An automated beverage generation system, comprising: an input mechanism that is configured to receive requests to produce brewed beverages; a controller that is configured to control the performance of a plurality of chemical or mechanical processes, each of which contributes to the production of a brewed beverage or a component thereof; and a plurality of mechanical components (104, 110, 114), each of which is configured for use during the performance of one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes; wherein in response to receiving a request to produce a specified brewed beverage through the input mechanism, the controller is configured to effect the production of the specified brewed beverage, wherein producing the specified brewed beverage comprises performing one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes, and wherein at least one of the one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes can be performed while one of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes is being performed as a contributing process in the production of the specified brewed beverage or another brewed beverage, characterized in that the controller is further configured to determine, based on actual or expected demand for brewed beverages, a time at which to perform one of the one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes for producing the specified brewed beverage, wherein determining a time at which to perform one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes comprises determining a priority of the request for producing the specified brewed beverage with respect to a priority of one or more other requests for brewed beverages that have been received but for which production of the requested brewed beverages have not yet been completed. an input mechanism that is configured to receive requests to produce brewed beverages; a controller that is configured to control the performance of a plurality of chemical or mechanical processes, each of which contributes to the production of a brewed beverage or a component thereof; and a plurality of mechanical components (104, 110, 114), each of which is configured for use during the performance of one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes; wherein in response to receiving a request to produce a specified brewed beverage through the input mechanism, the controller is configured to effect the production of the specified brewed beverage, wherein producing the specified brewed beverage comprises performing one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes, and wherein at least one of the one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes can be performed while one of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes is being performed as a contributing process in the production of the specified brewed beverage or another brewed beverage, characterized in that the controller is further configured to determine, based on actual or expected demand for brewed beverages, a time at which to perform one of the one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes for producing the specified brewed beverage, wherein determining a time at which to perform one or more of the plurality of chemical or mechanical processes comprises determining a priority of the request for producing the specified brewed beverage with respect to a priority of one or more other requests for brewed beverages that have been received but for which production of the requested brewed beverages have not yet been completed.