BeerSmith 3: Here it comes. Thoughts?

[GoeHaarden]

I have a gold subscription so my upgrade from BS2 to BS3 was free

May I ask how it was free? I have BS2


Annnndddd for everyone else, so whats the consensus? Is it worth it to upgrade to BS3 from BS2? Subscription vs Basic?

 

[kh54s10]

To upgrade for free from BS2 to BS3 you have to have purchased BS2 recently. It says on the site what the cutoff date is.

I feel it was worth it to upgrade. I went with the Gold subscription for the cloud. Time will tell if I use it enough. I lost all my recipes to a computer crash a couple years ago. Fortunately I also print them out. But then again, I haven't brewed exactly the same recipe twice yet. 101 batches. IMO, there are enough tweaks to make it worth the upgrade.

 

[GoeHaarden]

To upgrade for free from BS2 to BS3 you have to have purchased BS2 recently. It says on the site what the cutoff date is.

I feel it was worth it to upgrade. I went with the Gold subscription for the cloud. Time will tell if I use it enough. I lost all my recipes to a computer crash a couple years ago. Fortunately I also print them out. But then again, I haven't brewed exactly the same recipe twice yet. 101 batches. IMO, there are enough tweaks to make it worth the upgrade.

Gotcha. Thanks. I just found it on the site, no go for me. But I'm sure I waste more that $10/year on stupid stuff so I can justify it I suppose.

Also, I can't find it on the site. Does the subscription version require internet connection post-download/install?

 

[murphyslaw]

May I ask how it was free? I have BS2


Annnndddd for everyone else, so whats the consensus? Is it worth it to upgrade to BS3 from BS2? Subscription vs Basic?

If you have the cloud subscription, the upgrade is free.

 

[kh54s10]

Also, I can't find it on the site. Does the subscription version require internet connection post-download/install?

Once downloaded and unlocked, you only need the internet to move things in and out of the "cloud". Otherwise it works pretty much the same as BS2

If you have the cloud subscription, the upgrade is free.

Only if you bought BS2 fairly recently. The cutoff date is on the BS website.

 

[GoeHaarden]

Once downloaded and unlocked, you only need the internet to move things in and out of the "cloud". Otherwise it works pretty much the same as BS2

Awesome. Thanks. I bit the bullet...

 

[murphyslaw]

Only if you bought BS2 fairly recently. The cutoff date is on the BS website.

No, those are two different things.

• • Existing Gold/Platinum/Professional Members – Have automatically had a BeerSmith 3 license installed in their cloud account for their current term. I will also update the accounts once more before the launch date. No action is needed on your part, and you do not need to pay separately for an upgrade.
  • Recent BeerSmith 2 Purchasers: If you bought BeerSmith 2 after 15 October 2017 you can use this link to get a free 12 month Gold membership. Log in and enter your activation key (from Help->Activate in BeerSmith 2) and the system will apply install your BeerSmith 3 license in your account.
  • Older BeerSmith 2 Licenses: We are offering a substantial pre-order discount on BeerSmith 3 now. I believe most existing users can find an affordable plan below. I intend to close the pre-order pricing out by the end of June, so act now.

http://beersmith.com/blog/2018/06/03/beersmith-3-pricing-and-preorder-discount-open-now/

I bought BS2 5 years ago. I got BS3 free because I have a gold subscription.

 

[kh54s10]

No, those are two different things.



I bought BS2 5 years ago. I got BS3 free because I have a gold subscription.

Ah yes, I forgot about the older cloud subscription. I didn't have it. And didn't know that they had a gold/platinum/pro designation for it.

 

[Brewers Hardware]

I'm digging the new features. Going to give the subscription a shot.

 

[murphyslaw]

I'm digging the new features. Going to give the subscription a shot.

The subscription is worth it if you like using the mobile app. Its really just lets you sync recipes across platforms.

 

[sbsmann]

So I got an email saying the discounted upgrade price of $9.95 is good until July 5th. I already have Beersmith 2 (2.3.12) and assume this $9.95 gets me the upgrade to version 3? Or is that upgrade just a temporary thing? I can't quite figure it all out from the somewhat confusing email. If the upgrade is just temporary and then I have to re-buy Beersmith version 3, then I assume just stay on 2.3.12 bc it does what I need. Please HELP me understand!

 

[alestateyall]

So I got an email saying the discounted upgrade price of $9.95 is good until July 5th. I already have Beersmith 2 (2.3.12) and assume this $9.95 gets me the upgrade to version 3? Or is that upgrade just a temporary thing? I can't quite figure it all out from the somewhat confusing email. If the upgrade is just temporary and then I have to re-buy Beersmith version 3, then I assume just stay on 2.3.12 bc it does what I need. Please HELP me understand!

The deal I took was to buy one year subscription to the cloud service for $9.95 which comes with a one year license to BS3. After one year, I either have to pay $14.95 for another year, buy BS3, or loose access to BS3.

 

[sbsmann]

The deal I took was to buy one year subscription to the cloud service for $9.95 which comes with a one year license to BS3. After one year, I either have to pay $14.95 for another year, buy BS3, or loose access to BS3.

So do we know how much BS3 costs for a license? And is there any discount for existing users of BS2 or do we basically have to re-buy the entire license again for BS3?

 

[sbsmann]

Actually after going to the checkout page I finally see a good explanation. There appears to be no "deal" or price-break to upgrade from the previous version to the new. I essentially have to pay $24.95 again for BS3. So no thanks. Version 2 works fine as is for me. They need to figure out a way to simply upgrade people once they pay for it and not keep making them re-buy new versions unless it is a actually a complete re-write of the software with significant improvements (ie new GUI, Internet based access, etc).

 

[day_trippr]

BS2 was released in May 2011. I wouldn't expect to receive BS3 for gratis 7 years later, but that's just my thinking on the matter.
There is the option of a subscription that will cover any upgrade through that period, minor or major.
You just have to decide what the odds are that BS4 will appear during the subscription period - or if enhanced cloud functions are worth the premiums.

I don't need the BS cloud beyond the minimum, I only use it to move recipes to my tablet and back, and I don't expect to see BS4 for at least 5 years. So going with the one-time license fee seemed right...

Cheers!

 

[kevin58]

Actually after going to the checkout page I finally see a good explanation. There appears to be no "deal" or price-break to upgrade from the previous version to the new. I essentially have to pay $24.95 again for BS3. So no thanks. Version 2 works fine as is for me. They need to figure out a way to simply upgrade people once they pay for it and not keep making them re-buy new versions unless it is a actually a complete re-write of the software with significant improvements (ie new GUI, Internet based access, etc).

The $9.95 price for a gold subscription is most definitely a "deal" seeing as how the normal price of a gold subscription is $14.95. BS3 is a new re-write and the improvements are well worth it imho.

Keep in mind that eventually support for BS2 will come to an end. If you like it as is and are OK with no future updates then stay with BS2. If you like being able to store only 15 recipes in the cloud stay with BS2 or the one time basic level.

However I found that having the ability to store 125 recipes a big bonus and worth a yearly subscription. That, plus the cloud archive can be a lifesaver. All the changes you make to your recipes are archived automatically. If you make a recipe today that you like then tweak it later but mess it up you can go back to the archive and rescue it.

I find the water tool to be much easier to use in 3 than in 2. Just select your base water... add a target and the additions you need to match that target are added right into your recipe.

I use multiple style guidelines including a custom one that I made for my 1800's beers. In BS2 you can only load one guideline at a time. In 3 you can choose multiple guidelines so I can have BJCP 2015 alongside my custom Victorian Era guideline.

 

[Nagorg]

Its a "major" upgrade. Buy the annual subscription if you want to always be on the latest version without "purchasing" it again. This is the subscription model that so many sofware vendors are moving to for a steady revenue stream. Even though I dont *like* it, I dont blame the developers for trying to monetize their IP with at least a degree of protection from the cracks out there.

 

[kh54s10]

Actually after going to the checkout page I finally see a good explanation. There appears to be no "deal" or price-break to upgrade from the previous version to the new. I essentially have to pay $24.95 again for BS3. So no thanks. Version 2 works fine as is for me. They need to figure out a way to simply upgrade people once they pay for it and not keep making them re-buy new versions unless it is a actually a complete re-write of the software with significant improvements (ie new GUI, Internet based access, etc).

This is a significant re-write. There are a lot of new features. The GUI could be better but it is much more powerful than BS2. If you want BS3 at a lower price than $24.95, wait a while and look for it on homebrew suppliers sites. One in particular had BS2 significantly less than I from Beersmith. I had BS2 without the extra cloud space, my computer crashed and I lost my saved recipes and about 15 that I had started to formulate but hadn't brewed. The cost of a subscription is not so great that I want to give up the use of the cloud. At least so far.

 

[day_trippr]

wrt archiving recipes: one can mirror the BS user folder (on a peecee, typically ...\My Documents\BeerSmith3) to a Google Drive folder and never lose anything...

Cheers!

 

[mpmccann]

So as far as PH, it seems as if Bru'n Water would have been even farther off the mark?

No actually Bru'n Water Is closer to correct, meaning I need to add less lactic acid then BS3 calls for. When I added what BS3 called for my pH dropped below normal range. If I would have added what Bru'n Water called for the pH would not have dropped as low and most likely would have ended up in the 5.3ish range.

 

[dyllaaan]

While a bit of a work around, if you are primarily interested in cloud access to recipes, you can use OneDrive or, presumably, any other storage service and a symbolic link.

I backed up the BeerSmith2 folder out of my Documents directory and placed a copy in my OneDrive folder. Delete the BeerSmith2 directory from Documents then create a symbolic junction* and I now have the recipes, settings, etc. automatically updated between devices and my OneDrive cloud space.

*in command prompt:

mklink /j "C:\Users\[USER NAME]\Documents\BeerSmith2" "[DIRECTORY PATH TO CLOUD STORAGE]\BeerSmith2"​

 

[day_trippr]

Note, however, that the mobile BS version is unable to load .bsmx files, so using OneDrive or GoogleDrive doesn't completely replace the BS cloud functionality ...

Cheers!

 

[alestateyall]

Note, however, that the mobile BS version is unable to load .bsmx files, so using OneDrive or GoogleDrive doesn't completely replace the BS cloud functionality ...

Cheers!

Right. I want to have my recipes accessible via both the BeerSmith PC and mobile versions. Only the BeerSmith cloud provides that functionality.

 

[noiz2]

Actually after going to the checkout page I finally see a good explanation. There appears to be no "deal" or price-break to upgrade from the previous version to the new. I essentially have to pay $24.95 again for BS3. So no thanks. Version 2 works fine as is for me. They need to figure out a way to simply upgrade people once they pay for it and not keep making them re-buy new versions unless it is a actually a complete re-write of the software with significant improvements (ie new GUI, Internet based access, etc).

Well I would disagree with the "no deal". I'm not sure what the new retail price will be but I paid $28 seven years ago for BS2. Just adding cost of living increases would put that price well above $25. So I'm guessing this is a 30% to 50% discount over what is list.

That said if BS2 works fine for you then not a lot of push to update. Other than support for a developer who's software you use. I got a lot more value than the $4 a year BS2 cost me. And Brad did a number of updates that fixed issues I had. I assume others had similar issues, but the point is the software had continuing development and bug fixes.


Personally I'm fine with BS2, it does most of what I want and BS3 might not add anything I desperately need, but I bought the upgrade when it was announced because this is software I want to support. I might find I love the changes, but I updated to support the development.

I don't use the cloud except for occasional recipe transfers, and I use this antique thing called a "backup" so I'm not that worried about loosing all my history. But my general workflow is to develop the recipe in BS. Print it out and take notes on brew-day, measurements and the odd substitution, transfer that into my handy BASIC BREWING LOG BOOK and eventually update BS. I use my own software for BRIX to SG conversion (though maybe if BS3 has updated the formula I can do it in BS?), so those are the numbers I enter into the log book.

Convoluted? A bit. The Log book is great for following the year and looking at what I was brewing when, and it has more notes, BS is great for searching and developing recipe's and as a safety backup of the log books.

 

[cat007]

I can't help but think if the designers of the UI really enjoy using Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 so modelled off that. It has that look and feel to it. Pretty cheap for a Beer ERP system IMO.

 

[sbsmann]

Well I would disagree with the "no deal". I'm not sure what the new retail price will be but I paid $28 seven years ago for BS2. Just adding cost of living increases would put that price well above $25. So I'm guessing this is a 30% to 50% discount over what is list.

That said if BS2 works fine for you then not a lot of push to update. Other than support for a developer who's software you use. I got a lot more value than the $4 a year BS2 cost me. And Brad did a number of updates that fixed issues I had. I assume others had similar issues, but the point is the software had continuing development and bug fixes.


Personally I'm fine with BS2, it does most of what I want and BS3 might not add anything I desperately need, but I bought the upgrade when it was announced because this is software I want to support. I might find I love the changes, but I updated to support the development.

I don't use the cloud except for occasional recipe transfers, and I use this antique thing called a "backup" so I'm not that worried about loosing all my history. But my general workflow is to develop the recipe in BS. Print it out and take notes on brew-day, measurements and the odd substitution, transfer that into my handy BASIC BREWING LOG BOOK and eventually update BS. I use my own software for BRIX to SG conversion (though maybe if BS3 has updated the formula I can do it in BS?), so those are the numbers I enter into the log book.

Convoluted? A bit. The Log book is great for following the year and looking at what I was brewing when, and it has more notes, BS is great for searching and developing recipe's and as a safety backup of the log books.

Yeah, I guess my main point is that it still looks and acts the same as an old out of date Windows app from 1995. Don't get me wrong, it still provides value and works well, but this upgrade should have involved some type of web based services and/or a new updated look to the app (not just the toolbar color). As a software developer myself for the last 25 years I've seen plenty of compelling reasons to not fall too far behind the times and I could probably write a book about that. Because I support and like this app, I upgraded to BS3, but it didn't do much of anything for me and I knew that going into it. If the goal was just to keep the small customer base continuing to use and support the application, then mission accomplished I suppose.

 

[IslandLizard]

I've decided to sit this one out. Maybe I'll buy a new version (again) in the future, when the UI received its well deserved overhaul.

BS2 does what I need it to do, except for whirlpool hop bittering calculations, and putting them in a weird order. I can live with that while I'll create my own empirically derived qualitative whirlpool temp and time tables.

 

[passedpawn]

I can't help but think if the designers of the UI really enjoy using Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 so modelled off that. It has that look and feel to it.

Wow you are SO right!

 

[day_trippr]

It was the horror show of a gui that kept me from investing in BS for the longest time. It did not portend well for actual use. The default presentation had all kinds of duplications that made the first impression a mess.

I finally bit the bullet when I finished my latest rig and realized all that stainless steel was going to make strike temperatures a major challenge. Took on the learning curve, forced myself to go through a bunch of simulated brews, finally figured I was good to launch. Very comfortable with it now (though I avoid the obviously flawed tools and use alternatives for them).

That's a daunting scenario for new users to deal with.
But...I don't know that I'd want to relearn it all if it was "fixed"

Cheers!

 

[mpmccann]

I brewed my second batch using BS3 on the 4th of July. We'll call it Independence IPA... Anyway, this batch seems to be going a lot better then my first batch did. I still had to use less citric acid then BS3 called for, but I kinda had this amount dialed in from the time I was using bru'n water. Long story short, I know about how much I need to fall into the desired range I was shooting for, my pH meter verified this, and all was good. I also realized that I needed to go back and re-calibrate my PID's and temp probes because I doubled checked my temps with a handheld thermometer, (freshly calibrated) and discovered that my temps were way low like 5 degrees off. I suspect this was the culprit when my gravity came in low during my first brew with BS3. The moral to this story is, these programs are very very good at getting the brewer in the ballpark, but you will always need to tweak them to fit your system and or needs as a brew-master. And never just assume your thermometers are always reading the correct temps because it is easy to become lackadaisical over time like I did. Happy Brewing!!!