Macduff: Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed, that you do lie so late?
Porter: Faith, sir, we were carousing till the second cock: and drink, sir, is a great provoker of three things.
Macduff: What three things does drink especially provoke?
Porter: Marry, sir, nose-painting, sleep, and urine. Lechery, sir, it provokes and it unprovokes; it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance: therefore, much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lechery: it makes him, and it mars him: it sets him on, and it takes him off; it persuades him; and disheartens him; makes him stand to, and not stand to: in conclusion, equivocates him in a sleep, and, giving him the lie, leaves him.
–William Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act II, Scene 1
If I do say so, I brew a pretty good porter. It’s one of my favorite styles, and I’ve spent time on it. This rendition contains some compromises, based on indecision, forgetfulness and available ingredients, but it turned out well, and I’m pleased.
The interesting thing about this batch is that I bottled the whole bloody volume. I hate washing bottles. But, all my kegs are engaged. Fortunately, I’ve been saving 22-ounce bombers. Those little gems made a hassle slightly less of a hassle.
The problem with brewing porters is that my wife really likes them. They don’t last long around our house. Maybe I’ll tell her it’s infected.
brewvana 