An automatic beverage brewing apparatus (20) which includes: a brew chamber assembly (24); a piston assembly (26) projecting through the brew chamber assembly (24); a drive apparatus (28) attached to the piston assembly (26) for moving the piston assembly (26) through the brew chamber (24); and a water distribution system (30) for distributing brew water and flush water to the brew chamber assembly (24). The piston assembly (26) can be controllably axially disposed and rotated. The piston assembly (26) comprises a generally elongated spool member (58) and an elongated shank portion (60) connected to the spool member (58). A throat (128) is formed through a top end (42) of the brew chamber (24) and a drain hole (132) formed in a bottom end (44) of the brew chamber (24). The piston assembly (26) is positioned inside of the brew chamber assembly (24) and is capable of releasably sealing both the throat (128) and the drain (132) by being axially moved through the brew chamber (24). A spray port (178) is attached to the spool member (58) and receives water from a flush water bore (172) extending through the spool member (58) and the shank portion (60) for rinsing the inside of the brew chamber (24). <IMAGE>
