A brewing apparatus, such as a coffeemaker, including a hot water heater; a first temperature sensor connected to the hot water heater; a second temperature sensor connected to either a cold water inlet to the heater or a hot water outlet from the heater; a pump connected to the cold water inlet for supplying water to the heater; and a controller coupled to the pump and the sensors. The pump is a variable speed pump. The controller is adapted to adjust the speed of the pump based upon signals from the sensors.