FAQs About Distilling Liquor

If you ever wonder just what is alcohol and what is the process of creating it before it ends up in your shot glass, the following FAQs about distilling liquor provide a start to the answers you seek.

Q: What is alcohol?

A: There are different types of alcohol; some alcohols are distilled and some are fermented. Fermented alcohols consist of beers, wines and almost any concoctions that contain sugar and yeast. In essence, fermented alcohols are drinks that have 'gone bad'. Distilled liquors are usually stronger and possess a distinct taste; examples include gin, rum and vodka.

Q: How is distilled alcohol made?

A: Distilling alcohol is almost the same process as purifying it. A fermented alcohol is placed in a container and heated. The resulting steam is pure alcohol. This alcohol is collected as it turns into steam and then diverted into another container and stored as a distilled spirit. Imagine taking an extremely hot shower, then getting out and looking at the mirror. The water you see running down the mirror is actually steam that has collected and started to drip. This is essentially the identical process utilized in the distillation of alcohol.

Q: What is used to make a still?

A: If you ask any backwoods logger or hunter, they can make a still out of practically anything. However, professional brewers and breweries usually use one of two metals: copper or steel. Copper is the most common choice but considered less efficient than steel because a small amount of water carries over to the alcohol. Steel column stills are able to extract a higher concentration of alcohol.