Brewing 101: The Hot Break

Hot break is the protein that coagulates as foam on top of the wort before the boil starts, and as it reaches a boil it "breaks" due to its collected mass and falls out to the bottom of the kettle.

As you can see in the video the brewer, Kyle aka Yukon Cornelius, constantly stirs as the wort, unfermented beer, comes to a boil.  As the wort comes to a boil the hot break rises to the top of the boil kettle resembling the meringue on top of a pie.  Stirring breaks up the protein that coagulates on top of the wort.  If the brewer does not stir, there is a risk of boil over.  It has happened to most brewers, resulting in wort ruthlessly boiling over the sides of the boil kettle like the Mongol hoard over the Jin Capitol City walls, only leaving behind the sticky remnants of your tactical error, MUAHAHAHAH.  Anyways, wash your coffee cup, tip your waitress, and always STIR YOUR WORT!!!

 Cheers,