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Author Topic: Brewing Calculators / Software  (Read 4456 times)

Offline donsmitty

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  • Colchester, CT
Brewing Calculators / Software
« on: March 31, 2013, 01:35:47 pm »
I'm new to home brewing and the first three things I did to prepare for this hobby was to join AHA to gain knowledge from the experienced brewers on the forum, read John Palmer's book How to Brew, and install a copy of BeerSmith2 on my Mac.  Now I'd like to reach out to all of you and ask what brewing calculators do you use or make reference to when brewing.   

Offline erockrph

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Re: Brewing Calculators / Software
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2013, 09:29:13 pm »
I use Brewer's Friend almost exclusively this point. The developer is very responsive to questions and concerns, and is constantly providing useful updates at a fairly quick pace. It's perfect for me because everything is online, so I can access all my recipes and inventory from my work PC, my home PC, tablet and phone. The calculators are extremely helpful as well.
Eric B.

Finally got around to starting a homebrewing blog: The Hop Whisperer

Offline kylekohlmorgen

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Re: Brewing Calculators / Software
« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2013, 07:47:42 am »
I've used ProMash and BeerSmith, and I much prefer the latter.

BeerSmith is intuitive enough to be accessible to brewers of all levels, but the functionality helped me really dial in my process as I progressed as a homebrewer. I wasn't able to consistently hit my targets until I started using it.

Just one man's opinion. This is an unpaid advertisement.
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Offline AmandaK

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Re: Brewing Calculators / Software
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2013, 09:56:26 am »
Being an engineer by trade, I do nearly all of my own calcs. For those I'm too lazy to do (SRM/IBU), I use Beer Calculus.
Amanda Burkemper
KC Bier Meisters Lifetime Member - KCBM 3x AHA Club of the Year!!
BJCP Assistant (to the) Midwest Rep
BJCP Grand Master/Mead/Cider


Our Homebrewed Wedding, AHA Article

Offline Joe Sr.

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Re: Brewing Calculators / Software
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2013, 10:22:50 am »
I'm using Beersmith and like it a lot.  It has far more functionality than I've even begun to touch, but someday I'll have the time to spend with it.

For basic recipe building and style guidelines it's great.

And I've been hitting my numbers pretty damn well recently, which is nice.
It's all in the reflexes. - Jack Burton

Offline yso191

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Re: Brewing Calculators / Software
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2013, 10:37:37 am »
Beersmith and Brun' Water.
Steve
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Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Brewing Calculators / Software
« Reply #6 on: April 01, 2013, 11:06:21 am »
Beersmith and Brun' Water.
  +1.  My 2 favorites.
Jon H.

Offline kylekohlmorgen

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Re: Brewing Calculators / Software
« Reply #7 on: April 01, 2013, 11:56:24 am »
Being an engineer by trade, I do nearly all of my own calcs...

Being an engineer by trade, I know the most effective and efficient method of calculating recipe specs is with brewing software  ;)
Twitter/Instagram: @southhousebrew

Recipes, Brett/Bacteria Experiments: http://SouthHouseBeer.com/

Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Brewing Calculators / Software
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2013, 02:15:30 pm »
Being an engineer by trade, I do nearly all of my own calcs...

Being an engineer by trade, I know the most effective and efficient method of calculating recipe specs is with brewing software  ;)
I'm thinking of switching back to text-only internet too.
 
Really though, I use BeerSmith.
Delmarva United Homebrewers - President by inverse coup - former president ousted himself.
AHA Member since 2006
BJCP Certified: B0958

Offline paul

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Re: Brewing Calculators / Software
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2013, 02:46:16 pm »
I do my own calcs also, using a spreadsheet I built.  It calculates gravity, bitterness, color, mash volumes, mash temperatures, and yeast starter growth. 

I used to use Beersmith and found it to be pretty helpful.  But I wanted to make my own to better understand what the calculators were doing, and also so I could customize it as necessary.

I use EZ Water 2.0 for mineral additions.

Offline AmandaK

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Re: Brewing Calculators / Software
« Reply #10 on: April 02, 2013, 10:56:17 am »
Being an engineer by trade, I do nearly all of my own calcs...

Being an engineer by trade, I know the most effective and efficient method of calculating recipe specs is with brewing software  ;)

Quick and efficient is for work - slow and relaxing is my weekend mode. Plus I like to play with the numbers.  8)
Amanda Burkemper
KC Bier Meisters Lifetime Member - KCBM 3x AHA Club of the Year!!
BJCP Assistant (to the) Midwest Rep
BJCP Grand Master/Mead/Cider


Our Homebrewed Wedding, AHA Article

Offline a10t2

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Re: Brewing Calculators / Software
« Reply #11 on: April 02, 2013, 02:54:20 pm »
BeerTools Pro. Best option on the Mac as far as I can tell. I'd be fine doing the calculations by hand (i.e. in a spreadsheet), but the logging and inventory tracking sold me.
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Offline weithman5

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Re: Brewing Calculators / Software
« Reply #12 on: April 02, 2013, 02:59:12 pm »
being a former engineer by trade.  i use ibrewmaster for my iphone and ipad.  i do idiot checks on the numbers.  it is not so much so that i can use it to create a recipe as it is that it stores it and the batch information right on my phone when i want to show it to somebody.
Don AHA member

Offline kylekohlmorgen

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Re: Brewing Calculators / Software
« Reply #13 on: April 03, 2013, 12:07:55 pm »
being a former engineer by trade.  i use ibrewmaster for my iphone and ipad.  i do idiot checks on the numbers.  it is not so much so that i can use it to create a recipe as it is that it stores it and the batch information right on my phone when i want to show it to somebody.

I CANT WAIT to be a "former engineer"...
Twitter/Instagram: @southhousebrew

Recipes, Brett/Bacteria Experiments: http://SouthHouseBeer.com/