Found money/free stuff

[FedoraDave]

Last night was the final night of my bowling league. We came up in second place, and I'm not upset about it, partly because the first-place team is really good and partly because it happens to be my son's team, and I know it means a lot to him to have a first-place plaque.

But anyhoo, since it was the final night of the season, the Strike Ball jackpot was a roll-till-you-win proposition. I always buy a roll of tickets, and last night I bought two rolls, just to increase my chances. Well, after about four drawings with no strike thrown, my number came up, and I actually got a strike! It wasn't pretty, but it was a strike, and I won $300!

So today I was planning on shopping at my LHBS for my next two batches, and I decided it was time to buy a 10-gallon mash tun. I've got a 5-gallon, but it's just not big enough for a couple of my recipes, and I have a feeling I'll be making a few more larger ABV beers before too long. So my whole order, with the mash tun and the ingredients for my next two batches, came to around $270. Paid for by a single lucky ball in bowling the night before.

Oh, and I also decided it was time to buy a new bowling ball, especially since the Pro Shop is having a 20% off sale through the end of May. As it happens, I had asked my wife last weekend to take all the spare change I've collected and get it converted to cash. It came to $124. My new ball? $120.

Yeah, found money, and free stuff. Ya gotta love it. Gonna use my new mash tun next week when I brew a batch of FedoraDave's American Ale! And I'm gonna practice with my new bowling ball all summer, so I can get my technique set for next season!

[Inkleg]

Sometimes it just all falls together! Congratulations to both you and your son with the bowling!!

[FedoraDave]

My team was first last year, and my son's was second. So we just changed places this year, and that's both okey and dokey with me. Like I said, I know it means a lot to him to have a first-place plaque, and his team is a darn good one. They earned their championship.

[Beer-lord]

You go Dave!

[Whamolagan]

Congrats. You are gonna love the 10 gallon tun.

[FedoraDave]

Congrats. You are gonna love the 10 gallon tun.

I bet I will. And I'm thinking that the 5 gallon tun might be used for 2.5 gallon batches, instead of BIAB, which is what I'm doing now.

It's all part of the evolution.

[FedoraDave]

My biggest concern is where I'm going to put it during the mash/runoff. I could fit the five gallon tun on a step-stool and put the pot on the floor. The larger tun does not fit on the step-stool, so I'm thinking it'll have to go on the counter, which is fine, but I may have to stand on the step-stool to put the strike water in and perform the mash-in and the sparges. I'm not sure I have the chops or the back strength to lift it from the floor to the counter when it's full of water and grain. I guess I'll find out next weekend....

[Dawg LB Steve]

Nice Dave! Two seasons ago, two lucky shots ($938) got me my pump, counterflow chiller, cam locks, etc....! Love when stuff like that happens.

[FedoraDave]

Steve, that's a nice score! A couple weeks ago, I won the 50/50 raffle on bowling night. That, combined with having a full Frequent Shopper ticket at my LHBS prompted me to get a new grain mill. I'm loving my Cereal Killer! I'm sure I'll love my mega-mash tun, too. Time to formulate some higher ABV beer recipes.

[Whamolagan]

I always put mine on the counter and used a hose to go into the boiling pot to avoid splashing during the lauter.

[FedoraDave]

I occurred to me that I might also be able to bring up the removable portion of my bottling bench. I just have to see how easily I can take it up the stairs into the kitchen. That would be my most preferred option, as it's low enough for me to work comfortably with it.