MiniBrew

What's in the box: A recipe kit for one batch, with malt milled to order, hops weighed for that brew and yeast matched to the style, ready to load into the MiniBrew machine.

MiniBrew is a Dutch home brewing system with three parts: a countertop machine, a Smart Keg, and recipe kits sold to go with them. You pick a kit or write your own all-grain recipe, load the ingredients and press start, and the machine runs the process. Each batch makes about 5 to 6 litres and takes roughly 3 to 30 days, depending on the style. You pour straight from the keg, so there is no bottling. Besides beer, the machine can make cider, kombucha and mead. The kits use whole ingredients rather than pods or extract. The malt is milled to order, the hops are weighed for each brew, and the yeast is matched to the style. You supply your own tap water. Kits are put together after you order, so expect dispatch in 2 to 4 working days. Partners in Germany, the UK and Switzerland handle shipping in their regions. The big hurdle is the upfront cost. The machine is €999 and kits start at €20, so the kits only make sense once you have bought the hardware. The site argues the machine pays for itself, but that assumes you brew regularly, which will not suit everyone. A 60 day return window and a personal setup call reduce the risk. The site does not clearly explain how its brewing plan or any recurring delivery works.