The question Which beer do you want, Mary? went down at the end. When she puts her nose to a glass, though, something switches on. She sits straighter and her words come out faster, lit by interest and focus. It smells like a campfire to me also. Smokey, like wood, charred wood. Like a cedar chest, like a cigar, tobacco, dark things, smoking jackets. She sips from the glass. Now I'm getting the chocolate in the mouth. Caramel, cocoa nibs . . .
The passage reflects a moment of realization for Mary as she engages with the sensory experience of beer tasting. Initially, she might appear indifferent when asked about her beer choice, but as she leans in to smell the beer, her demeanor transforms. The interaction captivates her attention, igniting a newfound curiosity as she begins to articulate her thoughts with enthusiasm.
Mary describes the beer's aroma, drawing comparisons to familiar, earthy scents like campfires and charred wood. It evokes a rich tapestry of associations, from cedar chests to tobacco, painting a vivid sensory picture. Upon tasting, she notes the subtle flavors of chocolate and caramel, illustrating how her perceptions evolve from simple inquiry to a complex enjoyment of the nuances in flavor.
