Beer brewing made simple with the PicoBrew Pico Model C
The trimmed-down, affordable Model C is PicoBrew's best automatic brewer yet.
Automate your brew
The $400 PicoBrew Pico Model C simplifies your brew day. Using prepackaged ingredients called PicoPaks and distilled water, the Model C automatically whips up a batch of beer for you. Click through to see how the process works.
PicoPak
You can order a variety of PicoPaks on the PicoBrew website. PicoPaks make 5 liters of beer, which means you get roughly 14 bottles of beer from each batch.
At this point, PicoBrew has a wide variety of PicoPaks including lots of different beer styles from a worldwide assortment of brewers.
Malt
The Model C sticks to a traditional method of brewing, so PicoPaks include ingredients like malted barley.
Hops
PicoPaks also include packets of hops.
The step filter
Place the sealed PicoPak into the big plastic container called the Step Filter with the label facing out.
The hops cradle
You'll also place the included container of hops in the Step Filter after placing the hops into these metal brackets called the hops cradle.
Ready to roll
Once the PicoPak is in place, slide it into the main body of your PicoBrew Pico Model C. You can use the display to connect your Pico to the internet. The Model C will read a tag on the PicoPak and automatically know what it's brewing, adapting its settings accordingly.
Add water
Next, you'll need to add distilled water to a reservoir on top of the main body.
The brewing keg
You'll also need to add distilled water to a separate brewing keg.
Attach hoses
The lid of the brewing keg snaps shut, and then you need to attach clearly labeled hoses connecting the keg to the main appliance.
Hit start
Finally, you're all set and ready to hit start.
Ready to compost
You can compost the PicoPak when you're done. The cooking process takes about 2 hours and makes a batch of hot, unfermented beer called wort.
You'll need to let your wort cool, then add yeast and give it a few days to ferment.
Brewed
Once your beer is fermented, you'll use the Pico to transfer it to this separate serving keg. It's still not quite ready to drink. You'll need to add priming sugar and set it aside again to carbonate.
Wait a week or two, and you'll finally be ready to try the hoppy fruits of your labor.
A new Pico
The original Pico is now called the Pico Pro, and PicoBrew still offers it. The Model C trimmed the price, switched the body from stainless steel to plastic, and made brewing a little simpler.
All of the changes were smart ones, and the PicoBrew Model C is the best automatic brewer I've tested.