PicoBrew Pico (Photo : YouTube)
PicoBrew has a new home brew machine that makes tasty craft beer and functions like Keurig's K-Cup pod system, which produces a cup of coffee. The Pico beer-making device produced by the startup of ex-Microsoft executive Bill Mitchell uses prepackaged pods to whip up small 5-liter (1.3-gallon) batches of the refreshing alcoholic drink.
This machine is roughly the size of a big microwave, according to Eater. Users just have to toss PicoPaks' (pods) contents into the device, which include one pod with grains and hops, and another one with yeast.
PicoBrew's Kickstarter campaign states that PicoPaks are available in 50 craft beer breweries. They have a price point starting at about $19.
One key drawback of the Pico is that no "mini keg" is included to store the beer, so extra counter-top space is required for that, according to Bloomberg. Besides that, users will also have to free up fridge space to chill the beer. The device is also a hefty 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms).
Pico will be launched in Spring 2016, with a price point of about $1,000. However, early bird buyers can get one for about half the retail price: $499.
PicoBrew has had other Kickstarter campaigns. This year the company also rolled out a campaign for the smart "kegerator" known as KegSmarts, which keeps brew batches at an ideal temperature, and shows the remaining servings and beer freshness.
Craft beer has become one of the fastest growing sectors in the industry. In 2014 an average 1.5 new craft breweries opened daily, while the favorite craft beer style was India Pale Ales (IPAs).
Here is a first look at the PicoBrew Pico:
