Beersmith v Brewers Friend

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Fozzy Beer

Beersmith v Brewers Friend

Post by Fozzy Beer » Thu Jul 10, 2014 9:06 pm

As a newbie (first AG today after 3 kits) I've used the trials on offer for both BF and Beersmith
The information I wanted (mash/sparge vols) seems quite complicated in both. Can't seem to customise equipment/process in either
Can't set-up mash+fly sparge in BF and can't set-up 32L boiler/copper and 45L tun (or not understanding terminology)
Is it me?

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thepatchworkdoll
Piss Artist
Posts: 142
Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2013 8:11 pm

Re: Beersmith v Brewers Friend

Post by thepatchworkdoll » Thu Jul 10, 2014 9:40 pm

Hey Fossy have u tried Brewmate. Its uncomplicated and easy to use. Try it mate.
Regards
Patch

killer
Lost in an Alcoholic Haze
Posts: 578
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 2:02 am
Location: Paris

Re: Beersmith v Brewers Friend

Post by killer » Thu Jul 10, 2014 9:46 pm

+1 for Brewmate

dogchillibilly
Steady Drinker
Posts: 93
Joined: Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:29 am

Re: Beersmith v Brewers Friend

Post by dogchillibilly » Thu Jul 10, 2014 9:58 pm

I am a big advocate of beer smith - used versions 1 and 2

Try this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYrHmduuJfY

Fil
Telling imaginary friend stories
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Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2011 1:49 pm
Location: Cowley, Oxford

Re: Beersmith v Brewers Friend

Post by Fil » Fri Jul 11, 2014 1:44 pm

Hi Fozzy.. as u have brewed ag once now you have an idea of your dead spaces, boil off rate, grain and hop absorption rates. all crucial info for getting the volumes spot on, BUT.. dont let it get u all tangled up.. if u oversparge consider a longer boil, and perhaps wait 20 mins or longer depending on just how much u oversparged before starting with the hop additions. likewise if u undersparge u could cut the boil to 60 mins, or just add some hlt liquor..

No 2 rigs are the same unless u bought a brewmeister ;) as u brew a few more batches everything will fall into place and the volumes needed for your rig will become evident..

but if u go a bit off target dont fret and just adjust ;)
ist update for months n months..
Fermnting: not a lot..
Conditioning: nowt
Maturing: Challenger smash, and a kit lager
Drinking: dry one minikeg left in the store
Coming Soon Lots planned for the near future nowt for the immediate :(

gibbiem

Re: Beersmith v Brewers Friend

Post by gibbiem » Fri Jul 11, 2014 3:06 pm

Beersmith is class like. Its taken me a little while plus a few brews to get it all setup correctly. Tomorrow will be my first brew following BS since its all been setup correctly so watch this space...

Fozzy Beer

Re: Beersmith v Brewers Friend

Post by Fozzy Beer » Tue Jul 15, 2014 2:06 pm

Had a look at Beermate thanks

Also took advice to view BS tutorial - have now entered my equipment :wink: !

Got a lot of inf from first brew - evap rates etc so we'll see how it goes from here

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