HomeBrew record keeping

I made my own "software" (spreadsheet) that has all the recipe info on the same page with the notes. Each file is a different recipe (organized into style folders such as Stout, IPA, etc.) and I just bring the laptop into the brewery and type my notes into the notes section of the spreadsheet. I type my tasting notes into this same sheet as well when I do the tasting - it's all in the same place so it's very easy. Paper would drive me crazy with how much is involved in this... all that erasing!

 

I have not tried homebrewing yet but based on the processes listed on this thread, it seems to cost too much hard work and needs intensive attention. I would love to try it soon.

 

I wouldn't be disheartened by this discussion or other threads that get very technical on this or that. You can basically start with a pre-constructuted kit, following the supplied directions, right on your stove top. You'll make beer and you can hone your process as you go. The things I do now are just second nature to me.

I always tell people it can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. You can brew on a stovetop or spend thousands on a turnkey system and anywhere in between. Will certain things improve the beer, sure (and you can find a plethora of knowledge on how to do some techniques, even on the cheap), but even with the basics, you can come up with something. I'd say the biggest thing you need right out of gate, is patience. Sometimes just a little more time can improve this or that.

 

I put my notes either in my favorite software or in my "homebrewing drawer" which is less organized and has a lot of odds & ends that I still need to get into order. I'm going to work on that this Christmas vacation when I have not much else better to do.

There was a previous thread about organizing notes, see here:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/my-problem-with-home-brewing.392116/#post-4566060

I think once I finally get all my notes better organized, probably in Excel, then it will be way easier for me to maintain everything in one place... AND occupy less space in the desk drawer!

 

Aw... I love doing that! Just read some of that old stuff a couple weeks ago. Man.... I was such a noob! But I also had a couple of pretty good ideas even back in those days.

 

I use a combination of things. Every brew day starts with a recipe in Brewers Friend which is printed out. I then take notes on the brew day on the printed paper. After the beer is done it gets entered into a spreadsheet with other pertinent information and file the paper copy for future reference in case I want to repeat or for inspiration on what to make next. I try to keep just my favorite recipes in Brewers Friend otherwise it gets too crowded and I can't find what I'm looking for.

Nothing really fancy about it but it doesn't take a lot of time but I have ways to get information if I really want it.

 

I use a simple sheet I made in Excel to keep track of things. It doesn't have spots for everything a homebrewer can do, but it's fine for my casual homebrewing.

 

@verniel This. Just take the leap - it's not hard to make beer. I was hooked after my first brewday. Cheers!

 

Thanks you, encouraging words. I'll follow your insights.

 

My dream is to have a leather-bound brewing log with pre-printed categories like the ones that English breweries used in the 19th century (from Ron Pattinson's blog):

The reality is far less attractive, although I have pretty much used the same log sheet for the last 7 years and then file everything in a three ring binder with ales and lagers in separate sections so I can compare different recipes and ingredients more easily.

 

Jack, I was looking through some old brew notes. Remember these sheets? A local shop used to give these to customers free of charge when they made a purchase. It was a nice idea. I think that was before computers were invented ;-)

 

I use a combination of BrewCipher as my main tool and then BeerSmith. It's been much easier to dial in my recipes and system using BC with all the tools @VikeMan has incorporated in such an easy to use way. I've never been able to quite dial in BeerSmith over the past near 2 years, so I end up using Priceless to help with water calculations (and extra step not needed with BC!).

 

Well, I can report that I go my sheets in the 90's and I personally did not own a PC at that time.

Cheers!

 

About 4 years ago I brewed a batch in a 15 barrel brewery that used something not very different from that pic. But I'm pretty sure they had a computer in the office somewhere.