The Legend of the Devil’s Brew
Gleefully unfit for the beige, and honest to the marrow, Hugh Cron has had the Mature Content tag applied more often than any other writer on the site. Although I haven’t checked, I’m willing to venture that he has more of those than all combined writers on the site.
I think that is something to be proud of!
A lot of those tags are due to Hugh’s direct opinion on religion. His writing reminded me of my time in a tenth grade Mythology class I took at age sixteen. Upon reading myths from many societies I had to wonder why something as clearly mythic as the Bible (and Koran and etc) is treated as real and the others as fiction, even though they too had been real at one time. I was not the only one who wondered that–a classmate raised his hand and pretty much asked the instructor the same question. He smiled and said, “I’d tell you but I don’t want to get fired.”
Although Hugh does not need to worry about getting fired, I believe he’d say what he thinks no matter what. Another thing to be proud of!
Let’s ask a couple of questions:
Q-1: Although it didn’t happen here, you have often been attacked (well, in the wimpy online fashion) by Christians who object to you using your right to speak your mind. I’m all for people having faith, if it helps them, but what has been your reaction to those incidents?
Q-2: I think if it were possible, The Devil’s Brew would take over every pub and tavern in the land. Do you agree?
Hi Leila,
Thanks so much for choosing this and thanks for the questions – These are a blast to do!!
Qu. 1 – I just laugh!! Not for the reasons that folks might think. I have the same attitude to staunch supporters of politics or royalty. If they believe what they spout, then there is nothing that I could say that should bother them. If they believe that their faith or loyalty is absolute, then there is fuck all that I say should matter. I think on it this way – What causes more trouble, belief or opposing reaction?
Qu 2. If it would get folks back into pubs, what are a few souls to keep an old and once cherished industry flourishing??
My own Devil’s Brew is quantity not specifics. When I was younger I had a phrase about being ‘five haufs in’ – That meant I was at the stage where I didn’t give a fuck but was still in total control. Over the years, unfortunately, that has increased to ‘twelve haufs in!’ I do have the curse / salvation of the quick drinker – Three quarters of the night I’m sober, it never builds, one drink later I want a kebab and a sleep!!
Thanks again Leila, these are always fun!!
Hugh
literally stories 
It was a helluva story then and still a deviluva story now. Biting doesn’t do it justice. Maybe…a satire with six-inch fangs? I can’t unsee the image conjured by the guy assaulting the letterbox. Well done, Hugh!
LikeLike
Hi Dave,
Thanks for taking the time to read once again!!
Not sure what made me think of that image.
…I think it would be more worrying if I remembered!!
All the very best my fine friend.
Hugh
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hugh
This is a rollicking rock-and-roll-style tale whose language is incredibly good and makes the reader want to reach for creative phrases to describe it. The speed, clarity, and accuracy of the sentences carry the reader along from beginning to end like a march or a dance.
The unfolding of these anarchic events is chronicled with a one-of-a-kind “Hugh” style that also reminds of Robbie Burns’ famous story-poem “Address to the Devil.” Your tale extends the famous Scottish skepticism and intellect that has made so many contributions to thought and thinking the world over.
The writing style, or style of writing, in this tale is endlessly admirable. Forward motion, zero wasted words, wicked energy, wild-eyed drunkenness (in the fictional sense), brilliant phrases, original sentence structures, a half-mad, plunging-forward-against-all-odds kind of style that elevate this piece far above normal, everyday, ordinary writing. Instead of bogged-down descriptions and needless explanations and unwanted character reflections, the reader is given ACTION, motion and movement from beginning to end, all told in a voice that leaps out as satirical and musical. The action is (or seems) both mental and actual, an intriguing duality.
There are many kinds of devils in this world. Some rise to the highest positions on the globe (like president of the United States) and some exist in the hearts of all of us, daring us to go with the flow, go with the crowd, or be our own person.
A story like this shows that the writer of it is his own person and that is the greatest gift of this tale to the world. Bravo Hugh, rock on and keep being you as I know you will anyway, there’s only one and your voice is exceedingly valuable in a world where so many voices are being quietly silenced behind the scenes, one by one. And it reminds us that, for now at least, we still have “free speech” in the UK and the USA.
Dale
LikeLike
Hi Dale,
Thank you so much for the generous and well thought out comments.
I do wonder something – I’ve always had a freedom in my writing as in, I wrote what I wanted.
I’ve been doing this for over thirty years and what I wonder is this – If someone in their mid-twenties starts writing today, will they be able to write with the same freedom or will other factors influence their content??
I hope not but worry that it will!
Thanks again my fine friend.
Hugh
LikeLike
Hugh
Just read the tale again and it is still sharp as, well, hell. The Dark One smiles again!
Leila
LikeLike
Hi Leila,
With Christmas coming up, I reckon I could do with a dozen pints and sod the consequence!!!
Thanks so much for picking this – It was a blast to see it once again.
Hugh
LikeLike
Hi Hugh
I am certain you can hold your own with the Devil in a drink contest, as long as he doesn’t get too unfair. Actually, he seems pretty fair, by allowing people to damn themselves!
Leila
Leila
LikeLike
Hi Hugh
In my town, there is a trail where 2 to 4 Christians post to offer free Bible lessons. Although they seem nice, I never speak to them. I want to ask if teaching the Christian Bible takes the place of being good to your neighbor, but I never do. I figure they will find out soon enough, if we ever find out.
Probably not.
All of the men wear ties for some reason. — gerry
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha
Makes it easier to hang themselves.
LikeLike
Hi Gerry,
I find the idea of the bible being taught somewhat missing the point!!
Not sure how to explain that though!
(I love ‘That though’ together – It feels so wrong!!)
Thanks so much for the comments my fine friend.
Hugh
LikeLike
It’s great that LS has this ‘re-runs’ feature – a boon to those of your elderly readers living in The Eternal Present.’ I had no prior recollection of reading, enjoying and commenting on this 3 years ago. Loved it once again. Bravo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Mick,
Maybe a few pints of the old Home Brew will do that to you!!
Thanks as always my fine friend.
Hugh
LikeLike
I have a feeling that now and again you just sit down, close your eyes and let it all just flow out. This is outrageous, of course it is but, yet again, I read it to the end and grinned. Good to see your work featured again. dd
LikeLike
Hi Diane,
It’s strange when I look back at some of the description and imagery as I understand what I was getting at but I wonder where the initial thought came from??
Thanks so much!
Hugh
LikeLike
Because of the Men In Black and my abduction to Sunset City I must not have any memory. I not only read this but commented thereupon.
Everybody talking about heaven, no one wants to go to heaven.
LikeLike
Hi Doug,
Maybe you tried to blot if from your memory!!
No matter what, I’m very thankful that you re-visited!!
All the very best my fine friend. (Say a cheery ‘Hello’ to Sharon for me!)
Hugh
LikeLike
I remember this one well – you are a master on writing about pubs (as well as many other topics of course), but your love of a good pub, and all the associated characters and behaviours you see in them you do so, so well.
Reading this again, and your interview remind me of a Brendan Behan quotation: “I’m a drinker with a writing problem.”
LikeLike
Hi Paul,
I’ve done a bit of research over the years.
And a lot of self-research as well!!
The problem these days is that there is not the material that there used to be in a pub. What the fuck can you write about a father with a pringle jumper, his wife and their 2.4 children sitting down to a mineral water and a Quorn low fat salad??
Pubs were ruined when they changed focus to meals and fucking families!!!!
Thanks as always my fine friend, much appreciated.
Hugh
LikeLiked by 1 person