M * A * S * H

Brewers combine water with malted barley (and maybe a few other things) in the Mash Tun in order to convert the starch in the grain into sugars.

The collective name for the wet grains is "mash".  Mash also refers to the process.

Once we have gotten all the good stuff out of the mash, we are left with a whole bunch of wet grain in the mash tun. 

Have you ever wondered what happens to it from there?  No?  Why not?

Just kidding. 

When the mash is complete, I rake the "spent grain" into several garbage cans.

Then, in a centuries-old tradition, we give the grain to a local farmer who feeds his cattle with it.  This makes the cows happy and extra-yummy.

Spent grain also makes excellent compost.  We are happy to accommodate local gardeners who wish to add organic material to their gardens.