Aeschylus, Lycurgus, in Athenaeus Deipnosophists 1.67

μνημονεύει τοῦ πώματος Αἰσχύλος ἐν Λυκούρβῳ:
κἀκ τῶνδ’ ἔπινε Βρῦτον ἰσχαίνων χρόνῳ
κἀσεμνοκόμπει τοῦτ’ ἐν ἀνδρείᾳ τιθείς.

Aeschylus in the Lycurgus calls to mind this drink:
“And, after, he drank the beer that had diminished with time
And boasted greatly, considering this courage.”

Background
From the satyr play, Lycurgus. Satyr plays are comic burlesques that were performed alongside the Greek dramatic trilogies. For a satyr plan, think: The Three Stooges with large, fake penises. Only fragments of this satyr play are preserved.

Commentary
The reference to Brutos in this passage likely refers to Thracian variety of beer, because Lycurgus is a king of Thrace. It is unclear what is meant by beer that had “diminished with time.” Beer does not become less alcoholic if it is left un-drunk. Perhaps, the flavor of any adjuncts fade? Although beer was rife with such additions in antiquity, it is unclear what and when the additions were added to beer according to Thracian beer culture. If they are like wine, adjunct are added immediately before consumption. Or, perhaps, “diminished beer” refers to the leftover bottles from a night’s partying with the adjuncts starting to fade? At this time, there is no way to know for sure.

Author’s Note
Aeschylus (ca. 525-455 BCE)
The first true Greek tragedian. He wrote Prometheus Bound, Agamemnon, Seven Against Thebes – many of the Classics.

Image Source
WikimediaCommons. Roy C. Flickinger, U. Chicago Press, University of California Libraries, MSN. https://archive.org/stream/greektheateritsd00flic/greektheateritsd00flic#page/n6/mode/1up

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