! We actually did have a very nice "dynamic" BU:GU picture graph in an earlier BIABacus that ran on macros. This was a first as all others are pretty much static picture graphs. It was a bit of a shame to have to can it as it really did look nice
. However, it was gimmicky, just as many other things are and I'm now actually pleased it has gone. Things like this can be quite misleading, especially for new brewers...
Firstly, they reinforce the belief that numbers are all-important and repeatable.
Secondly, the ratios used for these pictorials were originally made up using incorrect IBU formulas. So, the basic ratios are dodgy to start with.
Thirdly, we have the next major problem in that the ratio will dramatically change depending on whether you use the Tinseth, Rage or Garetz hop bitterness calculation formula. (Have just updated
this old post which explains this problem more thoroughly.)
So Pete, treat that one as a gimmick because it really is. All it does is compare the average gravity for a style with the average bitterness (in theory). It is better that you look at the gravity range and bitterness range for a style rather than a ratio that just muddies the waters. And, knowledge will often serve you better than such a ratio. For example...
If I'm brewing a low alcohol APA, I will use a much smaller grain bill as full-strength but mashed at a higher temperature. However, I will use the same hop bill as I would in the full-strength version to cut through any cloyingness of the wort. If I worked on ratios, I would end up brewing a cloying, non-bitter APA.
Another big gimmick in software is the ability to scale a recipe to the right colour. That is really not right either
.
PP
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