(this is rainbowserpent, my account is inactive)    that's interesting.  does this ever create strong emulsions?      the reasoning behind so much lye in this tek was first because more vinegar was being used (and in a slightly higher concentration) than in the marsofold tek and a couple of other a/b teks (though obviously, not nearly as acidic as when using HCL).      even with the amounts used, the solutions would turn black with somewhere between 20-30% of lye solution left to pour in.  Experimenters found that even with a black solution sometimes emulsions would form that required several hours between pulls (especially if and when a 3rd and 4th vinegar brew was done), so they added another 1-2 tablespoons lye and found the emulsion problem to be nonexistant.  Agreed that lye is getting harder to come by...though where it can be found it is very affordable.