The sky was clear, the weather was warm, and the air was redolent with testosterone as the brewers gathered for "The Monster Mash". People will write songs about it (or, at least, article).
Dave and Julie Williams provided the location & libations; Dave provided mashification with his non-automated RIMS system, a blindingly complex collections of valves, vessels, and pump that only he could control. (Many a brave brewer stood gaping, dumbfoundedly marveling at its hideous complexity. Some were driven mad-fortunately, no one who wasn't well on the way regardless.)
Other brewers provided brewing vessels, sweat equity, propane, and propane accessories. After mashing, we had 30 gallons of wort, which was divided into five six-gallon batches. Each batch had a separate vessel, a burner, and a Kettle Kaptain. I, as Kettle Kaptain Alpha, brandishing the stainless-steel Paddle of Authority, had the honor of both first boil and choice of hop (Cascade, naturally).
Other brewers manned the remaining kettles, for which their names will be emblazoned on the Pantheon of heroes, as soon as someone reports them to Hero Pantheon Central. The other batches used different hoppages for boil and finish, allowing an opportunity for a future compare-and-contrast paper for any brewers still taking Freshman English-the rest of us will just drink them to better see the role of differing hops in the same recipe.
The sight of five fermenters boiling madly away is forever etched on my memory. It was indeed the apothoesis of the manly side of the brewing arts--many of us grew additional chest hair during the event.
After chilling and filling, the fermenters were dosed by Dave with a good-sized yeast starter of unknown origin, presumably of this Earth. There were photos taken at this event, some of which no doubt should be destroyed in the interest of propriety, but I imagine they'll be strewn throughout these pages instead. Word from on high is that the results of this truly Monstrous Mash will be deemed potable by the next meeting; an annual event; it was wondrous.
