Currently entering a recipe in BeerTools Pro. A few quick comments. Overall, I do like the program but it’s not revolutionary. I have a lot of ideas about a complete brewing database program, including brewclub and brewshop features. I wish I could code in PHP/MySQL just so I could implement some of these ideas.

So, BTP.

What’s neat:

• Responsive staff (even on a Sunday!)
• Ease of entering ingredients
  • Searching for ingredients
  • Add multiple times
• All ingredients view
• Templates
• Download from BeerTools.com

What I had to learn to do (or could be made clearer in the UI):

• Back-tab to select next ingredient in recipe’s list
• Grams before quantity (to prevent conversion)
• Distinguishing between database ingredients and current ones (price, vitals)

What’s not so neat (bug or bug-like non-feature):

• Doesn’t automatically add .btp to template filename (so file isn’t recognized as template)
• Direct heat adds volume
• Can’t export to common formats
• No stage for grains (mash or infusion)
• Recipe ingredients aren’t added to database directly
• Style listed by BJCP numbers, field can’t be searched

What could be neat:

• Duplicating ingredients in database
• Search all ingredients
• Add ingredient on double-click
• Grains and adjuncts together
• Multiple additions same grain (adjust proportion)
• Add schedule steps visually
• Mash volume in schedule graph
• Style templates
• Date field (calendar)
• Multiple dates (recipe formulation, brewing, tasting, etc.)
• Download data for new ingredients

The last few items are somewhat connected to what I have in mind for the ideal brewing application. What I envision is really more than recipe formulation. It includes references between batches, tasting comments, lots of observations, blogging features, beer-related social networking, etc.

I really should blog about my “vision” but that will have to wait for another day.