So… I Made My Own Beer
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know how much I enjoy a good craft beer. We’re talking Belgian-style Tripel Ales, rich malty stouts, smooth porters. The kind of beers that make you slow down and savor the moment. So when Pinter reached out asking if I wanted to try their at-home brew machine, my answer was an immediate yes.
Love of craft beer, natural curiosity, and ‘how hard could it be?’ add up to me diving headfirst into the world of homebrewing. And honestly? It felt like exactly the kind of new experience I’m always chasing.
Let me be clear: I am not a brewing expert. I’m just a craft beer enthusiast who decided to try something new. They sent me their Pinter Dark Matter, a classic stout, and spoiler alert: it was drinkable, but there was definitely a learning curve.
Related: The Best Places to Celebrate Oktoberfest 2023 in All 50 States
Why the Pinter Caught My Attention
My husband and I love visiting breweries – local spots, out-of-state finds, even international ones when we travel. We’ve made it a thing. Our favorites? Ommegang, Ballast Point, Founders... the kind of places where you can really taste the craftsmanship in every sip. That shared appreciation for craft beer brewing is one of those little things that connects us.
So, the idea of learning how to make beer at home? It had always intrigued me. Imagine being able to pour a glass and say, ‘I made this.’ The bragging rights alone! Plus, having draft beer at home whenever I want? Sign me up.
But here’s the thing – home brewing always felt intimidating. All those buckets, tubes, temperature readings, fermentation schedules… it seemed like something reserved for people with garages full of equipment and a lot more patience than I have.
Then the Pinter came along, promising simplicity. Designed for beginners. Minimal mess. No complex equipment. I thought, ‘What’s the worst that could happen? I try something new, add a skill to my repertoire, and maybe discover a new hobby.’ So I said yes.
What Is the Pinter Craft Beer Maker?
The Pinter at-home brew kit is essentially a countertop beer maker designed for people who want to brew at home without turning their kitchen into a science lab. You mix the provided ingredients with tap water, leave them to brew, then refrigerate. That’s the gist.
Instead of traditional brewing steps, Pinter uses what they call Fresh Press kits – pre-measured ingredient packs that take the guesswork out of the process. They offer everything from IPAs and lagers to stouts, sours, wheat beers, hard ciders, and even hard seltzers. They’re constantly adding new styles based on customer feedback, which I love.
Who is this really for? Craft beer lovers who want to experiment. Curious beginners like me. People who enjoy hands-on experiences but don’t want to go full chemistry professor.
My first impressions: The packaging was neat and thoughtful – nothing arrived broken, and the interior of the box had this cute greenery design. My five-year-old immediately claimed it for her pretend play, which was adorable. I have the Pinter 3 in Deep Gray ($149), and it’s sleek and modern. It looks good on my counter.
Was I intimidated? A little. Despite the simple design, I kept wondering how hard this would actually be. But that’s part of trying something new, right?
Related: Travel Guide: Good Food and Even Better Beer in San Diego
The Brewing Process: My Experience Step by Step
Choosing My Beer Style
I went with Pinter Dark Matter, their classic stout. It’s described as ‘a dark, sweet, full-bodied and slightly roasty ale with roasted barley and malt aromas and a hint of chocolate.’ I mean, hello – I’m a stout girl through and through. At 5.0% ABV, it seemed like a solid starting point for my first batch.
Setting It Up
I watched a few YouTube videos before diving in because I’m a visual learner. The Pinter app does have visual instructions, but seeing real people walk through the process helped me feel more prepared. The actual setup was easier than expected – the hardest parts were shaking everything up properly and then… waiting.
The Actual Process
From cleaning the Pinter to adding the yeast and Dark Matter mix, it was pretty straightforward. Check out my TikTok to see how I started the whole process. Once everything is cleaned and the mix, yeast, and water are in, it becomes surprisingly hands-off. The app keeps track of where you are in the process, from brewing to conditioning. Super helpful.
The Waiting Game
Here’s where I ran into my first bump (see what I did there?). Brewing takes about five days, but mine took longer because I forgot a crucial step: the Pinter needs to sit upright during brewing so the yeast can drop into the brew dock. I had it lying flat. Rookie mistake.
Luckily, the app made it easy to track the extra days I needed to add. Then came seven more days of conditioning. So yes – there were moments of ‘Did I mess this up?’ And the answer was: kind of. But I kept going.
The Moment of Truth: How the Beer Turned Out
First pour: It looked like a stout. Dark, rich, inviting. But the head? Minimal. The carbonation wasn’t where it should have been – it was supposed to be at level 5, but I forgot to move the dial from Off. Another rookie mistake. Sensing a theme here?
But the taste? Actually good. Slightly bitter with that chocolate note coming through. Medium body. Honestly, the flavor is on par with many store-bought craft stouts I’ve had. I just wish I hadn’t fumbled the carbonation. Still, it was drinkable, and I made it myself, which felt pretty amazing.
Was it better than expected? Yes. Exactly what I imagined? Not quite, thanks to my mistakes. But a pleasant surprise overall.
Would I serve this to friends? Next batch, absolutely. With proper carbonation, I’ll be proud to share. Each batch makes about 12 pints (roughly the equivalent of 9-10 standard 12-oz cans), so there’s plenty to go around.
What Worked Well
Despite my hiccups, there’s a lot to love about this system. The ease of use, once you understand the steps, is real. Cleanup is minimal; the brew dock is easy to clean, though I did notice the spout leaks a bit when pouring, so keep a paper towel handy.
The feeling of accomplishment? Unmatched. There’s something deeply satisfying about pouring a beer you made yourself. And honestly, it was fun. This fits perfectly into my busy life as someone who enjoys experiences and trying new things but doesn’t have hours to dedicate to complicated hobbies.
What I’d Do Differently Next Time
A few lessons learned: Pay attention to the position of the Pinter during brewing (upright, people!). Don’t forget to set the carbonation dial. And maybe watch even more videos before starting – the visual guides from fellow home brewers were invaluable.
Next time, I’m eyeing some of their other beer options: After Midnight (a Belgian Dark Ale), Deep Shade Coffee (an Imperial Stout), or Black Magic Hour (a Pumpkin Spice Stout). The variety is exciting.
The biggest takeaway? It’s always good to try something new, even when you don’t get it perfect the first time. That’s how we learn.
Who the Pinter Is (and Isn’t) For
This is perfect for craft beer lovers who like experimenting, first-time brewers curious about the process, and anyone who values the experience over perfection. It would also make an incredible gift for the beer enthusiast in your life: Father’s Day, birthdays, housewarmings, or even an anniversary gift for couples who love trying new things together.
Who might want to skip it? Hardcore brewers who want full control over every variable, or anyone expecting instant gratification. This takes time and patience. But if you’re okay with that, it’s genuinely rewarding.
What’s Next
Was it worth it? Absolutely. One thing to note: the conditioning phase happens in your refrigerator, and the Pinter needs to lie flat (horizontally) during this stage. Make sure you have enough space – we had to rearrange shelves and move things around to accommodate it. Just a heads up for your fridge Tetris planning.
Will I brew again? Without question. I’m already planning my next batch and determined to nail the carbonation this time. I’m curious to try more of their stout varieties and eventually branch out to other styles.
Good news for you: Pinter is offering my readers a FREE Pinter with the purchase of two beers when you sign up using code BEAUTYFREE – or just use this link, and it’s already applied.
The Beauty in the Bump
Here’s the thing about trying something new: it rarely goes exactly as planned. I made mistakes. I forgot some steps. I second-guessed myself more than once during those brewing days. But that’s the bump, isn’t it? The messy, imperfect, ‘am I doing this right?’ part of any new experience.
And there’s real beauty in that. In saying yes to something unfamiliar. In being okay with not getting it perfect the first time. In pouring that slightly less carbonated stout and thinking, ‘You know what? I made this.’
This is what I mean when I talk about intentional living – not chasing perfection, but chasing experiences. Growth doesn’t come from playing it safe. It comes from the bumps along the way, from the unexpected challenges that become our best stories.
So whether it’s learning to brew your own beer, booking that trip you’ve been putting off, or trying something that intimidates you just a little – lean in. The beauty is in the doing.
