Do you love Roald Dahl enough to drink beer made from the yeast of his writing chair?
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This week's question: Can you love Roald Dahl too much?
This question was inspired by the weirdest piece of book news I've seen this month. Roald Dahl, the storied British novelist, gave us some of the most beloved children's books of the 20th century: "Matilda," "James and the Giant Peach," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and more.
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But we may have found the line between what's Dahl-icious and what's despica-Dahl.
A brewery in London is whipping up the ultimate in Roald Dahl worship: A specially crafted ale made with yeast swabbed from Dahl's very own writing chair.
The concoction will be dubbed Mr. Twit's Odious Ale — so at least they're aware of its repulsive nature.
The ale will be on the menu for the live theater production of "Dinner at The Twits," which brings to life two of Dahl's most delightfully wretched creations: Mr. and Mrs. Twit.
"By incorporating wild yeast cultured from inside Roald Dahl's writing chair in our beer to accompany "Dinner at The Twits," it feels like we are injecting his own dark humor and effervescent sense of fun into the brew," Harry Parr, one of the brewery's founders, told The Independent.
Mrs. Twit fed Mr. Twit worm spaghetti, in case you've forgotten, and Mr. Twit threatened to make a pie out of schoolboys. Hungry yet? Obviously, "The Twits" is a perfect choice for a dinner theater show.
You might really need that desk-yeast beer to wash it down: The theater company, Les Enfants Terribles, promises it will be "the most gloriously gruesome and immersive dining experience ever."
As bizarre and offbeat as the ale recipe may be, it's just twisted enough to be Dahl's style. After all, this is the man who gave us Augustus Gloop and Veruca Salt. Appetites are always a danger in a Dahl book.
Personally, the immersive Roald Dahl experience I'm holding out for is a replica of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Just mind yourself around the Fizzy Lifting Drinks.