brew day documentation

[m1k3]

Hi All-

I always try to take good notes and then I transcribe them into BeerSmith2.

This time I inserted some brew day photos along with the brew day notes and share with by homebrewing (or at least beer loving friends).

Anyway, let me know what you think of this PDF.

Does it have enough info?
What do you document?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pnjv33tfs93n1nb/3-22-14%20Brew%20Day%20with%20photos%20and%20BrewSmith2.pdf

 

[LovesIPA]

I use an excel spreadsheet template that I created. It lets me keep all the important brewing information in one concise, clean place. Over the course of a year or so I've tweaked it to automatically calculate a lot of things. It's very handy.

BeerSmith doesn't always let me easily record all the information I want, for example there is no place to enter amounts of brewing salts to the mash and/or strike water.

Edit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_byDjUU_lcWR012QUZhVURmcVE/edit?usp=sharing

 

[m1k3]

I use an excel spreadsheet template that I created. It lets me keep all the important brewing information in one concise, clean place. Over the course of a year or so I've tweaked it to automatically calculate a lot of things. It's very handy.

I am a big fan of MS Excel. I like that idea. I have never really had a brew day log (as you can see in the photo) I just write on the BeerSmith2 recipe sheet... and then move, to the back of the sheet, and then a notebook... that is why I end up transcribing the random notes.

Thanks! That inspires me to start a log sheet that I can put into MS Excel and BeerSmith2.

 

[Woodbrews]

I use an excel spreadsheet template that I created. It lets me keep all the important brewing information in one concise, clean place. Over the course of a year or so I've tweaked it to automatically calculate a lot of things. It's very handy.

BeerSmith doesn't always let me easily record all the information I want, for example there is no place to enter amounts of brewing salts to the mash and/or strike water.

I've also been looking for a way to keep notes on brew days -- I've just been creating a Google doc so I can refer back to it as I make process improvements. Of course, there are multiple points in the process that require some sort of calculation (I do BIAB), such as yeast starters, water volumes, OG corrections, ABV, etc. For those calcs I just refer to outside calculators. It would be much cleaner to keep it one spreadsheet. Would you be willing to share a copy of yours (blank)? Thanks!

 

[LovesIPA]

If you PM me your e-mail address I'll send it to you.

I will work on putting it on google docs too.

Edit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_byDjUU_lcWR012QUZhVURmcVE/edit?usp=sharing

 

[BrewWNC]

I enjoyed the brew log and your setup is quite nice. I'm going to try the silicone over the handle.

 

[acidrain]

I have a template that includes spaces for all the numbers and some lines for notes, but I don't go too overboard as I want to balance good note taking with a pleasant brew day. I don't takes pictures... that is going a little too far.
At the end of the day, I enter all the volumes and SG's into Beersmith to see how I did efficiency-wise.

 

[m1k3]

I enjoyed the brew log and your setup is quite nice. I'm going to try the silicone over the handle.

Thanks! I really could not have put together my system and mastered my process so quickly without homebrew talk, brew strong, and brewing TV. Everyone has been very generous with what they know. In fact, the 1/2" tubing over the kettle valve handle was something I saw posted!

 

[abeasst]

I enter all my notes into ibrewmaster2 for each batch I brew.

 

[m1k3]

I enter all my notes into ibrewmaster2 for each batch I brew.

I am going to give BeerSmith 2 Mobile a try. I just downloaded it. This is the first time I have ever paid for an android app... but even if it doesn't fit my workflow it's worth the "donation" to Brad to keep up the podcast!