What do they make alcohol from?

Alcohol is made through a process called fermentation, in which yeast converts sugar into ethanol and carbon dioxide. This process can be applied to a wide variety of organic materials, including grapes (to make wine), grains (to make beer), and fruits (to make cider).

The fermentation process happens in several steps:

1. Preparation: The raw material, such as grapes, is crushed and mashed to release the juice.

2. Pitching: Yeast is added to the juice, which starts to break down the sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide.

3. Fermentation: The yeast continues to convert sugar into alcohol until all the sugar is consumed or the alcohol concentration becomes too high for the yeast to survive.

4. Aging: After fermentation, some alcoholic beverages are aged in barrels to develop their flavour and complexity.

5. Bottling and Packaging: The finished product is bottled and packaged for sale.

The type of alcohol produced depends on the raw material used. Some common types of alcohol include:

* Beer: Made from malted barley, water, yeast, and hops.

* Wine: Made from fermented grape juice.

* Cider: Made from fermented apple juice.

* Spirits: Made by distilling fermented liquid to a high alcohol content.

Alcohol production has a long history dating back thousands of years and is an essential part of many cultures around the world.