A Poem for Joala (Basotho beer)

A villager is brewing Basotho beer, better known as joala (jwala). Joala tastes mainly sour and bitter. Some versions can be ginger-y and sweet, though. Either way, it is a beloved beverage all over Lesotho.

Note: Joala is the name for beer or alcohol in Lesotho. This poem is dedicated to the country's celebrated beverage.

A Poem for Joala

Come here, sit down,

And give me your ear.

I'd like to tell you,

'bout Basotho beer.

It's bitter and sour,

But sometimes it's sweet.

To all the Basotho,

It's a tasty treat.

They drink it at weddings,

Events and feasts.

Joala is made with,

Their special yeast.

The best I tasted,

Had a sweet ginger base.

It left me so sick,

and laid out on my face.

   Soooooooo, ummmmmmmm...about that last stanza...Riiiiiiiiiight.
   I was on my way to a braai with friends late last year. They had that good joala; that excellent home brew!
   I went: Gulp! Gulp! Gulp! Then, out of nowhere, a Black Mamba grew in my stomach and spit its venom all over the place. Took a while before I felt like a normal person again.
   So, no more home brew joala for me. I'm sticking to filtered water:)