Dyrnwch

Deprived the much needed paint ball catharsis I was forced to redirect my energy elsewhere...to brewing, of course. And, as it happened, it was a fierce day over the kettle indeed. Last night I discovered that I am not the only brewer contributing to a party at the end of May. Another homebrewer has also been invited to contribute...a shrewd move by the host.

I would like to think I am equally committed to every batch; that I am giving it my all every time whether it's for the esteemed guests or my own lush self. When the result is good beer, it seems like anything less than my best effort is unacceptable. Things like monitoring the temperature, proper stirring, and boil-over avoidance should never be options. Criminal shortcuts like a fast sparge or an early flame out tend to annoy the gnome, and are therefore off limits completely.

But, in the heat of battle there seems to be some sort of intangible force working behind the scenes. It's like Sputnik beeping ominously over-head. Suddenly the mash temperature is perfect, the gravity, as predicted, and the clarity, brilliant. I am running through the same motions, but for some reason the fermentation is explosive and I come home to see krausen erupting through the airlock...next thing I know I'm on my hands and knees mopping up all the delicious wasted beer covering the floor. Not the worst problem to have.

I had that sort of experience today. The stars aligned somehow and I managed a batch that, if awful, can be attributed completely to my inexperience and lack of aptitude. I hate to admit I drop the ball sometimes out of laziness or carelessness with regards to something as important as beer, but I guess maybe I'll view it like a volume dial that goes up to 11 rather than a design flaw...I know it just won't shred as hard at 10, but sometimes that's just as high as it's going to go.

So, it was a long day brewing indeed, and I met my adversary in every ingredient, measurement, and taste test. There I stood like Dyrnwch the Giant over my cauldron ensuring a vigorous boil. The day may have been grueling, but I expect the reward to be sweet.

Burton salts post kegging

Brewers note: You can boil up Burton salts and add them to the keg. I just did it, and although palette fatigue set in a couple beers ago, I can certainly vouch for its effectiveness. As a matter of fact, the beer will probably taste awfully hard and mineraly over corn flakes tomorrow morning. I boiled up 5 gallons worth and added half to the gallon of Winter Ale that is left in the fridge. (mmm if i do say so myself)

On a more whimsical note, remember the demons are after you as always. They hunt you down and will stop at nothing. Their goal: To crush your dreams. And, they are succeeding. They hold their pinky finger high and casually twirl it in a circle, winding up the strands of your soul in an ever greater ball of yarn before setting it aflame and hurling it onto the blazing pile. The inferno rages as they dance, each contributing their spoils as the perimeter expands to escape the overpowering but irresistible heat. The comets are ever streaming to the center.

You stand at a distance in the last whispers of the heat, close enough for a hint of warmth, far enough to shiver slightly. You hold much fuel for their celebration, but burn it with care. The more you sell, the closer you must approach to their tempting riot. If your ashes rise high enough they will find you. Your weapon is your stash, your humble assembly, and the sovereign power you wield over it. Your shiver is accompanied with purpose and grace while the flames reach ever higher in the distance.

A stray comet bounces to your feet and you throw your shirt over it to smother the flames. You hold it up and hand it to its grateful owner who approaches in distress and gratitude. Once you hadn't thought to charge for the service. Now it is accompanied with thoughts of charity, a disturbing notion. You feel the warmth approach and again reposition your sphere. You know they will one day overpower you and wonder what fate you will choose.