Beersmith 2...yay or nay?

[GeorgiaTiger]

What say you? Is it worth it? Is this just a big recipe database? Tell me why I should get it..

 

[Sadu]

I wouldn't be without it. I generally canvas the web for a style then make my own recipe from the common elements. I'm always subbing grain or hops based on what I have available. Beersmith makes designing or altering recipes real easy. I also use it for recording notes against each batch but never use it for downloading or sharing recipes.

 

[brewbama]

It's kind of quirky to set up IMHO but it does help keep track of the recipe, strike, mash, sparge, ferment temps, notes, etc. just a big database ...but helpful.

 

[Oginme]

It does have a trial period and I would highly suggest using it. It takes a bit of work and a few brews to really dial in the software to mimic your particular process, but once you do it works great.

I would recommend getting it if:

You like to design your own recipes,
You find that your efficiency is greatly different from that of published recipes you follow,
You like to mess around and tweak recipes to suit your taste,

If you just like to follow recipe kits or published recipes and find that you are pretty close enough just by following their directions, then it is nice, but not needed. There are other software packages, on-line calculators that may better suit your needs.

 

[IslandLizard]

What the others said.

I use it to formulate and tweak found recipes to my brew system. It's pretty much spot on once you've entered the correct variables. It's very easy to scale a recipe up or down, or adjust gravity, bitterness, etc. I can't see using anything else. It can keep your inventories too, but I prefer to use Excel for that.

The interface takes a bit of getting used to, and it has some quirks, but the program works as promised and does it very well. Follow the tutorials. You can store unlimited recipes on your computer, without recurring subscription fees for cloud storage as you would with online recipe designers.

Definitely use the 2 week free trial, and I mean USE it, so you can thoroughly evaluate the program before deciding to pay for it. When you decide it is for you, you can find it discounted for $20.

 

[MidAtlanticBrew]

I'm a big fan of Beersmith. For me, there's no $20 item that has had a bigger positive impact on my beer. It does all the calculations in recipe generation and compares to style guidlines, enables inventory management, provides a Brew log, etc.

Yeah I could do all of this in a spreadsheet or on paper but why? The free trial is nice but I'd suggest you have to dive into it to get the most use out of it. I've used it for 10 brews and I'm still learning new features.

And now the minor problem!!!! I was a ProMash user before Beersmith. Promash is defunct.... These micro software companies eventually go out of business and then you have to limp along as long as you can, and eventually transitioning to another product. In BS, you can export you recipes as neutral files which will be helpful someday I suppose.

 

[thunderwagn]

I know Beersmith seems to be the _norm_, but I'm not a fan. I much prefer Brewers Friend over it. In the long run, I know BS is cheaper, but I like the fact of it (brewers friend) being cloud based and available to me anywhere at anytime on any of my devices. I also think the learning curve is less steep and more user friendly in general. I also like the interface more. It seems much more up to date imo. I like the timer better, brew log features, etc. To me, bf just suits my style better.
But yeah, for sure use the free trial period of BS.

 

[aangel]

Once you figure it out - it'll do *EVERYTHING* for you. Calculate the water salts you need to add, recipe creation and modification, hop calculations, *everything*. You can track your inventory, track recipe versions and tasting notes...it's basically a whole-brewery management system in one.

That said, there's a learning curve and the interface isn't completely intuitive. You really do need to look through their tutorial videos to make effective use of the tool. It's hands-down the best software out there!

 

[pricelessbrewing]

Once you figure it out - it'll do *EVERYTHING* for you. Calculate the water salts you need to add, recipe creation and modification, hop calculations, *everything*. You can track your inventory, track recipe versions and tasting notes...it's basically a whole-brewery management system in one.

That said, there's a learning curve and the interface isn't completely intuitive. You really do need to look through their tutorial videos to make effective use of the tool. It's hands-down the best software out there!

Not quite everything. THere are a few things it doesn't do very accurately.

Mash ph formulas are out of date, and less accurate then bru'n water.
Refractomer calculations are out of date and less accurate then sean terrillls formulas.
Water volumes are almost accurate, temperature of thermal expansion is a fixed input formula and not a continuous adjustment.
Efficiency formula ignores grain moisture content, so it will read about 2-4% higher than true, but almost every software does that.

IBU formuls are a modification of Tinseth, and aren't accurate for anything above 70 calculated IBU. Late additions and hop stands are not handled accurately either.

 

[Kharnynb]

I use the brewer's friend free windows software, it's basic and not as fancy, but it actually contains more grains etc that are useful for me, as it has a better european database.

maybe when i get far enough to do a real water analysis and start messing more with those parameters, i might concider it.

 

[MidAtlanticBrew]

Wow, nice insights.... you didn't mention it but you provided a link to a better yeast calc. I find the BS yeast calculator terrible. Algorythm isn't clear, no option for 2 step, no Troester option. I don't mind going to an outside calculator, but an easy improvement for BS would be in this area.

Not quite everything. THere are a few things it doesn't do very accurately.

Mash ph formulas are out of date, and less accurate then bru'n water.
Refractomer calculations are out of date and less accurate then sean terrillls formulas.
Water volumes are almost accurate, temperature of thermal expansion is a fixed input formula and not a continuous adjustment.
Efficiency formula ignores grain moisture content, so it will read about 2-4% higher than true, but almost every software does that.

IBU formuls are a modification of Tinseth, and aren't accurate for anything above 70 calculated IBU. Late additions and hop stands are not handled accurately either.

 

[pricelessbrewing]

Good point. To expand, BS2 uses the formulas from mr. malty. Which while popular are not very good. They overestimate the size of starters required, giving lower growth rates that can be expected. The better formulas are those from Braukaiser /troeser as these have been confirmed by other yeast labs and brewers with counting equipment. Better still will be the strain specific (or strain family grouping based on cell size, flocculation, and other parameters) growth rate formulas I initially heard whispers of that Omega Yeast Labs were going to publish. It's been about a year since I've heard anything from them though so not sure if it was abandoned or not with their recent growing spurts (partnership with a major online lhbs and relocating their facilities).

 

[Bassman2003]

Yay for me. It is $20 for a world of brewery management. Plus Brad is very active and responsive, so he deserves the financial reward.

No brainer!

 

[mclardass]

Highly recommended if you're an AG brewer and not a recipe database (although you can certainly use it that way). I rely on it for every brew, designing my own or tweaking others, and use the mobile app while actually brewing. There are weaknesses but I've tried the others and still come back to BS (along with help from bru'n water). The mobile app (I have the paid version) is long past due for an update but it gets the work done on most brew days. Brad is very responsive to problems and has been adding new features based on user feedback. With all of the newest ingredient updates I can usually find most malts although you can always add missing ones as needed.

 

[phendog]

Best $20 spent for brewing to date. Wouldn't be without it.

 

[NivBrew]

Just picked up a copy from Williams Brewing for $11.99

 

[kh54s10]

Just remember it is a tool. You will have to learn how to use it. Look at all the video tutorials (several times) and work on your equipment profile. There are easier online recipe builders but they do not go very far into depth.

Brewers Friend has been expanded since I got BS and I have not taken a good look. They are similar. BS, I believe is working on a more modern version. If so it will most likely be a lot more user friendly and versatile.

I would highly suggest Beersmith.