Thanks, folks. You caught me just in time! I won't brine the butt. I had read on some other boards that brining could be beneficial, but then others said that the fat in the butt is sufficient. So, no brine this time...just a good rub the day before. I do intend to turn this baby into pulled pork.
On the brining, though, I do brine all chicken and turkey smokes, with the exception of wings. Seems to work well in those departments.
This is a great week of smoking for me (I'm on vaca)...wings today, ribs tomorrow for neighborhood party, and then the Boston on the fourth. The #2 is getting a work out this week.