läuter

Läuter refers to a process of purification or refinement, often used in brewing and distilling. In brewing, it is the stage where the wort, the sugary liquid extracted from malted grains, is separated from the spent grains. This separation is crucial for clarity and to prevent off-flavors from the residual grain material. The lauter tun is a vessel specifically designed for this purpose, featuring a false bottom or filter bed through which the wort drains. The process involves a "Vorlauf" or recirculation phase, where the initial cloudy wort is returned to the top of the grain bed to clarify. This is followed by the "Abläutern" or sparging, where hot water is gently sprayed over the grain bed to rinse out the remaining sugars.

In distilling, Läuterung can refer to a similar process of separating the liquid from solids after fermentation, or more broadly to any stage where impurities are removed from the spirit. This can involve various techniques depending on the spirit being produced, aiming to achieve a desired purity and flavor profile. The concept of Läuterung emphasizes the removal of unwanted elements to enhance the desirable qualities of the final product. The term originates from German and directly translates to "purification" or "refinement."