BrewGuide
Your Personal Pour-Over Coffee Coach
Pour-over coffee is the brewing method where technique matters more than any other. Small differences in water temperature, grind size, pour speed and bloom time change the taste of the final cup in ways you can actually notice. That's the appeal, but it's also the problem. Most people who buy a V60 or a Chemex spend months getting mediocre results because they're guessing at all those variables at once.
BrewGuide removes the guesswork. It walks you through each brew step by step, telling you exactly when to start pouring, how much water to add at each stage and how long to wait before moving on. The app tracks the time for you, so you're not juggling a kettle and a stopwatch and a scale all at once.
Every recipe begins with a bloom. That's a short pour where a small amount of hot water saturates the grounds and lets them release carbon dioxide before the main extraction starts. The timing of the bloom affects how evenly the rest of the water moves through the coffee bed. BrewGuide times it automatically and tells you when to move to the next pour, so you don't have to guess.
The app includes recipes for V60, Kalita Wave, Chemex, Origami and other drippers. Each dripper has its own recipe because the brew dynamics are genuinely different. A V60 drains fast and rewards precise pouring. A Kalita Wave has a flat bottom with three small holes that slow the drawdown and forgive minor pouring inconsistencies, making it friendlier for beginners. V60 tends to produce a brighter, more complex cup; Kalita Wave produces a smoother, fuller-bodied result.
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Key benefits
- Step-by-Step Timer: Auto-advancing timer guides you through each brewing phase
- Video Guides: Looping demonstrations of professional pouring techniques
- Multiple Drippers: Optimized recipes for V60, Kalita, Chemex, Origami and more
- Custom Profiles: Create, edit and save unlimited brewing profiles
- Taste Notes: Journal your results with ratings and detailed observations
- Background Themes: Choose from wood, metal, white or dark aesthetics
Use cases
- Master the fundamentals of pour-over coffee with guided instructions
- Ensure consistency across every cup with precision timing and weight targets
- Experiment with different variables and track the results in your taste journal
Privacy
Pricing
paid
What's new
v1.0.0
Initial release with guided brewing timer, video guides and profile management.
FAQ
Which drippers are supported?
BrewGuide includes optimized recipes for Hario V60, Kalita Wave, Chemex, Origami, Fellow Stagg and Melitta drippers, plus support for custom drippers.
Does it work offline?
Yes, all features, including video guides and your saved profiles, work completely without an internet connection.
What equipment do I need to get started?
You need a dripper (like a V60 or Kalita Wave), paper filters, a gooseneck kettle (recommended for control), a scale and a grinder. BrewGuide handles the timer for you.
What water temperature should I use?
Light roasts brew best at higher temperatures (93-99°C / 200-210°F) because they need more heat to extract fully. Dark roasts prefer cooler water (85-90°C / 185-195°F) to avoid bitterness. When in doubt, aim for around 90-93°C.
What is blooming and why does it matter?
Blooming is the initial pour where you wet the grounds with a small amount of water and let them rest for 30-60 seconds. Freshly roasted beans release carbon dioxide that blocks even extraction. Blooming lets that gas escape first, so the main pour saturates the grounds evenly and produces a more balanced cup.
Why does grind size matter so much?
Grind size controls how fast water flows through the coffee bed. Finer grounds slow the flow and increase extraction; coarser grounds let water pass through faster. If your coffee is bitter, grind coarser. If it tastes sour or thin, grind finer.
My coffee tastes bitter. What went wrong?
Bitterness usually means over-extraction. The most common causes are grinding too fine, water that is too hot or a brew time that ran too long. Try grinding coarser first, then lower the water temperature if bitterness persists. For dark roasts, aim for 85-90°C rather than a full boil.
My coffee tastes sour or weak. What should I fix?
Sourness points to under-extraction: the water moved through the grounds too quickly. Grind finer to slow the flow, use slightly hotter water and make sure the bloom fully wets all the grounds before you start the main pour.
The water is draining really slowly and the coffee tastes bitter. How do I fix it?
A slow drawdown usually means the grind is too fine or your grinder is producing a lot of fine dust that clogs the filter. Grind coarser and pour more gently. If the problem continues, sifting your grounds before brewing or upgrading to a burr grinder will make a significant difference.
Should I rinse the paper filter before brewing?
Yes. Running hot water through the filter before adding coffee removes the papery taste that would otherwise end up in your cup and it preheats the dripper so the brew temperature stays stable. Always discard the rinse water before adding your grounds.
What is the difference between a V60 and a Kalita Wave?
The V60 has a single large hole and a conical shape, which drains fast and rewards precise pouring technique. The Kalita Wave has a flat bottom with three small holes that slow the drawdown and forgive minor pouring inconsistencies, making it friendlier for beginners. V60 tends to produce a brighter, more complex cup; Kalita Wave produces a smoother, fuller-bodied result.
How we compare
Why choose BrewGuide over Basic Timers and Web Recipes?
| Feature | BrewGuide | Basic Timers and Web Recipes |
|---|---|---|
| Guidance | Real-time, step-by-step coaching with video demonstrations. | Static text instructions or simple countdown timers. |
| Customization | Save unlimited custom profiles for different beans and drippers. | Manual adjustments or one-size-fits-all recipes. |
| Precision | Auto-advancing steps with target weights for every stage. | Manual timing and mental math for water weight. |
| Native Feel | Fully native iOS app. Fast, offline and responsive. | Slow-loading websites or non-native hybrid apps. |
Need help?
View full support page for BrewGuide — FAQs, troubleshooting, and contact options.
Or email us directly: [email protected]