lautering
Batch sparging
Drain the mash fully, add a measured volume of rinse water, stir and drain again — trading a few points of efficiency for simplicity and speed.
What is actually happening
Stirring redistributes the retained sugar evenly through the added water, so a single drain recovers most of it. Because the bed is re-formed each time, the risk of compacting it is lower.
Related steps and concepts
- Fly sparging — The continuous alternative.
Also at the lautering stage
Fly sparging · Lautering · No-sparge brewing · Parti-gyle brewing · Sparging
See the whole process in order on how beer is made.
Last reviewed 2026-08-16.