Recirculation of the first runnings is known as ‘vorlauf’. To vorlauf in German means to run ahead. In brewing terms, it’s referring to the first runnings that come out of the mash tun when the bottom drain is opened. Vorlauf is a recirculation process as the cloudy first runnings are ahead of what is required, so the wort will be recirculated back on top of the mash bed to be re-run through the grains and cleared of the cloudiness in the process.
