So, I begin mashing in on Friday morning. I’m hitting my temp, the consistency is spot on, and the mash looks great. About 5 minutes into mashing in, the phone starts ringing. Usually, Lacey, our administrative assistant (and all around renaissance woman) answers the phone; but then I remember, we started early today, and she hasn’t arrived yet. The phone keeps ringing, and ringing, and ringing, and I begin to get annoyed. “Okay”, I think to myself, “since we have installed the new hydrator, the mash temp. has been totally predictable and consistent; I guess I’ll just put down the mash paddle, and answer the phone.” I rush over, pick up the phone, and a thin, crackly voice begins to speak over the line. “Greetings earthling, we’ve come from Mars in an attempt to more fully understand your most technically advanced brewing methods”. Click. The phone goes dead. I stand there for a second staring at the receiver, and think to myself, “Either this is Larry’s idea of an early morning prank, or E.T. is having diacetyl issues.” I hang up the phone, turn around to get back to the mash, and, well, let’s just say I think this will be the most authentic batch of Biere de Mars ever brewed on planet earth. Here is a photo that I was lucky enough to snap before the Martian was beamed back up! Jean