Had some co-workers over to brew a couple years ago, doing three in a row. (!!!) The last batch was a hefeweizen extract kit one of them brought. He would put the pellet hops in one of those cheap muslin bags, tie off the end, and just toss it in the kettle.
After chilling, I started to drain the wort into his bucket. All of a sudden the flow stopped. That damn hops bag was stuck on the valve inlet. I didn't even see it before that point, and the homebrews I had consumed had somehow affected my judgment. I tried to pry it loose with a big spoon, but it was wedged tight. Without thinking, I plunged my hand in there and pulled it out. Suddenly realizing that I just stuck my unsanitary hand up to my wrist into his wort, I apologized. He said, "don't worry, that kit's been in my basement a couple years, so I'm not counting on it even turning out that well." Still, I felt like crap.
It DID turn out well, no infection. In fact, it was quite tasty.
/CSB