Need to start making my own recipes... Need a recommendation

[theBryon]

Do you guys use software to develop your own recipes? If so, what do you recommend. Keeping in mind I'll probably stick with extract and partial grain steeping for my methodology for the time being...

[Ray Grace]

I find software very helpful. Beersmith, beertools, and promash all have free demo versions available online. If you are a mac user, beer alchemy also has a free demo version.

[theBryon]

I'm a PC guy, which of the first three is your favorite, and why?

[Ray Grace]

I've only ever used the demo versions of them, and like I said you can try them all for free. I use Beer Alchemy since I'm a mac user at home, of the three for the PC, I think I'd use either beersmith or promash, they seem to be more versatile to me.

[Chipper Dave]

I've only brewed one batch so far and used a recipe I found in Brew Your Own magazine. I have downloaded Beersmith for my PC and will try that out next time.

[Rob DeNunzio]

I use ProMash, and like how versatile it is, even if the databases are a bit outdated. At least you can customize them at will.

PC. Cheap. Flexible.

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

I use Beer Smith and really like it, for the most part. I started out with the free demo like Ray mentioned and them dug it enough to fork out the $20 to buy it. I run all my recipes through this software, even if I'm doin' a "kit" batch. I like the fact that you can tweak your recipes as much or as little as you like and still get 'em reasonably within style and/or ABV parameters you want ... or you can just as easily blow 'em all to hell if that's what you're after too. Since investing in this software, I have not brewed a standard batch ... a lot of the fun is in tweaking, I think.

The guy who wrote the Beer Smith software is an Aleuminati member, by the way.

[theBryon]

Great feedback guys, thanks... I really do need to play with some of this software... I may be sold on beersmith...

[Graz]

Have you ever used The Recipator??? http://hbd.org/recipator/ I would add to this a thorough style guideline. My favorite is the one used by the Beer Judge Certification Program. http://www.bjcp.org/index.php I have been brewing for 15 years and I have a 10 gallon system like many of you do. There is ALWAYS things to tweak on it to make it better. I have found that a decent rig that you know how to extract the most fermentables out of your grain, in addition to the two links above is all I seem to need to make a pre darn fine assortment of beer.

[Jake]

If you get some good recipes going and get curious as to the theory that goes into formulating recipes, check out "Designing Great Beers" by Ray Daniels. It's a lot to take in at once, but you can read up on particular styles of beer that you are considering brewing and it can give you good tips on ways to modify your recipes. Also if you decide to eventually go all grain, it's a good source on how to formulate a solid grain bill.

[Mark Hill]

I use the BeerSmith software also. It is very good for building recepies, and will keep your inventory for ou as well. You can't beat it for the price. We got a brew club price, if you have friends that might want a copy.

[Useless Brewing]

I also Use BeerSmith and am quite active on the forum if you need any help. Just let me know. I used Promash also but Found Beersmith easier to use. I would also add that Brad is actively upgrading Beersmith. Which you cant say for Promash.

Cheers
Preston

[Tim Roettiger]

Interesting replies. I started making my own recipes early on and never used software. I just brewed by "tongue" so to speak, building off of recipes from my books, and wrote down everything I did. Occassionally, when buying supplies, I would get the old "What are you bewing anyway? You can't do that!" I did what I wanted and if it tasted good I did it again. A lot of trial and error, but also a lot of fun. Barring infection, I have never dropped a real dud.

Still, this software thing is very popular so maybe it is something I should check out.

Cheer, TIM