery I must give thanks,
And maybe a bottle so that it might be drank.
This years brew is all in bottle now,
so for anyone who helped please take a bow!

Now I need to finish and prepare for next year,
Tweeting and writing p**s poor poetry doesn’t brew beer.
Join me in a final toast while I remain upright,
“Tally Ho to all, and to all a good-night!”

Merry Christmas
Fergus