Anyone who cannot perform all of the calculations required to formulate a recipe and operate a brew house without the aid of software is not a brewer. Learning these calculations are part and parcel of learning to become a brewer. Brew house calculations are brewing fundamentals much in the way that calculus and differential equations are part of an engineer’s fundamentals.
Starting simple and periodically adding complexity allows a brewing apprentice to experience the hobby from a very different perspective. For example, I spent a good part my first year of brewing as a partial-mash brewer. By partial mash brewer, I do not mean extract with specialty grains. I mean 5-gallon brewer who derives a percentage of his/her extract from mashing and lautering. In order to become an accomplished partial mash brewer without the aid of software, one has to learn how to compute mash extraction rates in points per pound per gallon (PPG) because the extract is going to be mixed with dry or liquid extract with a known PPG value (a fundamental that is learned while formulating extract recipes). I would have never learned that valuable lesson if I had jumped into all-grain brewing by parroting what a piece of software told me to do. Moving from PPG extraction rates to extraction efficiency percentages is little more than dividing a total gravity points (TGP) by a weighted total of dry basis, fine grind (DBFG) or hot water extract (HWE) values for the grains in the grist. TGP is part of the PPG calculation. These calculations are fundamentals that all brewers should know how to perform without having to resort to using software or a textbook, and they are best learned one or two calculations at a time.
Here’s what I’d do if I were to start today:
I absolutely advocate for starting with all grain!
This is great advice to get started and avoid some pitfalls as far as a source to get equipment what do u guys recommend?
If you are reasonable driving distance from a home brew store go in and see what they have. I bought the kit I did because it was available and I could talk to the folks in the store when I got it. But I drink slow and a 5 gallon batch lasted me forever so I am scaling down to one gallon. I only have my 2nd batch fermenting now (and its cider), my next is going to be a Brooklyn brew kit also, because I want the small batch and they had them kitted in my favorite style (I want to do a couple kits before I try just working from a recipe). Also if you bottle don’t assume after the 2 weeks it is what it is, my first beer was just OK, but the summer ale I brewed got better with age and the stuff I opened months later (when it was summer again) was really good.
+1 to this
+2…and I’m smart enough to not use a step mash!
Mark, I love you passion, but this is elitist bull crap.
Like many things Mark advocates, what’s right for him may not be right for other people…like you and me!
If I didn’t have software, I would have created a spreadsheet to do the work for me.
Then I’m in good company [emoji6]
I don’t disagree with the idea that brewers ought to strive for better understanding of the process. But you’re not a brewer unless… ? I called elitist bull crap because I’m just trying to help Mark not throw out the petite mutants with the surfactant.
If I was to take Mark’s statement at face value, then I’m not a brewer. A bit like the people who say that using a Zymatic is not brewing…says who? Who’s making the rules? Who’s keeping score? As I’ve said before, this is HOMEbrewing and we each get to define what means for us.
I did calculations long enough not to miss them when the good software came out. Same reason I can live with myself just fine if I use a Casio calculator. I think knowing how to do the calculations first is a good thing, but I work a lot and have kids - bring on the software. 
Zymatic is to brewing what a washer and dryer are to laundry.
THIS^^^^^ I’m gonna steal that quote!
You don’t go down to the creek and beat the clothes between rocks? My grandmother heated the water to do laundry on a wood cook stove, had tubs to wash in, then a hand cranked wringer that the clothes were run through before the clothes line to dry.
Today we discuss front load vs top load.
Denny, just make sure you give credit where credit is due. Ben Franklin said it first! ;D
From my point of view, here’s the thing. I don’t want to be an ENGINEER, I don’t even want to be a BREWER. I’m retired. I’m math challenged. Hell, I threw cases for most of my working career. I just want to be a HOMEBREWER. And if I need software to get the job done, what do you care? It’s not like I’m going to share my beer with anyone else.
Well Said!
+1, I like it!
Great points by all. Love my software and makes it all simplified for me. I agree that the access to info online makes for learning brewing so much easier. I didn’t like extract and moved into all grain quickly- greatly and by this forum, software, and online reading/learning.