Abstract: A precooler apparatus and method for using the same, used in combination with a downstream heat exchange system for increasing the speed of cooling beerwort and enabling a lower final temperature of the cooled beerwort. The precooler is a closable portable unit equipped with various potential configurations involving inlets, outlets, conduit, connections and valves. The precooler exhibits a chamber for holding cooling media, which may be readily recharged. The inlet to the precooler apparatus accepts a cooling water solution, which may be either passed through the interior chamber and through the cooling media or configured to bypass the cooling media within the interior chamber, before being routed to the outlet of the precooler apparatus and subsequently to a heat exchange system.