Question

The following are some alcoholic beverages produced by fermentation.

i. wine
ii. beer
iii. whisky
iv. brandy
v. rum

Choose the correct statement regarding them.

• A. Rum is obtained without distillation of fermented broth
• B. Wine contains relatively more alcohol content than whisky
• C. Two of the given beverages are obtained by distillation of the fermented broth
• D. Brandy is obtained by distillation of fermented broth

Answer 1

The correct option is D Brandy is obtained by distillation of fermented broth

In the process of producing alcoholic beverages, different substrates can be used like grape juice, sugar cane, cereals, etc. A microbe such as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae transforms or ferments the sugars in present in them into alcohol and carbon dioxide anaerobically. This process is called alcoholic or ethanol fermentation.

In order to increase alcohol concentration, the liquid containing ethyl alcohol is heated to a high temperature and the vapours coming off the liquid are condensed. The condensate will have a higher alcohol concentration. This process is called distillation.
Wine has an alcohol content of about 20% whereas whisky has an alcohol content of about 40%.

Depending on the type of the raw material used for fermentation of alcoholic beverages and the type of processing (with or without distillation), various types of alcoholic drinks are obtained. Wine and beer are produced without distillation whereas whisky, brandy and rum are produced by distillation of the fermented broth.