A brewing knowledge MCP server for beer styles, ingredients, and recipes.
Brewers Almanack
A brewing knowledge MCP server: beer styles, ingredients, off-flavour diagnosis, water chemistry, and recipe guidance for AI assistants.Ask your AI assistant about beer styles, diagnose off-flavours, build recipes, match water profiles, and pair food (all backed by real brewing data, not hallucinations).
6 tools. Zero config. Works with every MCP-compatible IDE.
Install
npx -y brewers-almanack
No API keys, no network dependencies. All brewing data is embedded.
Add to your IDE
Claude Code
claude mcp add brewers-almanack -- npx -y brewers-almanack
Claude Desktop
Add to ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) or %APPDATA%/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (Windows):
{
"mcpServers": {
"brewers-almanack": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "brewers-almanack"]
}
}
}
Cursor
Add to .cursor/mcp.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"brewers-almanack": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "brewers-almanack"]
}
}
}
VS Code (Copilot)
Add to .vscode/mcp.json:
{
"servers": {
"brewers-almanack": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "brewers-almanack"]
}
}
}
Windsurf
Add to ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"brewers-almanack": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "brewers-almanack"]
}
}
}
Zed
Add to settings.json:
{
"context_servers": {
"brewers-almanack": {
"command": {
"path": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "brewers-almanack"]
}
}
}
}
Tools
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
search_styles |
Search 85 BJCP beer styles by name, category, or characteristics. Returns vital statistics, overall impression, ingredients, and commercial examples. |
search_ingredients |
Search hops, malts, yeasts, and adjuncts by name, type, or characteristic. Filter by category or search across all. |
diagnose_off_flavour |
Identify off-flavours from taste or aroma descriptions. Returns the likely compound, causes, prevention steps, and styles where it may be acceptable. |
match_water_profile |
Find brewing water profiles by city name or beer style. Returns mineral composition (Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, SO4, HCO3) and style recommendations. |
suggest_recipe |
Generate a recipe for a target beer style. Returns grain bill, hop schedule, yeast selection, water profile, and process parameters. |
pairing_guide |
Beer and food pairing suggestions. Search by beer style or dish name. Returns matches with complement, contrast, and cleanse principles. |
Example Conversations
"What hops work in a Belgian Dubbel?"
Searches ingredients for hops that complement Belgian styles, returning varieties like Styrian Goldings and Saaz with alpha acid ranges, aromas, and substitutes.
"My beer tastes like butter, what went wrong?"
Diagnoses diacetyl: identifies the compound, explains causes (incomplete fermentation, premature racking), and gives prevention steps (diacetyl rest, healthy yeast pitch).
"Suggest a recipe for a West Coast IPA"
Builds a complete recipe: pale malt base with crystal malt, Centennial/Cascade hop schedule with dry hop additions, American ale yeast, and a Burton-style water profile.
"What food pairs well with a stout?"
Returns pairing suggestions (oysters
Tools (6)
search_stylesSearch 85 BJCP beer styles by name, category, or characteristics.search_ingredientsSearch hops, malts, yeasts, and adjuncts by name, type, or characteristic.diagnose_off_flavourIdentify off-flavours from taste or aroma descriptions.match_water_profileFind brewing water profiles by city name or beer style.suggest_recipeGenerate a recipe for a target beer style.pairing_guideBeer and food pairing suggestions.Configuration
{"mcpServers": {"brewers-almanack": {"command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "brewers-almanack"]}}}