Beer! (because if we've got booty, we need grog)

I took off from work two hours early (not really, I was still well over forty hours considering that whole 'working for the weekend' post) and zoomed home to make my first batch of home brew in months. I hate it when I don't have time to brew - but in the summer I'd rather be bicycling, so it's more of a winter thing. I consider today's brewing stocking up for the winter so I have beer to drink while brewing more beer. I tried once again to use the electric stove and decided once again that that is the most idiotic way to brew beer ever devised - even with two bicycle spokes holding the pot off the flat burner (I like to mix my hobbies) I still get some burning without getting enough real heat - it's just not controllable enough and it takes an extra hour or two longer than it should. I have a propane-powered ministove Jen gave me for father's day that I'm going to try out in a very opened up garage when it gets cold enough out (I'd feel as dumb as a dead guy can feel if I suffocated in a garage-related brewing accident).

For those of you who haven't seen my home brew set up in action, it is below, dutifully protected from bright light, including my camera's flash. The house smells delicious by the way - hops and malt brewed for 3+ hours on the stove...heavenly. Tonight's brew of the moment is:

Mrs. Field's Oatmeal Stout (a kit)
6# dark LME Malt Extract
8 oz. rolled oats
4 oz. chocolate malt
4 oz. roasted barley (last three pre mixed, but I crushed them myself)
1 oz. Fuggle Pellet Hops (alpha acid 4.4%) - Eryn hates the smell, it's definitely a girl problem
Wyeast Irish Ale #1084

I was supposed to put it in a 6.5 gallon carboy, but I only have a 5 gallon, so it should be a little heavy on the alcohol when all is said and done.