BrewToad Or BeerSmith *Worth it*?

[tim_s]

Hi Everyone,

Ok, this is a wide open topic.

Right now I am actually shopping around on HomeBrewTalk for my recipes and I just follow along and I have not had much trouble from this process. I have come across many people using a program call BeerSmith, which on the outlook - seems decent. Along the way I came across brewtoad and my question is: Do they offer any value if I am just pulling my recipes from HomeBrewTalk already?

 

[NervousDad]

Yes they are worth it They let you fit the recipe to your system, which makes a huge difference.

 

[Michigan_Wolfman]

Somewhere down the road, you may find you want to create your own recipes. In that case, brewing software is definitely a valuable tool to have in your set up. As to whether you choose BrewSmith or Brewtoad, that will likely be a matter of personal preference based on which program seems best suited for you.

 

[CGish]

You might also look at brewers friend.

I use BeerSmith because that is what I started with. These programs allow you to set up an equipment profile, scale recipes, and adapt to your taste while providing a built-in record keeping system.

You can do all of this by hand or with one of the various excel spreadsheets here on HBT as well.

You just need to find a system that works for you, fine-tune it, and stick with it.

BeerSmith allows me to quickly take a recipe from HBT, adapt it to a 1.5 gallon stove top batch, and then scale it to a 5 or 10 gallon batch if I like the results.

With a simple copy and paste, I can adapt or change recipes without losing the originals.

I like BeerSmith, but there are other excellent options out there.

Good Luck,
Cody

 

[cshamilton]

I'm a big fan of brewtoad. I think the interface is prettier and more intuitive, plus it's free unless you want premium features. Brewsmith has more features and since you install the software it works even if your internet is out.

One nice thing about Brewtoad is that it's really easier to create a variant of someone's recipe (copy and if desired tweak).

 

[Firewalker11]

BrewSmith all the way! It's worth every penny.

 

[tracyk]

I use both BrewSmith and Brewers Friend. They both have their differences that I like. Easy to scale recipes with BrewSmith, but if I am out brewing in the shop I do prefer the mobile app that Brewers Friend has to offer. They both offer a trial version, so download them and see which one you like best, then go with it.

 

[brewprint]

I won a copy of beersmith but honestly I would've probably bought it.

I like it because I have all of the recipes that I've done and will do in one place. I can modify and make calculations easy.

I'm not sure what the cost is with brewtoad or how it compares. What I do know is that beersmith is lacking BIGTIME on BIAB for mash profiles and just biab in general.

That being said I still like to use it as a baseline for my recipes. I still use the priceless biab calculator to figure out kettle height and for verification.

 

[Oginme]

If the brewing software is worth it or not depends upon how and what you brew:

If you get pre-assembled kits, you can get by easily without the software,
if you design your own recipes, the software will save you lots and lots of calculations,
if you are using recipes posted here on HBT (or other on-line recipe files), it will most likely be very helpful,
if you get much better or much worse efficiency than normal, it will be very helpful,
if you need to change a recipe to your particular batch size, it is moderately helpful,
if you are brewing for the joy and experience and not particularly worried about achieving repeatable results, you can get by without the software,


I can go on, but you probably get the point. Figure out where you want to go and if the software fits, use it.

Last note: If you choose to use a software package, take the time to set up your system properly and you will gain the most from using it. Use the first couple of brews you make with it to adjust the settings to match your outcome and you will be rewarded.

 

[MadHomebrewer]

Beersmith is worth the money. Brewer's Friend is a good free one though.

 

[Gavin C]

I use Beersmith. A big fan. You can tailor it to meet your exact system's profile no matter what type of brewing you do. Extract, 3 vessel, BIAB Partial mash etc.

Starting to make my own recipes now and I find it great for that too.

I used brewersfriend too for a few brews (trial version) but didn't want something that I had to keep up a subscription on.

I've not used Brewtoad or Brewsmith so I can't comment as to their qualities.

Just get the trial version of one or more and see what you like. No risk.

 

[brewprint]

I use Beersmith. A big fan. You can tailor it to meet your exact system's profile no matter what type of brewing you do. Extract, 3 vessel, BIAB Partial mash etc.

Starting to make my own recipes now and I find it great for that too.

I used brewersfriend too for a few brews (trial version) but didn't want something that I had to keep up a subscription on.

I've not used Brewtoad or Brewsmith so I can't comment as to their qualities.

Just get the trial version of one or more and see what you like. No risk.

Still there are so many extra numbers and just plain bs that shouldn't be on there when you say; biab with no mashout and no sparge.

You know what I mean

 

[COEBRA]

+1 For Beersmith. Simplified my brewing and allows me to get an idea of my recipe befits I brew it. With every penny to me!

 

[JimRausch]

I've used brewtoad since it came on scene(and hopville before it). I keep records of all my brews on it, even recipes I've done before. Record keeping is an extremely important part of brewing a consistently great product. And brewtoad is free(I'm part Scottish).

 

[Gavin C]

Still there are so many extra numbers and just plain bs that shouldn't be on there when you say; biab with no mashout and no sparge.

You know what I mean

There are a few boxes that don't apply but it doesn't pose me any problems. (final running gravity is one that springs to mind). I just zero it out or ignore them.

I use Bru'n water too. Another program designed without BIAB in mind. Works just fine for me too. Water mineral additions and mash pH adjustments are the only thing I don't use beersmith for.

Beersmith is perhaps over designed for such a simple process as BIAB. That's fine with me though. I only use the bits I need.

I've been BIAB step mashing this last two brews and it is good for calculating the impact that will have on FG. Calculates infusion volumes if doing that too. Got a decoction BIAB planned and again Beersmith handles all the volumetric calculations with precision.

I reckon it's a one stop shop to cater to all brewing setups from the very simple extract brew to a very complex 3 vessel electric HERMS. If your setup gets more complex or your brewing style changes you can be sure the software will still serve as a useful tool.

 

[xandersaml]

BrewSmith all the way! It's worth every penny.

+1 on BrewSmith, not really expensive and awesome!

Brewtoad is good too, but as mentioned, internet connection required.

 

[Yesfan]

I just bought Beersmith a couple of days ago, so my opinion is yet to be determined. It seems to be mentioned here more than the others, so that was one reason why I got it but I don't think the others would be lacking because of that.


I still have a few recipes from here and various vendors (Northern Brewer, AiH, Brewmasters Warehouse, etc.) I've downloaded and kept in a folder for future brew days. Of those recipes I brew, I print off and keep copies in a notebook and make note of what I done for the outcomes of those batches. I don't see where Brewsmith can help me on that, but myabe my thoughts will change as I learn more about the software.


I have to say,technology like this makes me really appreciate those brewers who back in the day had to rely on a lot of trial and error and a ship load of documentation!

 

[Gavin C]

I


I still have a few recipes from here and various vendors (Northern Brewer, AiH, Brewmasters Warehouse, etc.) I've downloaded and kept in a folder for future brew days. Of those recipes I brew, I print off and keep copies in a notebook and make note of what I done for the outcomes of those batches. I don't see where Brewsmith can help me on that, but myabe my thoughts will change as I learn more about the software.

Just punch the recipe into Beersmith. Each recipe has a notes section where anything noteworthy can be recorded. A brew day can be saved to your brew log and backed up to the cloud. Should serve you well from that aspect of things.

 

[m1k3]

Try the free trail of BeerSmith.

 

[m1k3]

Try the free trail of BeerSmith.

If I may elaborate... buy a copy of Brewing Classic Styles and do as many as you can. Put each brew in BeerSmith... write too many notes (if that were possible)... come back next year and tell me you are not a better brewer for it.