Brewing & Bottling... all in one day!

Aight... lesson learned.  Never brew and bottle all in one day--especially if you're working at two different locations!  Hill & Shock had a damn good time brewing the lager, which proved to be slightly more in-depth than the ales we have previously brewed.  Note to self and other homebrewers:  never take your eyes off 5 gallons of boiling wort.  That stuff is volatile!  Caramelized extract baked into oven heating elements doesn't come off easily... :(

Brewed and fermenting, the lager got stuffed into Shock's basement, which, during the winter, might as well be a giant walk-in fridge.  Damn cold down there, and we're taking advantage of it.  During the summer though, it stays a constant 65 degrees.  Perfect for ales, baby!

I giant high-five and precious time spent scrubbing the oven later, we're off to Hill's pad for the bottling of the Jackrabbit.  Whee!  Another note to self and other homebrewers:  clean and sanitive bottles in advance!  Saves on time in the long run.  Bottling worked out aight, and Hill managed to get himself a giant gallon jug of wonderfully hoppy Jackrabbit.  Saving that for a special occasion... :)  I always enjoy bottling; it's quick, fun, and is that finishing touch that brings the whole process together.  Plus, I get to fill the bottles, which is nifty to watch.  Hill gets stuck with capping, which is fine with me; he's the technical genius anyway.  :)  I'm sure he'll contest that statement.

Now we just have to wait for the lager to be bottled.  The entire process is going to take almost two months... hope it's worth it!  Cross your fingers, and raise a glass.