Brewken review
A free desktop toolkit covering recipes, batches, inventory, sales and duty calculations.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Brewken is open-source brewing software designed by and for microbrewers. It brings recipe design and scaling, inventory management with cost tracking, brew logging, batch management, a sales ledger and duty calculation into one desktop application. Windows, macOS and Linux project directories support deployment across the three major desktop platforms, making it a fit for solo operators and small breweries that want a local brewing workflow.
The free, open-source model suits breweries that need core production and commercial records without adopting a paid software tier. Recipe management supports design and scaling, while inventory tools connect stock levels with cost tracking. Brew logs and batch management provide production records, and the sales ledger extends the scope beyond brewing operations. Duty calculation adds a compliance-oriented function, so the feature set spans planning, production, inventory, sales and related calculations rather than focusing only on recipes.
Brewken’s desktop deployment keeps the workflow centered on installed applications, and its integration coverage is narrower than connected brewery systems. The project is also described as being at a very early stage of development, which matters for breweries seeking a mature operational platform. Choose Brewken if local desktop software, open-source access and broad core brewing coverage are the priorities. Breweries that depend on extensive integrations, shared web access or a more established production environment should look for an alternative built around those requirements.
Brewken pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Recipe design and scaling with inventory cost tracking
- Brew logging and batch management in one desktop application
- Sales ledger with duty calculation across Windows, macOS and Linux
- Where it doesn't
- Desktop deployment limits access to browser-based workflows
- Integration coverage is narrower than connected brewery systems
- The project is at a very early stage of development
Brewken fact sheet, pricing and score →
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