AI Generated Beer

Slides from our April 2026 meeting. James Cross gave us a talk about how he's using AI in some of his home brewing process.

Transcript

1. AI-Generated Beer LAB Online Meeting • 20 April 2026 James Cross
2. Caveats & Disclaimers  AI Limitations • LLMs can hallucinate and don't recognize it. • They often make mistakes in maths (e.g., recipe calculations) and physics (e.g., racking techniques).  Personal Context • Not an expert on LLMs, AI, or brewing (that's why I use AI!) • These are just my personal experiments in home brewing "Judge LLMs by results, not words!"
3. Experiments 1. Exam Practice BJCP online exam practice using interactive AI prompts to master style guidelines.  2. Score Sheets BJCP score sheets using Gemini Voice Mode for real-time tasting feedback.  3. Beer Labels Generative design for custom craft beer labels using beer name and description  4. Brewing Assistant Jim: A specialized LLM assistant for recipe formulation and troubleshooting. 
4. BJCP Online Exam Practice Aims • Learn the BJCP Style Guidelines • Answer 180 multiple choice questions in 60 minutes Results • Gemini created an interactive quiz in Canvas • Passed first time, in 35 minutes The Prompt "Create a sample BJCP online beer exam with 10 questions. After each question, prompt me for the answer and mark my answer as correct or incorrect, explaining why. Keep a running total of my score. Use metric units."  Link to quiz
5. BJCP Score Sheets Problems • Score sheets are time consuming to fill in • Need to practice at home without comparing with another judge Solution • Use Gemini Voice Mode to chat while tasting • Voice Mode requires a suitable prompt with links to BJCP categories and fault list for best results Demo Featuring a random bottle from the store play_c
6. Beer Labels Problems • I am not a graphic designer • Adapting design to both bottle and 'bishop tap' handle • AI slop (see below) Prompt (Gemini Image Creation) "You are a graphic designer with an interest in packaging labels. Your task is to design a printable label based on a beer name and recipe or details provided by the user." Results • Initial results promising, but struggle with specific requested changes • Bishop Tap Handles: difficult to fit template to desired shape
7. Beer Label Design Examples Double Vision Double IPA Plum Ruffian Rhubarb & Plum Saison Cross Christmas Ale Traditional Old Ale Fortior Quam Credis Belgian Quad
8. Bishop Tap Handle Design Template Result
9. Jim the Home Brewer Aims Troubleshoot brewing problems Develop recipes Brew better beer Approach Gemini Gem with guided learning Use reference material (e.g. Palmer, BJCP Reference inventory of brewing ingredients
10. Jim the Home Brewer - Instructions System Persona & Goals You are an experienced all-grain home brewer providing expert advice, recipe formulations, and troubleshooting for high-quality beer. Purpose: • Honest, concise, expert feedback on processes and recipes. • 21-litre metric all-grain recipe formulation. • Competition-level optimization (water chemistry, mash, hops). • Equipment guidance Brewzilla 35l, BIAB, Fermzilla). Core Behaviors & Specs 1. Assessment: Direct feedback without flattery; identify plan flaws. 2. Specifications: • 75% mash efficiency assumption. • Salt additions for RO water; Campden for tap water. • RAPT profiles for diacetyl/acetaldehyde control. 3. Recipe & Fermentation • Provide: Grain bill, Hop schedule, Yeast, & Water targets. • Focus on closed transfers & pressure fermentation. • Oxygenate high-gravity worts. • Advise on 'cleanup' rests. Knowledge Base • BJCP 2021 Guidelines • BJCP Study Guide & Faults • How to Brew John Palmer)
11. Cross Christmas Ale | Sample Recipe OG 1.062 FG 1.019 ABV 5.7% IBU 40 SRM 18 Style: Old Ale FERMENTABLES 4.7 kg - Maris Otter Pale 72.3% 0.5 kg - Heritage Crystal 7.7% 0.5 kg - Invert Sugar No 3 7.7% 0.3 kg - Aromatic Malt 4.6% 0.3 kg - Flaked Torrified Oats 4.6% 0.1 kg - Black Malt 1.5% 0.1 kg - Amber Malt 1.5% HOP SCHEDULE 60 min: 30 g Challenger AA 8.5 15 min: 20 g Fuggles AA 4.5 15 min: 20 g Bramling Cross AA 6.5 WP 15m: 30 g Fuggles AA 4.5 WP 15m: 30 g Bramling Cross 6.5 YEAST & WATER YEAST Wyeast 1968  London ESB Ale WATER PROFILE (mg/L) Ca: 100 | Mg: 10 | Na: 30 Cl: 100 | SO4 50
12. Jim the Home Brewer - Feedback Cross Christmas Ale - Feedback Drinkers described it as ‘deliciousʼ and liked the ‘baked appleʼ flavour (esters from London ESB Ale 1968? Judges liked the recipe but marked it down for acetaldehyde (‘rushed fermentationʼ - Jim said it was ready) When given the score sheets, Jim blamed me for poor fermentation control! Subsequent Brews Mid 30 scores in recent competitions Only 1 failure (under-attenuated) out of 7 brews
13. The Future of AI Brewing • AI is a powerful assistant for recipe formulation, but sensory evaluation remains human. • Use Voice Mode and interactive prompts to bridge the gap between theory and tasting. • Reliability is key: Always verify "hallucinated" physics and maths in AI brewing "Judge LLMs by results, not words!"  Gemini wrote this slide