So, I'm pretty sure the culprit is the US-05 that I have no idea is from when (at least a year old). After 2 weeks it is stuck (separate readings 3 days apart) at 1.030.
My options (limited to what I have on hand) are:
-New packet of US-05
-Packet of Nottingham that expires in September...
I did read most of this, but I wanted to post something I didn't see (and because I feel the exact same way about having people over for the whole brew). Why not have him come over half way through the process? It sounds like you don't mind hanging out, you just don't feel like doing it for 4...
When I did extract I did this all the time with ice made in sanitized tupperware containers, sealed, in my freezer. I used no more than a quart in each container so that it would melt more rapidly, and I used enough to top off my wort in the fermenter.
For anyone that's interested, I strongly recommend trying Yards brewery's Thomas Jefferson Tavern Ale. They say that it is based on his recipe, and its a part of their outstanding Ales of the Revolution series. Fantastic beer from an incredibly underrated brewery.
I just got a kit from them without the tank. I just emailed them, they sent me a quote, and then I called and placed the order. Took all of 5 minutes, everything came quickly, and I have two kegs of beer sitting in my fridge.