Beer for a Saturday Morning

Well it's been a full week in the jar. All signs point to another fine batch of Dortmunder Export.

That said, I'm still disgusted about all the sediment. 2 steps forward, one step back I suppose. But criminy! Just depressing to see.

Of course, this is partly because the focus at this stage is on a big glass jug full nothing really going on. Geysers still occurring, bubble too. Very infrequently. So all you see is a good looking beer - color, clarity, body - and a pile of crap on the bottom.

At other steps in the process you see different stuff. During mash, temperature control is the mission. Visually, the grains froth while stewing in hot water. Chemically, starches are breaking down into fermentable sugars; pure water now stained in golden, amber and bronze tones.

The subsequent boil stage is even more action. There's fire control, maintaining a balanced roll. Hop additions that release a foamy green scum; volume evaporating all the while. Will transfer to the secondary fermenter this weekend and bottle in another 5 to 10 days. Then wait 3 weeks for a drink.

This whole process is an exercise in preparation, patience, forbearance, and controlled execution. The ultimate goal achievement activity. Outward Bound for the sedentary lush.

Or like church. 'Cause all previous sins are forgiven once the beer meets bottle. At least until you get to taste it. That's when the real party starts. Or ends.

Guess we'll see...

On top of the sky

there's a place where you go

If you've done

nothing wrong

And down in the ground

is a place where you go

If you've

been a bad boy

- Entwhistle