So part of the thing that I first wanted to have when I decided to do this blog was the ability to publish my recipes without having to copy/paste HTML into a post. The minimum requirements for the solution were:

• All my recipes are in one section of the site
• Readers have ability to pull down the BeerXML version of the recipe
• Use XSLT for HTML output (minimize changes when decide to change how recipes are displayed)
• Wanted to be able to go straight from my brewing software to the site

I’m a software developer, and I thought, I’ll just build something. I always think that, then immediately think, I’d rather be at the pub. I deal with programming all day, and the last thing that I want to do is come home and deal with it some more. This site was supposed to be about beer, not programming.

Since I had recently switched to BeerSmith which exports to XML, I thought it would be a snap to find some plugin that would allow me to upload recipes straight to the site and be done. I found Ben Belchak’s BeerXML Plugin for WordPress. It almost fit the bill perfectly. So I downloaded it and tinkered until I had what I needed. I’d say it’s about 90% there, so I feel it’s good enough to lift the curtain on it.

So here’s the new Beer Recipes section. Feedback is welcomed on the recipes, formatting, missing features, or whatever.

The site has been neglected, content-wise, for a couple of weeks. I’ve been focusing on plugging in the new Recipes section of the site, finishing the Cloud Cover post-winter ale, and shouldering an unusually heavy work load at the office. Having those items behind me, the drought ends today with a record 3 posts! OK … admitedly two significant new posts and this extra post to make it look like a posting extraveganza. Plus, 3 is so much better than 2 … specifically one better. Enjoy!