BeerBorg

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!

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

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.

You go Dave!

Congrats. You are gonna love the 10 gallon tun.

Whamolagan wrote: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.

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....

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

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.

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

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.