A system comprises a cartridge (9) containing a beverage ingredient and a device (1) for brewing the ingredient in the cartridge by supplying a brewing liquid such as heated water into the cartridge. The device has upstream and downstream cartridge enclosing parts (7, 8) relatively movable between an open position for inserting and/or removing the cartridge and a closed position for forming a brewing chamber (11) enclosing the cartridge during brewing. The brewing chamber (11) has a confining expansion space (12) which is: unoccupied by the cartridge (9) when the enclosing parts (7, 8) are in the closed position enclosing the cartridge; and occupied by the cartridge upon expansion thereof caused by exposure of the ingredient to the brewing liquid.