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Brewing beers with the PicoBrew Model C is easier than ever

We get our hands on and our brewing started with the PicoBrew Pico Model C.

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Andrew Gebhart
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1 of 9 Chris Monroe/CNET

Push a button, brew a beer

The Picobrew Pico Model C trims down the accessories and the price on the company's automatic brewer. The Model C costs $550 and turns prepackaged ingredients into beer at the push of a button. 

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PicoPaks

The prepackaged ingredients are called PicoPaks. PicoPaks cost roughly $20 and produce five liters of beer. They consist of malted barley, hops and yeast -- the main ingredients normally used when making beer. 

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Hops

The hops pack smelled great. 

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Must add water

You'll also need to add distilled water. 

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The brew keg

Distilled water goes into the upper compartment of the Pico and the brewing keg. 

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Hooked up

Attach the brewing keg to the Pico with the labeled hoses. 

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Brewing

The Pico will recognize your PicoPak. Hit a button and it'll kick into gear. 

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Automatic brewing

The Pico connects to Wi-Fi so you can monitor the progress of your beer while it cooks. 

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Wort ready to ferment

After a couple of hours, you'll have unfermented beer -- called wort. Cool it and add yeast to turn your wort into beer. You'll need to wait a week or so while your beer ferments and carbonates, but then you'll have your final product. 

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