I just had to...

Yesterday I woke up at what to normal people is early but to me is whoo eee F'd up early, 5:30 to be exact to head all the way into Palatine. I say all the way in because now that I live in BFE (butt f'in egypt) aka: Unicorperated Crystal Lake, it takes an extra 20 minutes to get anywhere! So, I'm driving into Palatine thinking 5 things and in this order.
1. should I stop and get ciggies?
2. shit, I hope Ryan's not pissed that I'm a half hour late.
3. damn it takes a long time to get here from Crystal Lake.
4. should I stop and make it 40 min. so that I can have smokes?
5. damn it takes a long time to get here from Crystal Lake oh yeah, and it's early.

So, I chose to not stop therefor cutting the time of lateness to a minimal 30 min.
I arrive at Emmett's Palatine to see my brewmaster's smiling face already up and working in the brew tanks.
He lets me in and we begin work. Today Kristen, you will learn to brew beer!!!

8 hours, 4 beers, 2 mishaps with the hose and 1 soaked from head to toe Kristen later...we had brewed 10 gallons of Emmett's Centennial Amber Ale!
What a day it was! I realized that working hard like that for 8 hours makes one appreciate standing behind a bar and talking to people a lot. I also realized that I love manual labor. Wanna know why?? Well, for one, my mom would say it's because I'm half Muse, but two because you get to see a finished product. I can't wait to drink this beer. Seriously folks...I may just have to have a batch 49 Amber party just in celebration of my beer going on tap. I think I'm hooked.

P.S. My dad just recently purchased a brewery in Montana. I believe he's setting up a day for me to go in and brew when I'm up there. I wonder if it will be as fun without the greatest brewmaster around, Mr. Ryan Clooney? We'll have to wait and see.