Sparg

Sparg is not a widely established term in its own right within standard reference works. In most cases, it appears as a misspelling or variant of related words such as sparge or sprag. Because of this, entries bearing the word sparg typically address the related concepts rather than a distinct subject called sparg.

In brewing, sparge (noun or verb) refers to the process of rinsing a mash with hot water to extract sugars before lautering. The sparge step helps separate the fermentable liquid (wort) from the spent grain. There are common sparging methods, including batch sparging and fly sparging, each with its own procedural details and temperature ranges for the sparge water.

Sprag is a separate term that sometimes confuses readers when encountered as sparg. A sprag is a one-way locking or braking component used to prevent backward rotation in mechanical systems. Sprags appear in devices such as sprag clutches, certain transmission components, and other assemblies where unidirectional motion is required. Although distinct from sparge, the similarity in spelling can lead to misinterpretation of sparg as referring to sprag in technical contexts.

Beyond these connections, there is no widely recognized standalone definition or widely used concept for sparg in major dictionaries or technical encyclopedias. When sparg appears, the intended meaning is usually inferred from surrounding text, and readers are advised to consider whether sparge or sprag was meant.