About Alcoholic Beverage Making
According to discoveriesinmedicine.com, alcohol is perhaps the oldest drug used by humans. For many years, the process of making alcohol has been studied and perfected.
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Different Types of Alcohol
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Alcohol on the market varies in alcoholic content as well as how it is processed. The three main types of alcohol are spirits, wine and beer. Spirits such as whiskey, brandy and rum are all composed of about 40 percent to 55 percent alcohol, while wine is composed of about 10 percent to 20 percent alcohol and beer consists of about 4 percent to 8 percent alcohol.
Process of Making Spirits
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Distilled alcohol, also called spirits, has a higher alcohol content than beer and wine. According to an article on discoveriesinmedicine.com, to make distilled alcohol, a mash of grains such as potatoes, corn, wheat or fruit juices is prepared and fermented. The mash is boiled so the vapors can condense and be cooled and collected. Depending on the type of spirits being made, flavors can be added and alcohol is sometimes diluted, and then bottled.
Process of Making Wine
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According to at-bristol.org.uk, wine is made from the sugars that come from the flesh of grapes. Wine varies from sweet to dry and from a light white color to a dark red wine. The type of wine depends on the type of grapes used as well as the aging process. When making wine, grapes are picked and then crushed. The grapes are then fermented and yeast is added to the sugars of the grapes and ethanol and carbon dioxide is then produced. The carbon dioxide is released and the alcohol is left. The final part of making wine is the aging process. Wine is aged in barrels or stainless steel vats.
Process of Making Beer
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Beer is made from barley, hops, yeast and water. According to SallyBernstein.com, making beer is broken down into two processes. First, malting is usually done by soaking barley in water to begin germination. During this time, enzymes are developing that break down into sugars and it is then heated. The malt solution is then combined with hops for seasoning. This is cooled and yeast is added for fermentation. The yeast then ferments, and alcohol is made. After fermentation is done, the beer is bottled and sugar might then be added, according to howtobrew.com.
Storing Alcohol
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Most alcohol is stored in cool, dry places. Wine is best preserved in a wine cellar that is cool and dry. Wine bottles should be stored on their sides so the cork can remain wet. According to beeradvocate.com, beer should also be stored in a cool area away from light and in temperatures of 50 55 degrees. Most distilled spirits have a long shelf life and never go bad. They can be stored in a dry place as well as a cabinet or pantry.
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