Brewing Software Recommendations

Get advice on making beer from raw ingredients (malt, hops, water and yeast)
jimp2003

Brewing Software Recommendations

Post by jimp2003 » Sat Feb 24, 2018 8:07 pm

Hi Everyone.

I have not brewed for a few years for various reasons and have decided to jump back in with a brewday in a few weeks time. I used to use the Brewmate calculator for putting my recipes together but my old copy of this software seems to have got corrupted and I can only find some rather suspicious looking links for downloading it on google.

What are your thoughts on the best software packages available at the moment? I am not looking for anything too complicated. I just need something to store my old recipes and help me design new brews in the future. I should say that I use all-grain and sometimes use the BIAB method.

Any help is appreciated as ever.

Cheers!!

mosquat
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Re: Brewing Software Recommendations

Post by mosquat » Sat Feb 24, 2018 8:10 pm

Beersmith for me mate


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keith1664
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Re: Brewing Software Recommendations

Post by keith1664 » Sat Feb 24, 2018 8:17 pm

Brewmate is now Brewers Friend for Windows

https://www.brewersfriend.com/windows/
In or near Norwich? Interested in meeting up monthly to talk and drink beer? PM me for details.

dbambrick996
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Re: Brewing Software Recommendations

Post by dbambrick996 » Sat Feb 24, 2018 8:20 pm

Beersmith as well

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donchiquon
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Re: Brewing Software Recommendations

Post by donchiquon » Sat Feb 24, 2018 9:45 pm

+1 for BeerSmith. Reasonably easy to pick up and seemingly endless options to customise once you know what you want to achieve.

The cloud function allows you to flip between computer and phone/tablet which is useful for Brewdays.


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kloorob
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Re: Brewing Software Recommendations

Post by kloorob » Sat Feb 24, 2018 9:56 pm

BeerSmith for me!


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wolfenrook
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Re: Brewing Software Recommendations

Post by wolfenrook » Sun Feb 25, 2018 11:56 am

Another vote for Beersmith (Beersmith 2 Android app here).

Good database of recipes you can access
Simple interface
On the phone app, the brewday timer is excellent, reminding you when to make additions etc.

The Brewers Friend desktop app (vs the web one) isn't bad and is free, but the timer is useless to me as I can't carry it with me, and I am constantly having to add the yeast I am using, newer hops etc.

I BIAB though, so I use BIABacus too. I've been known to build the recipe in BIABacus, check that it's to style in Brewers Friend, then copy it to Beersmith 2 on my phone (which checks style for me too). Mostly though I build in BIABacus, then transfer to Beersmith 2 on my phone, tweaking the recipe as I go to my preferences (as opposed to the preferences of the person who build the BIABacus spreadsheet...).

I'm slowly managing to dial in for my equipment on Beersmith 2 app though, so hopefully in time I'll be able to retire BIABacus.

dbambrick996
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Re: Brewing Software Recommendations

Post by dbambrick996 » Sun Feb 25, 2018 8:34 pm

I love beersmith mobile and mostly use this for creating and adjusting receipes and also as wolfenrock said, it is handy on brewdays with the timers and other tools etc.

Desktop is more advanced and I tweak receipes and the new water tool is really good also

dbambrick996
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Re: Brewing Software Recommendations

Post by dbambrick996 » Sun Feb 25, 2018 8:36 pm

BrewTracker is another good app for keeping track and brew notes, sample notes etc

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orlando
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Re: Brewing Software Recommendations

Post by orlando » Mon Feb 26, 2018 10:09 am

BS, regularly updated whereas many others aren't. Get a 30 day trial copy.
I am "The Little Red Brooster"

Fermenting:
Conditioning:
Drinking: Southwold Again,

Up Next: John Barleycorn (Barley Wine)
Planning: Winter drinking Beer

asd

Re: Brewing Software Recommendations

Post by asd » Mon Feb 26, 2018 2:04 pm

Beersmith.

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a-slayer
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Re: Brewing Software Recommendations

Post by a-slayer » Mon Feb 26, 2018 4:32 pm

Graham's Beer engine will do all that you need, free and simple. Available from a link from JBK.
I use it to create and store my recipes.

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Normski
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Re: Brewing Software Recommendations

Post by Normski » Tue Feb 27, 2018 12:19 am

I've tried most available and still I keep just using Graham's Beer Engine.
Does all I need.
The Doghouse Brewery (UK)

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gr_baker
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Re: Brewing Software Recommendations

Post by gr_baker » Tue Feb 27, 2018 9:45 am

I'm using the brewing software that Grainfather have for free on their website http://brew.grainfather.com/

It's simple and free although not as feature packed as Beersmith. It can import and export recipes via Beer XML so if you later decide to move to Beersmith you can move your recipes across.

Dave S
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Re: Brewing Software Recommendations

Post by Dave S » Tue Feb 27, 2018 11:01 am

I use BS. The only thing that stops me using Beer Engine is the lack of a notes feature. I use Note extensively in BS to record the entire brew day. Otherwise Beer Engine is brilliant, and it works in LDK, not pp(american)g. Pity we won't be getting any more updates to that any more :cry:
Best wishes

Dave

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