Lautering is a process used in brewing to separate the liquid wort from the solid grain after mashing. During mashing, grains are soaked in hot water, allowing enzymes to convert starches into sugars. Once this process is complete, lautering helps to extract these sugars while leaving behind the spent grains. The process typically involves a vessel called a lauter tun, which has a false bottom or slotted plate to allow liquid to flow through while retaining the solids. The wort is then collected and can be boiled with hops before fermentation, leading to the production of beer.