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Author Topic: Software?  (Read 3075 times)

Offline DrewG

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Software?
« on: February 20, 2012, 06:14:59 PM »
I'm looking to get a brewing program. What do you use/recommend?
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Offline sparkleberry

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Re: Software?
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2012, 06:48:59 PM »
I have beeralchemy on my computer and cell phone. I really like this one because I can sync them together. ibrewmaster is pretty good but I wish I could use it on a bigger screen than my cell. it is available for an ipad but I don't really have a need for one.

both are pretty useful and easy to use.
I'm happy with both and would recommend either one.

I did a free trial for beer smith but never really played with it as much and ended up letting the trial lapse without purchasing.

try some out and see what you like using.
« Last Edit: February 20, 2012, 06:57:17 PM by sparkleberry »
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Offline bluesman

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Re: Software?
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2012, 07:00:47 PM »
I use Beersmith 2 and highly recommend it. I have been using it for 5 years with great success. If you do a search you'll find a few other threads on this subject. But, I think it's also good to start a fresh thread on this subject as well.
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Ron Price

Offline hokerer

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Re: Software?
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2012, 07:23:10 PM »
Quote from: bluesman on February 20, 2012, 07:00:47 PM
I use Beersmith 2 and highly recommend it. I have been using it for 5 years with great success. If you do a search you'll find a few other threads on this subject. But, I think it's also good to start a fresh thread on this subject as well.

+1 to Beersmith
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Joe

Offline The Professor

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Re: Software?
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2012, 08:00:22 PM »
If your on MacOS,  it's BeerAlchemy, hands down.
I've tried 'em all (including the various Windoze programs, since they will run on a Mac).   No doubt in my mind that BeerAlchemy has the best interface, is customizable, and is very intuitive.

If you run Windows, then probably Beersmith is currently your best option.
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AL
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Offline DrewG

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Re: Software?
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2012, 08:29:50 AM »
I'm on a PC, and my phone is a droid so no joy there. I've heard good things about Promash, but also that it hasn't been updated in ages and the support is less than fantastic.
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Offline hokerer

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Re: Software?
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2012, 08:38:11 AM »
Quote from: DrewG on February 21, 2012, 08:29:50 AM
I've heard good things about Promash, but also that it hasn't been updated in ages and the support is less than fantastic.

Yeah, the guy who wrote spent a lot of time a few years back dealing with some health issues with his wife (as I heard it anyways) and it seems he just never got back to working on the program.
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Joe

Offline gymrat

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Re: Software?
« Reply #7 on: February 21, 2012, 08:58:05 AM »
I have been having good luck with brewtarget. And it runs on my linux machine as well as my windows machine.
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Ralph's Brewery
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Online denny

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Re: Software?
« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2012, 09:14:55 AM »
Quote from: DrewG on February 21, 2012, 08:29:50 AM
I'm on a PC, and my phone is a droid so no joy there. I've heard good things about Promash, but also that it hasn't been updated in ages and the support is less than fantastic.

I've used Promash going on 14 years and I've never found anything I like better.  The "no updates" thing is kinda a canard, because it really doesn't need to be updated.  It does everything I need, and does it easily.
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Offline richardt

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Re: Software?
« Reply #9 on: February 21, 2012, 10:04:00 AM »
They all do a fairly good job, but there's not one that clearly blows the rest of the competition away.
Play around with a few and pick one you think feels right.

However, most brewing software focus on calculating SG and SRM's from various grists, and IBU's from various hops.  They are rather weak on recommending proper pitch rates (for yeast), and proper water profile calculators (for water and brew salt additions--using BeerSmith2 is not recommended, I'd use Bru'nwater, then plug the results into BrewSmith2).

Good luck.
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Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: Software?
« Reply #10 on: February 21, 2012, 12:50:01 PM »
Quote from: denny on February 21, 2012, 09:14:55 AM
Quote from: DrewG on February 21, 2012, 08:29:50 AM
I'm on a PC, and my phone is a droid so no joy there. I've heard good things about Promash, but also that it hasn't been updated in ages and the support is less than fantastic.

I've used Promash going on 14 years and I've never found anything I like better.  The "no updates" thing is kinda a canard, because it really doesn't need to be updated.  It does everything I need, and does it easily.
I agree with Denny.
I run it for a couple of years and so far so good.
Does not look that sexy but I do not consider any computer program sexy.
The feature that I like is the session data.
I did not find this in any other program.
They are just recipe formulators.
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Offline bigchicken

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Re: Software?
« Reply #11 on: February 23, 2012, 04:56:15 PM »
I'm very happy with Beersmith 2. Great support and lots of free add ons for different and new grains and hops.
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TJ Cook
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Offline chezteth

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Re: Software?
« Reply #12 on: February 23, 2012, 07:29:17 PM »
+1 Beersmith2  It has a lot of great features and is quite easy to use.
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Offline Crash Green

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Re: Software?
« Reply #13 on: February 24, 2012, 07:08:01 AM »
I can't say I've played around with a bunch of them, but I do like BrewSmith's shopping list and brew day checklist functions. They seem clear and easy to use (after playing with it for a bit).
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Offline dbarber

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Re: Software?
« Reply #14 on: February 24, 2012, 11:37:03 AM »
I've always used Promash and am quite happy with it.  I do have a copy of BeerSmith, but haven't had the time to play with it.
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Dave Barber
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