Neutral grain spirit

China Product


Availability in market areas

Because of its high alcohol content, neutral grain spirit is illegal, unavailable, or difficult to find in many areas.

Canada marinated tofu

In Canada, The Luxco product Everclear is only sold in the province of Alberta. In British Columbia, one can purchase neutral grain spirits only with a permit for medical, research, or industrial use. Neutral grain spirits are also sold in Quebec from the producer Alcool Global. soy milk estrogen

United States orange juicer

Everclear, Golden Grain Alcohol, and Gem Clear are three brands of neutral grain spirit sold in the United States.

It is illegal to sell the 190-proof variety of neutral grain spirit (i.e., Everclear, Golden Grain Alcohol, or Gem Clear) in some states of the United States California, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. In some of these states, the 151-proof variety of Everclear may be sold.

In the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia, grain alcohol lacking distinctive color, odor, and flavor, while not illegal, is not sold at any liquor stores owned by the State (compare, for example, that beverages such as Southern Comfort, a flavored liqueur that has grain alcohol as its base, are sold). Because the State of Virginia has a self-legislated monopoly on the sale of hard liquor, independent liquor stores are illegal, and the product is thus mostly unavailable. In some cases, however, liquor stores on U.S. military bases in the State do sell grain alcohol, and small quantities may be imported on one person from nearby states.

Europe

In Europe, neutral alcohol is sold in some countries. Since it is usually distilled from grain, it is in fact neutral grain spirit. This product contains 95%95.6% ABV (190191.2 proof) and is much used for making homemade liqueurs. In Germany, neutral alcohol is called Neutralalkohol or (colloquially) Primasprit. Primasprit is sold in stores and is most often used for making homemade liqueurs; other types of use are rare.

Rectified spirit

ectified spirit or ectified alcohol is neutral alcohol which has been purified by means of ectification (i.e., repeated distillation). It will contain at least 95% ABV. It is normally used for medicinal purposes but can also be used to make homemade liqueurs. It can be a grain spirit or can be made from other plants.

Cultural references

In the 1964 film Dr. Strangelove (directed by Stanley Kubrick), base commander General Jack D. Ripper states that he only drinks pure grain alcohol with distilled water or rainwater.

See also

Alcoholic beverage

Alcoholic proof

Distilled beverage

Ethanol

Everclear

Gem Clear

Golden Grain Alcohol

References

^ Results of sales of vinous alcohol held by public agencies

^ Lichine, Alexis. Alexis Lichine New Encyclopedia of Wines & Spirits (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1987), 365.

^ 340A.506, Minnesota Statutes 2007

^ Va. Code. Ann. 4.1-119

External links

Information about Pharmco-AAPER alcohol products

Categories: Distilled beverages | Neutral grain spirits