Beersmith - thoughts?

[ezraburke]

Currently using Brewersfriend which is ample, if slightly limited in it's trial mode.

My query is: is Beersmith worth purchasing? Working an AG setup at the minute brewing 17-19L batches.

 

[smartdev]

Simple answer yes and bets bit is its widely used so widely supported, my pet peeve is the interface, it looks a bit dated but it works well, for me at least. Before getting Beersmith (Which I think is only about $30?) I use to use http://www.brewtarget.org/ which is completely free so maybe look at that if you wanted an improved free version?

 

[Simonh82]

I went through this decision recently and decided to pay for Brewer's Friend (with 10% forum discount). I tried Beersmith but the interface felt much more cluttered and difficult to use. I also found that I couldn't customise my equipment set up the way that I wanted to, at least not obviously. I do BIAB with a 30L boiler and the only BIAB options were 5 or 10 gallon.

I like the fact I can access Brewer's Friend on a mobile and do so regularly. They have a paid for app but I don't see why I would need this when there website is mobile friendly.

My one grumble with Brewer's Friend is that it doesn't have an option for speciality grain colours in ECB rather than Lovibond. The Homebrew Company sell there grains with an ECB rating and I then have to convert them when building a recipe.

 

[geigercntr]

If you're on Android there's one called Wort which has a free version. I'm a brewing noob but I've successfully used it in the design of recipes & on brewdays. Recommend

 

[Notlaw]

If you're on Android there's one called Wort which has a free version. I'm a brewing noob but I've successfully used it in the design of recipes & on brewdays. Recommend

I'm using Wort as well. It's not bad for free.

 

[HisDudeness]

Definitely worth purchasing in my opinion especially as it is a one off payment. A few minor things that could be improved but on the whole it works very well and is well supported

 

[ManseMasher]

I like it. But then I got it when it was $5.....

 

[GlentoranMark]

I'm using the Wort App for android which is free, I love it so much I paid for the full version which has no other features other than it cost me £4.19 :)

It's a simple interface but what I really like is the developer. I emailed him asking a question, he responded quickly and resolved my issue. He loves the feedback and if there's something you need in the software then he'll put it in. Just looking now compare to when I first started using it and it's a lot more comprehensive. I've asked him for a shared recipe space so that I and others can share what we brew. We'll see if he incorporates that.

I love it and pretty cheap compared to Beersmith. I do think he will start pushing features to the Pro version in future so maybe worth buying now. As Manse mentioned, Beersmith was only $5 when he paid for that software.

 

[geigercntr]

I'm using the Wort App for android which is free, I love it so much I paid for the full version which has no other features other than it cost me ��£4.19 :)

Yep, I did the same :thumb:

 

[Leon103]

I like beersmith. Didn't take me long to get used to it and set it up for my equipment.

 

[VillageBrew]

I'm also using Wort. Not got round to paying for it yet - but others on here all have, so I probably should! I agree - the dev emailed me back when I asked a question and sorted my issue. :thumb:

 

[Herb]

I use the Beersmith android app. I love it.

Think it cost about £5 and you don't need to have the desktop version.

Loads of recipes to search, and it's pretty easy to make your own.

 

[ezraburke]

I like tinkering online or at least via desktop so not sure I could move mobile only. Does Wort have a PC counterpart?

 

[GHW]

Brewers friend app is limited and not worth the money imho. Sorry sponsors, it just isn't. Haven't tried website version. Once bitten etc.

Going to check out brewtarget as Mac brewing software are few and far between.

And PCs are so 1990s, mais non?

 

[ezraburke]

Brewers friend app is limited and not worth the money imho. Sorry sponsors, it just isn't. Haven't tried website version. Once bitten etc.

Going to check out brewtarget as Mac brewing software are few and far between.

And PCs are so 1990s, mais non?

The online one is worthwhile, it's what I use to brew.

 

[BeardySi]

Using the beersmith 2 android app, well worth a fiver or so - preferred the interface to wort, though that's a great free app. Trialled the pc version but the ui irritated me so much I won't be shelling out for the full version.

 

[Alan_H]

I agree with Brewtarget and recommend it - it's similar to Beersmith but I only had the latter as a trial so I might not remember all of its features.