LG develops capsule beer brewing machine

LG Electronics’ beer brewing machine HomeBrew and a set of capsules. / Courtesy of LG Electronics

By Baek Byung-yeul

LG Electronics has developed a capsule-based craft beer brewing machine to capitalize on the rapidly growing demand for homemade beer, the company said Tuesday.

LG said its HomeBrew beer brewing machine will officially debut at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show, which will take place in Las Vegas from Jan. 9 to 12.

Though there are other beer brewing kits on the market, LG said its HomeBrew machine is distinguished from those kits as it automates the whole beer brewing procedure such as fermentation, carbonation and aging.

“While people using beer brewing kits are required to complete various steps, LG's HomeBrew machine doesn't ask consumers to follow those procedures. Once consumers activate the machine, it brews quality beers automatically in only about two weeks,” an LG spokesman said.

LG said it takes about two weeks depending on the beer type and the machine can produce up to five liters of the beverage. To make the beer, consumers are required to insert four capsules ― containing malt, yeast, hop oil and flavoring ― and press an activation button.

With the machine, consumers can make five different types of beer ― American IPA, American Pale Ale, English Stout, Belgian-style Witbier and Czech Pilsner. Since the machine uses capsules, LG added consumers wouldn't have to worry about sanitizing the machine as it automatically sanitizes itself.

The price of the HomeBrew machine is not decided yet. LG said it plans to sell the machine for rental customers in the Korean market.

“We have not fixed the price of the machine yet, but we are considering selling this for rental customers here,” the spokesman said.

LG said it decided to develop the beer brewing machine to attract not only craft beer fans but also homebrewers. “As more people value the taste of beer, the craft beer market is getting bigger, so we deiced to venture into the craft market with the HomeBrew machine,” the spokesman said.

According to market researcher Grand View Research, the global craft beer market was estimated at $85 billion in 2015 and is expected to grow to $502.9 billion by 2025 with an annual average growth rate of 19 percent.

“Homebrewing has grown at an explosive pace but there are still many beer lovers who haven't taken the jump because of the barrier to entry and these are the consumers we think will be attracted to LG HomeBrew,” said Song Dae-hyun, head of the firm's home appliance & air solution division.