Forget Nespresso – now you can brew beer from a capsule
THE dubious joys of home-brewed beer have, by reputation, traditionally been confined to die-hard fanatics happy to have foul-smelling concoctions bubbling away in their sheds.
But all that could change, as three firms are planning to bring out Nespresso-style machines which promise to take the effort, mess and much of the time out of the previously niche hobby.
Users simply put a capsule or pack of ingredients into the gadget and rely on an app to control temperature and pressure.
Korean technology giant LG’s Homebrew, to be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month, claims its microwave-sized machine can produce nine pints in a fortnight. It uses capsules containing malt, yeast and hop extract to brew beer in a range of styles, from English stout to Czech pilsner, in half the time it traditionally takes.
Two rival machines, BeerMKR and Minibrew, are also going on sale early next year.
The BeerMKR takes a week to make a gallon, with makers claiming each new batch can be started in just five minutes.
Co-founder Aaron Walls said: ‘Put a brew pouch into the machine, fill the system with water, then add your ingredients. Open the app and press brew and the machine takes it from there.’ The wifi-connected gadget controls temperature and carbon dioxide levels.
‘You will get notifications on your phone about what’s happening inside your brew or if you’re needed to pitch yeast or add dry hops,’ said Mr Walls.
The machines cost $299 (about £240), with the beer then costing £1.27 a pint – cheaper than craft ales but more expensive than some mass-produced beers available in supermarkets.
Traditionally, home-brewers have had to disinfect their kit, but the LG system is self-cleaning, while BeerMKR’s parts can be put in a dishwasher.
However, not everyone is convinced – not least because nine pints a fortnight might not slake the thirst. Peter Robinson, of the National Association of Wine and Beer Makers, said: ‘I don’t think you can really call this brewing. This takes all the fun and glorious uncertainty out of our hobby.
‘I don’t think this will appeal to genuine home-brewers, but I suspect there is a market among those who like gadgets.’