A method and apparatus for forming a beverage. A brewer may be operated so that when water or other beverage precursor is detected to be heated to a desired temperature, the liquid may be provided to a brew chamber to form a beverage. In one embodiment, detection of the water temperature may be performed by a temperature cut off switch (TCO) which is normally closed to provide power to a water heater, but opens when the water reaches a predetermined temperature. Opening of the TCO may cause delivery of the liquid to the brew chamber, e.g., by causing pressurization of a reservoir containing the liquid. In another embodiment, control of delivery of water from the reservoir may be made based on power interruption to the heater. For example, an air pump may be controlled to deliver air to the reservoir in response to power to the heater being cut off.