Brewers Friend App Reviews

A great handy App for Brewers, both for composing recipes to a BJCP STYLE and to have at hand on brew day. I learned about it from Brewer’s Friend Free, and it’s well worth the $5.00 USD.

So far my only dislike is no Ipad support and no landscape support.

Since all the calculators are available for free on the website, it’s incredible that they would only include a tiny selection here. Furthermore, it looks like it was designed in the ‘90s and still doesn’t support the iPhone X screen layout. I do like the ability to save your recipes and notes. It’s pretty clear this was designed as a quick project, but has not had the design input or even just the dedication that the website has. And that’s pretty poor, considering the website is free. My recommendation: use this to save recipes. But just pull up the website on your phone and ignore the app calculators. What a shame, this had the potential to be great.

And that is what I use it for. When I purchased I had a degree of trust for the product based off of the BF website. I was slightly. disappointed it doesn't contain the full range of brew tools found on the website, especially water calculations. However as I wanted it for an on the go/convenient non-internet reliant recipe creator that I knew would be reliable and accurate, I'm pleased. It works great and is easy to navigate, fairly intuitive navigation. I've used seemingly all the free online recipators and this app is worth the $5 to have on the phone, good value!

Still a few options I’d like to see, but nothing that’s a deal breaker.

Nice to have recipes on the go, but the calculations are different from web to app which is extremely confusing.

I didn’t realize it would be so limited compared to website. It doesn’t even do water volumes!! How can you use it without water volumes? Also no yeast pitch, equipment profiles, etc. etc.

The app itself is great. Calculations are very useful and quite accurate. I have been using the app to create recipes for years. I have been a paid “Premium” member this whole time. For some reason, my prior 2+ year’s worth of recipes showed “sync’ed” to the cloud (or wherever it is supposed to go). I had to wipe my iPhone 7+ due to the whole iOS battery scandal (another sore subject-GRRR). Once I re-installed the Brewer’s Friend app, and logged into my paid account, none of the recipes I had created on my phone (and had believed to have synced) prior to 2015 were actually stored. I have since tried to sync newly created recipes and have synced. All the syncing does is create a duplicate recipe on the app. For some reason it won’t show up on the website version of my account when viewing on a desktop computer. Stay away from this app if you are at all concerned about keeping your recipes!!

I have used the free teaser Brewer’s Friend Free, and found it so useful with tools and calculators that I bought the I-Phone version. I use BeerSmith v.2 on the iPhone as well, and find Brewers Friend (BF) easier to begin putting together a recipe, tweeting a recipe, finding substitutes for yeast or fermentables if one or another is hard to get. I use the BF as a stand alone mobile phone App and am very pleased with functionality. It could be improved by sending recipes (1 page format) to a printer. The keyboard obscures text when it opens and is a bit off putting, could be better. Overall a very useful App.

The latest version just bombed out immediately on my iPhone, but after updating to iOS 8.3 it works great on the iPhone and on the iPad. Probably the most intuitive brewing software I have used.

This is the app that I use to brew all the time. I love how easy everything is to setup and brew. It has a ton of features that allow me to really have fun and keep my beers flowing. Has a few minor bugs from time to time. One that really s***** was I switched from the app to XM Radio to stream it. When I went back to the app the timer had reset so I had to adjust my timers for how long was left for the boil. I always keep two clocks. The only thing it seems that this app won't do is brew the beer for me. ;)

Great app! Love the ease of tweaking recipes on my phone whenever ideas come to me. Worth every penny if you're serious about your beer.

Great to keep track of my brews. Calculations seem to help reaching my goals on taste. It appears the colors are darker then I projected.

Use it every time I brew. Wish cloud sync was available without an extra fee since I am already paying for this app.

I find the interface to be more user friendly than the website, it's more customizable and the brew timer is super useful while I'm sipping a few beers during the boil. Totally worth the $$ to me.

Not a bad app. It seems to be good for writing and saving recipes. It is really good at keeping track of what stages your brews are in, from planning to gone and several stages in between. There's plenty of places to keep detailed notes on different brews. Brew day is a little frustrating, as the built in timers disappear if you switch apps while using the timers, like checking email or Facebook. If the app stops running in the background when you're using the timers, you won't be able to get back to the active timer. You will still get a notification when it's time to add hops, etc., but you won't be able to see for yourself how much time is left.

The ability to sync up to recipes, use the timer, and access recipes makes this app great.

Yeah I have a bone to pick. "Cloud" sync? Don't think so, you people need to look up the use if the term "cloud" because your app, while nice in some respects, does NOT sync with anything unless you pay some ridiculous fee to a website that isn't even maintained.

BrewersFriend wins. The Smith is ubiquitous and it does everything you'd want but it not as user friendly. The Friend is easier. I spent the $8.99 after forking out $9.99 for Smith. Don't waste the $9.99....

I've used others and they have value but this app is the best I've come across. I use it for almost everything I do in terms of beer recipe design & on brew day. The full version is worth every penny.

A calendar would be nice to track fermentation/conditioning/packaging dates.

No need to write your recipes down anymore put them in on the computer or your phone and go from there!

Spent the $9, hoping to get all the added features, like syncing with other recipes and devices. Nope, still only a trial run of their monthly service you need to pay for. This just gets you to delete your batches. Thanks so much for barely anything.

I'm able to create recipes quickly and easily and look them up while at the brew store. I can also tweak them on the fly depending on which malts, hops and yeast are available.

App works well with full version on computer. Would be great to have a ingredient shopping list for recipes created as well as ingredients on hand (inventory). Keep the updates coming. Recommend this app

I no longer keep manual journal for recipes, notes, brew logs, etc... It is all right here in one awesome app. Thank you.

Does most BeerSmith functions

This is my go to app for doing homebrew recipes and planning brew sessions. I recommend this app to all of my homebrewer friends. Highly recommended

Wish I had known I had to have a premium account to sync with the app. I don't mind paying money for an app I'll use. I also wish I could get my money back.

This app is quite helpful when making recipes. It calculates ABV, IBU, OG target FG. Also helps you know if your recipe is true to the style you're aiming for.

Great little app for your phone to have on brew day.

I've used this app for a number of years. Calculators are extremely helpful and I can use it on multiple platforms, from my phone to iPad and desktop.

I am a premium member and heavy user of Brewer’s Friend web site. The most disappointing thing about this app is the lack of the Shopping List and Inventory features available on the full web site. The whole point of a mobile app is for use when you’re away from a full computer, like when you’re shopping for your next brew session, when you need the shopping and inventory lists at hand. As it is now, I have to pull up the web site on my phone, obviating the need for a paid mobile app. Please add these features to make the mobile app worth the cost!

SG calcs are pretty good. I love the ability to calc IBU for your recipe. And it will tell you how close your recipe specs match against styles along with estimated alcohol levels. The cost is negligible compared to brewing a 5 gal batch of beer.

This app and its web site counterpart are one of the most up to date brewers apps. If it doesn't work for you, you shouldn't be make my beer it is that simple. Great app much respect to the design team.

I use this app every brewday. I don't like the fact that I have to buy the premium version AND the desktop version to use all the features. I would rather pay a blended price for both. That said, the app is great and the support is even better.

So, it is not enough that you pay $5 for this app. Still can't load in recipes from web site unless you also pay $15 there as well. Lame. Delete. Wish I could request my money back.

Does less than half of what you can do through the Brewer's Friend site. Desperately needs updating

It would be great to be able to merge the online UI with this product or to be able to move over the recipes I have in the free version (which I've had to keep on my phone...) but it basically does the job with good calculators and a broad database of malts, hops, and yeasts.

I've been brewing for a few years started with extract....bottles now with all grain and kegs this app will teach u how to brew better beer if u are like me I love and only brew session IPA and the hopping category is geared for hoppy Brewers I always formulate recipes with this app since its on my phone and not the pc It's real time data in my fingertips on brew day

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Very well done

From IPA's to Kolchs. I like it.

The features are well thought out but a $7 app should be more compatible to other available apps and have the ability to search recipes and sync data regardless of your membership level. Add that to the fact that you'll have to fork out another $3 for a yeast pitch rate and calculator app, you will likely lean towards an app like Beer Smith that offers more and then some.

Easy to use. The perfect tool to start building your own homebrew recipes. The calculators and brew day interactive feature are big helps, too.

The app seems flexible enough, but at $6 it should have more features without requiring an additional $15 *yearly* fee for the premium web version.

The best brewing software package I've used. Sync between web and app versions is seamless. Calculations are right on. Good note tracking features. Highly recommended!

Had the free version but wanted to support the creators so shelled out for it. Awesome app, has improved my brewing and helped dial in my system.

I always use this brewing app, and I love it. The calculators are helpful. The recipes and checklist are easy to follow on brew day. The records are easy to reference for future batches. Great results! Highly recommended!

It is a great app. Great to save recipes and brew sessions. I use it all the time on my phone. I also have it on my laptop.

This app works very well, but the only way to import recipes is to get a gold subscription on their website. That’s a non starter for those of us who might be coming from another app (Brew Pal I’m my case, which seems to have vanished from the AppStore) and just want to bring our recipes with us! Sent them a message a week+ ago and have had no response as yet. What a waste of $5, but I’m partially to blame for not looking into the feature before purchasing the app.

Its nice having a native iPhone app to easily view recipes and calculators from the website. However, the UI feels dated and could use an update. I also think that it should be free to try and use without the website. Syncing with the website could easily be an in-app purchase.

I've been brewing successfully for over four decades and have used various methods to formulate recipes and track results. This app has been my best brewing friend ever. My results are 100% satisfactory and I've learned a lot.

Well worth it if you're not looking to sync with the web version. Build recipes and keep some notes - easy enough.

This app is useful for working on recipes when inspiration strikes and is very helpful on brew day.

App is a good tool. The calculators are handy and I can do with out being able to sync (You need a premium subscription for that) . I would like to see an update that includes a recipe card that would put the whole recipe on one page and a display diastatic power like on the website.

Excellent app ~ does what I need it to do.

Does exactly what I want for the price. Not as capable as the website but I don't want something that complex. I want a streamlined brewing app that I can iterate recipes in and Brewer's Friend does exactly that.

The fact that this won't sync unless you shell out an additional $15 per year is a rip off. Additionally, the UI is at least 4 generations old. This is a glorified WebKit app for $5. It's not worth it, just use your free account and a laptop. I like the features of this app, but it shouldn't cost over $1.99. I would not have bought it had I known.

I’ve been using this app for over a year now- just a couple of minor issues I’ve had- there’s no way to put in a new value or different fermentable. I’ve been making ciders and beer with apple juice as a source of sugar and I cannot predict the outcome like you can with the recipe building section. Also when adjusting your recipe if your efficiency is set low, as in the case of seeping grains (I’ve seen estimates as low as 25%) and sugar is imputed as a fermentable the same 25% is applied to your sugar. Overall this app is fantastic. It’s a great tool to tweak your recipes to make sure your abv isn’t going to be crazy (and I like my abv around 14%), to predict the color, to calculate your actual abv, to prime your beer. If you’re just starting out this is an app that will help you.

For just a few dollars, you can have a great program that helps you to track and record your brews. While it is not the absolute end all be all, it is definitely a great start. After all, a little math has never hurt anyone (assuming you were born AFTER the enlightenment period). Cheers. 🍻

A really great app that helps you to create your own great beer recipes and helps out on brew day keeping everything straight. Very intuitive design and easy to use. Only thing I wish it did was give you the options to print your recipe or post it online to a social media outlet. You can link to their website but their website is a paid user subscription based page.

I love the Brewer's Friend website, and use it for all my recipe creation, inventory management, and brew sessions. Unfortunately the app falls far short of the standard set by the website. The absence of inventory & shopping functions is especially galling since the store is one of the places you're most likely to have your phone rather than laptop. The inability to sort brew sessions (or hide completed ones) is a pain, as is the inclusion of every single snapshot in the recipe list (especially since they're not differentiated in any way). With a few tweaks, this could be a real help; as it is it's only marginally useful.

It's nice to have this in my phone when discussing my recipes with friends or knowing what I have going on with my brews and what stage they are in. Would be nice to have the shopping list on it.

I am a premium member and heavy user of Brewers Friend, as other reviewers have also said. I have tried to leave feedback on the web page, but have not received a response. This app needs to be updated: - Beer styles need to be the same as the web page, which has been updated to conform to the 2015 Guidelines. At this point, new styles are mis-identified when recipes are synced to this app. - This app needs to allow users to sync to their inventory and shopping lists. - In my opinion, this app should include the yeast starter app, rather than having to purchase it separately.

Great app

I rely on this app every time I do a brew day. Incredibly handy to make modifications at my LHBS as I change my mind or based on the availability of ingredients. A couple things I wish would be updated: 1) The text fields scroll out of view when the keyboard pops up and it can be difficult to work with. 2) I wish I could turn on auto-syncing. I can’t tell you the number of times I made an update only to overwrite it later by accident from the web UI. 3) ingredient search.