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Software
What is the best software out there for brewing. I use beersmith currently. Is there anything more detailed or helpful?
Beersmith is one of the top brewing softwares out there. Other comparable brewing applications would include ProMash and BeerTools Pro but they are going to be very similar. What exactly are you looking for in a program that is more detailed or helpful?
More of a guideline for the grains or flavoring but I guess thats why its so fun to brew. The guess work. I'm trying to move to fast. To scared to mess up and ruin 5 gallons. I would be crushed.
Beersmith and other brewing softwares are data bases and number crunchers more than anything else. Pick up a copy of Designing Great Beers by Ray Daniels. The first part of the book is dedicated to brewing ingredients and the second part breaks down each of the styles. Keep in mind it is not a recipe book though but I think its what you're looking for. And if you learn everything Ray Daniels has to offer in that book then you won't even have a need for Beersmith anymore.
I use BeerTools free version since I'm too dam cheap to pay for any premium tools.
DC
the grains on beersmith dont match up always to the site I buy from. Anyone to fix that or download more?
You can edit all the Ingredients in Beersmith or even add your own. Use the menu on the left,click on "Grains and Extracts, "Hops", or "Miscellaneous". Once those windows open on the right you can double click an ingredient to edit its properties or click on "Add New _____ (Grain & Extract, Hops, Miscellaneous)"
I thought with technology these days there would be a way to import into the program. Rather than typing everytihing in.
You can go to http://beersmith.com/support.htm. There are tons of ingredients that you can download.
BK wrote:
I thought with technology these days there would be a way to import into the program. Rather than typing everytihing in.
What technologies out there don't require some human thought process to operate dude?
Last time I had to reheat a burrito in the microwave I still had to decide how long to run it for. If you have a microwave that you just toss in the burritto and after you close the door it just starts up and perfectly heats the burritto let me know.
Software is a very static thing. It does require updating occasionally.
I use beersmith, but prior to getting it I calculated everything by hand on paper with regards to gravity. And all I used was basic PPG ratings for grains and extracts. I always ended up with a gravity that was within a couple points of the intended recipe. The point I am trying to make is that you don't have to have the EXACT recipe component in your hand in the software too. Just pick one that is pretty close. You can rename that ingredient and save it as something else, so your recipe sheet reflects that item for future reference. But don't get too hung up on the values. There really will be very little difference in your recipe if in beersmith you use 0.5lb of a 15L malt and you actually used 0.5lb of 20L malt. (Although its very easy to change the color for a malt).
I am just trying to say don't get to hung up on the differences in the software and reality. There are enough variability in the brewing process itself that sort of wipes the minor differences out once a recipe actually becomes a beer. My only motivation to get and use software was to better fine tune hopping amounts, thats the trickiest thing. And dude if you get hung up these recipe differences, hop calculations will only drive you mad when you realize that of the 4-6 difference models for IBUs, they are all different and some give very different #s.
Its all good man. I am just trying to save you some headache.
No big deal. I thought there would be a upgrade but I havent tried to enter them in yet. I use homebrewers outpost to purchase my ingrediants. I need to brew more and experiment.. Thanks...Seems every book I read is different and theres not a lot about partial mash.
BK wrote:
No big deal. I thought there would be a upgrade but I havent tried to enter them in yet. I use homebrewers outpost to purchase my ingrediants. I need to brew more and experiment.. Thanks...Seems every book I read is different and theres not a lot about partial mash.
In fairness, partial mash is basically doing a small all grain batch, you are just replacing some base grain with extract. Any of the instructions for all grain will probably work for partial mash - batch, fly, no sparge, etc. - take your pick. Also, it's been awhile, but I'm pretty sure http://www.howtobrew.com has a section on partial mash.
DT
I'm doing 5-1/2gal partial mashes with less that 40% of the fermentables coming from extract.
Using a 4gal pot, you can mash 5-6 lbs of grain.
BeerSmith has several temperature mash profiles you can use. I cover & wrap the mash with heavy towels to hold the temps.
Batch sparge into a 5gal wort pot, boil w/ hop additions. I add LME or DME in the last 10 min., seems to give me a maltier taste.
Most of my batches are around 1.050 SG, 5-6% ABV.
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