One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of producing a mash extract, said method comprising: a. mashing particulate, starch-containing and optionally malted raw materials with a recirculated aqueous stream; b. heating the mash and enzymatically hydrolysing the starch; c. transferring the heat-treated mash into a first separator for separation into mash extract and spent grain; d. transferring the spent grain into a first mixing vessel and mixing it with sparging water; e. transferring the mixture of spent grain and sparging water into a second separator to remove spent grain; f. recirculating an aqueous stream from the second separator to the mashing step, wherein the gravity of the fermentable mash extract obtained from the first separator is maintained at above 15° P. The present method offers the advantage that it is highly efficient in terms of energy consumption and extraction yields. Furthermore, the present method achieves extremely high productivity in the operation of the brewhouse.The invention also provides an apparatus for carrying out the aforementioned method.