Promash Still in business?

[rmyurick]

I ordered the product for download off their site several days ago and haven't gotten an email yet. If they are defunct, they should take down the site.

 

[SaguaroMan]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I saw the last update for their software to be from 2011.

That's why I stick with BeerSmith

 

[boydster]

The most recent version was for Windows XP...

System Requirements: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Windows XP Operating System (Also compatible with Macintosh using Virtual PC, and Linux using Wine). A Graphics Card capable of displaying at least 256 Colors. 8 Megabytes RAM, 3.5 Megabytes available hard drive space.

 

[rmyurick]

Thanks, but my question wasn't when the last update was issued.

 

[rmyurick]

Answered my own question--download key was in my spam box (@#$*&^ gmail!). However, the site/software seems to be on autopilot from the looks of it.

 

[LandoLincoln]

Thanks, but my question wasn't when the last update was issued.

You probably should have asked yourself that question before purchasing, though. New hops and yeast strains come up all the time. Now you'll have to enter all that information yourself.

 

[rmyurick]

Well it seems to fit my needs, and it's fairly easy to edit the database. Was just looking for something to keep track of what I have brewed and want to brew.

 

[tnlandsailor]

ProMash is great. I have used it religiously for over 10 years. But just like anything else, what have you done for me lately? No updates, no mobile app, no Mac compatibility (except for a fairly involved process with WINE/WINE BOTTLER), no support. ProMash is dead to me.

If you are searching out your first brewing software, i would not choose ProMash.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

ProMash died when the authors wife died. It is still a great application although outdated.

The last revision was issued in 2003, just before they began to battle the cancer that took his wife.

 

[ssgross]

ProMash has been a wonderful app. I still keep handwritten records of my brew days, and have always used ProMash for planning and inventory management. I found that the simplistic design and easy to use interface superior to Beer Smith, however this evaluation was made with whatever version beer smith was at in 2008.

It would be nice if someone revived ProMash.
P.S. I was looking if there was any update news, saw the site was down completely, and found this thread...condolances to the author, and many thanks for the years I have used his software.

 

[Brewbuzzard]

Not to beat a dead horse (pun intended) but I did like Promash. The guy just got tired and dropped it.

 

[Big Monk]

Not to beat a dead horse (pun intended) but I did like Promash. The guy just got tired and dropped it.

To be fair, I believe his wife had major health issues which put it on the back, back, back burner.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

To be fair, I believe his wife had major health issues which put it on the back, back, back burner.

Cancer. And, IIRC, ProMash was a hobby project to begin with.

 

[Big Monk]

Cancer. And, IIRC, ProMash was a hobby project to begin with.

I still have ProMash and love it. Works just fine for me to this day.

 

[Brewbuzzard]

Cancer. And, IIRC, ProMash was a hobby project to begin with.

I didn't know that. I hope everything worked out fine for them. That would explain why he quit such a good product.

 

[Big Monk]

That would explain why he quit such a good product.

The amazing thing about ProMash is how good it still is.

Goes to show how much fluff and nonsense is in brewing software suites.

You want to know what a poor, modern version of ProMash looks like? Check out BeerSmith.

 

[passedpawn]

I prefer Beersmith 1.x. I don't use it anymore, but I have the installer and have often considered reverting. The new Beersmith (2.x, 3.x) is cleverly cloaked in a god-awful GUI. I feel sorry for people starting out with it.

When is started brewing, Beersmith 1 was free (I think) and ProMash was $. So, I've never even seen ProMash.

 

[Big Monk]

I prefer Beersmith 1.x. I don't use it anymore, but I have the installer and have often considered reverting. The new Beersmith (2.x, 3.x) is cleverly cloaked in a god-awful GUI. I feel sorry for people starting out with it.

When is started brewing, Beersmith 1 was free (I think) and ProMash was $. So, I've never even seen ProMash.

I bet BeerSmith 1 resembles ProMash. When Brad created BeerSmith I imagine it was in response to ProMash being on a long (and then permanent) hiatus.

 

[Brewbuzzard]

Promash was much more user friendly. I still have issues with Beersmith.

 

[hopjuice_71]

Back in the late 80's/early 90's we did all our calculations mainly by hand. It was pretty straight-forward but accurate. In 1995 I wrote a program (with a GUI) in a couple of days that did everything for me. I wonder if I missed an opportunity?

 

[Brewbuzzard]

Back in the late 80's/early 90's we did all our calculations mainly by hand. It was pretty straight-forward but accurate. In 1995 I wrote a program (with a GUI) in a couple of days that did everything for me. I wonder if I missed an opportunity?

Yes I believe so. But hindsight is 20-20.

 

[kh54s10]

I've never seen ProMash it was gone before I started brewing. I started with the program that was bought and changed to BrewToad. That one was quite easy, but was really too simplified for me. I then went with Beersmith 2. I guess the GUI could be better, but don't see it being much different from the currently popular Brewer's Friend program and probably others. It is a very good tool, but like most tools you have to learn to use it properly. You would have to show me something very good to get me to switch from Beersmith 3.

 

[Brewbuzzard]

I've never seen ProMash it was gone before I started brewing. I started with the program that was bought and changed to BrewToad. That one was quite easy, but was really too simplified for me. I then went with Beersmith 2. I guess the GUI could be better, but don't see it being much different from the currently popular Brewer's Friend program and probably others. It is a very good tool, but like most tools you have to learn to use it properly. You would have to show me something very good to get me to switch from Beersmith 3.

I think that is the issue, learning how to use it properly. It can do so much you need to study the tutorials.

 

[day_trippr]

There is no doubt the BS gui is user antagonistic, which is an impediment to learning where everything is and how to use the program. And the criticality of the equipment profile can never be overstated - but tbh that's as it should be, everything depends on it, so folks need to get that right to make the program worth using in the first place.

I find it's totally worth using and frankly have come to depend on it - for everything but water conditioning, for which I use Bru'n Water...

Cheers!

 

[Brewbuzzard]

There is no doubt the BS gui is user antagonistic, which is an impediment to learning where everything is and how to use the program. And the criticality of the equipment profile can never be overstated - but tbh that's as it should be, everything depends on it, so folks need to get that right to make the program worth using in the first place.

I find it's totally worth using and frankly have come to depend on it - for everything but water conditioning, for which I use Bru'n Water...

Cheers!

I use BS for building my water profile. Have you found something wrong with it?

 

[kevin58]

My first brewing software was ProMash. I kept using it well after it was dead and gone but eventually I decided I needed to find something more up to date. I switched to Beersmith 2 and now BS3. As day trippr points out, the equipment profile is crucial to making this program work accurately. If you skip making a custom equipment profile or just click on one of the profiles that come in the software you are setting yourself up for some frustrating brew days.

But I never found BS any more difficult to use than ProMash. I remember having to print out the instructions provided by someone on a forum that described how to calculate equal mash and sparge volumes for batch sparging. It was at least two or three pages long. I probably still have that print out in my files somewhere. But it was so convoluted I had to consult that paper every brew session. With Beersmith I just set up a mash profile specific to batch sparging and that's it.

Beersmith has a learning curve for sure but the way to learn it best is to use it and brew more. Raise your hand everyone who doesn't want to brew more.

 

[day_trippr]

I use BS for building my water profile. Have you found something wrong with it?

Yes, it typically calls for way more acid additions than needed. Bru'n Water is consistently closer to my empirical data...

Cheers!

 

[Big Monk]

Yes, it typically calls for way more acid additions than needed. Bru'n Water is consistently closer to my empirical data...

Cheers!

I don’t think Riffe’s algorithm incorporates pH dependence for acid.

 

[cswant88]

Yes, it typically calls for way more acid additions than needed. Bru'n Water is consistently closer to my empirical data...

Cheers!

I’ve not had any issues with BS acid additions. I’ll admit I don’t always check every time, but when I do it’s +/- .03 of target ph. Usually sampled 30min into mash.

 

[day_trippr]

fwiw, my take on the BS3 water tool is hardly unique.
Indeed it's pretty much accepted as the way it is for now...

Cheers!