All Grain Set Up

I have completed my all-grain set up today and it was much cheaper than if I would have paid retail. I got two 10 gallon igloo coolers both with new fitted turn valves and a decent sparging arm. The sparging arm is comprised of PVC and cooper tubing. The water flows through the tubing and rotates around the grain bed while the PVC acts as the frame that rests on the lid of the cooler. This is perfect because you want a homogenous spraying of sparge water on your grain bed or else you are not going to get the best extract possible.

The only thing I need to get is a false bottom because there is a small 1/2 inch by 5 inch extract drainer which I do not think will cut it. The perfect false bottom would be circular and take up the entirety of the bottom of the mash tun in order to get quick and stuck free extraction of the wort.

What it came with is pictured below.

Here is the price list for what I've gotten so far:

15.5 gallon keggle with awesome hop strainer, thermometer, and SS ball valve.......$175

58000 BTU propane burner with stand that can be fitted to use natural gas............$65

10 Gallon Hot Liqour Tank with new plastic ball valve.................................................$50

10 Gallon Mash Tun with "liquid extractor", sparging arm, and new ball valve........$50

WHAT I NEED

New circular false bottom to fit the cooler........$50

So far I have spent less than half of what I was expecting spend and I got it all on craigslist. I think the first beer I want to make using this system is a Hobgoblin clone since I can not find it in this town and I love that beer.

Also today was a big day for job progress since I went and talked to the brewers at Three Creeks in Sisters. They are hiring for a part time keg washer starting this summer and I know that it would be a perfect position for me to get my foot in the door somewhere and to get some real world experience. Wish me luck!

Old Mill Brew Werks

Yesterday I went to Old Mill BrewWerks to attend a "leads" meeting that was advertised on Craigslist. This is a beer bar very close to my house.

Old Mill Brew-Werks is a new addition to the beer scene in Bend. With a full bar, delicious selection of beers from around the globe. Including one of my personal favorites that is only found in bottles generally. Their prices ranging from 4-9 dollars and they have plans slated for starting their own brewery right outside of town in Terrebonne, I expect this place to be around for a while. The exterior is reminiscent of a dental office but once you enter the door you get an immediate feel like you are entering a domain for beer. The bartender/owner is helpful with getting you the right beer or drink for you and willing to answer any question that pops into your mind. He even helped find a local band to go see down the street.

The interior is set up like you are sitting in a gnomes house. I was hoping that this would be a great way to do some networking for employment in "anything" beer related or just a way to make a brewing buddy. I'm pretty sure I did both. Only time can tell though. I was offered a "job" which basically just means that they want me to help find any kind of grants for their up and coming brewery. I might do this, but I also might not, it doesn't really sound like something I want to do.