Grain alcohol is a form of pure alcohol which has been produced by fermenting and distilling grain. It is also known as ethyl alcohol or ethanol. In addition to being used in the production of alcoholic beverages, grain alcohol is also used as a solvent and in a variety of other industrial applications. Because grain alcohol is extremely potent, it should not be consumed straight, and people should never consume other alcohols such as methyl alcohol, because these substances are very toxic.
People have been using grains like corn and rye to make alcohol for centuries. When grains are fermented, yeasts consume their natural sugars and convert them into alcohol. Depending on how a grain is fermented, the ethyl alcohol can be fairly low, as is the case with many beers, or quite high. When fermented grains are allowed to reach a high ethanol content and then distilled, the result is a colorless and very potent liquid which is sometimes called neutral grain spirits, in a reference to the clear color. One popular brand of neutral grain spirits is Everclear, a drink which is infamous for its formidable kick.
Some mixed drinks integrate a small amount of grain alcohol for an alcoholic note, while some flavored alcoholic products are made with a base of grain alcohol. It can be difficult to obtain pure neutral grain spirits, due to the high alcohol content, which can make them very dangerous in inexperienced hands. In some regions, commercial sale of grain alcohol is actually banned due to health concerns. More commonly, grains are not allowed to fully ferment, as is the case with colored spirits like whiskey, or alcohol products are diluted to lower the alcohol content, as with vodka.
Technically, ethyl alcohol is toxic, as most people who have consumed it are aware. In moderate amounts, ethyl alcohol can have interesting effects on brain and motor function; many people enjoy these effects and they deliberately cultivate them through the ingestion of ethanol. However, this toxicity also means that grain alcohol can be very dangerous, since it can be very deceptive. It is easy to cause permanent brain or liver damage with grain alcohol, and it is also a skin irritant which can cause discomfort when swallowed.
There are a number of industrial uses for grain alcohol and ethanol created through other refining processes. Ethanol can be used as an antiseptic, a fuel, and as a solvent. Industrial ethanol may not always be safe to drink, since it often contains additives. Other industrial alcohols like isopropyl alcohol have a different chemical structure which makes them unsafe for human consumption.
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.