What type of alcohol is used for processing alcoholic beverages?
As my organic prof used to say, "To the general public there are three kinds of alcohol; the kind you drink (ethyl alcohol), the kind you drink and go blind (wood or methyl alcohol) and the kind you rub on your back (rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol)." The point he was making is that there are literally thousands of alcohols but those three are the common ones that most people know about. Ethyl alcohol is the one in alcoholic beverages.
The type of alcohol commonly used for processing alcoholic beverages is ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol. Ethanol is the main type of alcohol found in alcoholic drinks, and it is produced through a process called fermentation.
Fermentation occurs when yeast or bacteria consume sugars present in various ingredients, such as grains (like barley or corn), fruits (like grapes or apples), or other plant materials (like sugarcane or agave). During fermentation, the yeast or bacteria convert the sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide.
The ethanol produced during fermentation is responsible for the alcoholic content of the beverage. Its concentration determines the potency and strength of the beverage. Ethanol is a versatile alcohol that is used to produce a wide range of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, spirits (such as whiskey, rum, vodka, gin, and tequila), and many others.
It's important to note that there are other types of alcohols, such as methanol or isopropyl alcohol, which should not be consumed as they can be toxic and harmful to human health. Ethanol, when produced and used responsibly, is safe for consumption in moderate amounts.