ABOUT ALCOHOLISM

Alcohol is a drug, chemically known as Ethanol (C

2
H
6
O) which comes from fermentation of
grains and fruits. As a resultant of reaction between sugar of grain, fruits, water and yeast ,
alcohol produced. Grains contains wheat, barley, corn, rye, millet, malt and oats and used
fruits are grapes and sugar cane where yeast is a fungus used as chemical compound to
ferment sugar to create alcohol and carbon dioxide. Yeast is used in many bakery items as well.
Alcohol was produced for medical purposes in Rome in early 13 century. It directly absorbed in
blood stream through walls of stomach and acts to slowdown nerves system and brain
functions. Now a days it is the serve the purpose of get together and parties.
Manufacturing process contains 04 major steps:
i). Mashing: Under hot water mixed gains and fruits are mashed to make a pourage.
ii). Fermentation: Yeast (compound of bacteria) is added to create reaction with sugar of
mashed grains to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide as a byproduct.
iii). Distillation: Through this process proportion of water has been separated to store a strong
concentration of spirit through vapours.
iv).Maturation: Storage in oak wood drums, casks and vessels gives golden, brown and amber
colours; depending upon ages and region. Aging normally ranges from 2 hours to 20 years.
Caramel colours are also used in cheap spirits.
Many names of spirits are derived from geographical names and items made from. However
scotch whiskies are top in sale and American, Irish, Spain, Mexico, New Zealand, Brazil and
Indian brands are touching major consumers where Canadian whiskies are known as smooth
whiskies. Having more than one grain is called blended and otherwise single.
Spirits can be divided in two major categories;
1. DISTILLED SPIRITS: These are known as Hard alcoholic beverages and includes whiskey,
brandy, tequila, rum, vodka and jin.
Brandy: This is distilled wine made of grapes having 35% to 60% alcohol and considered as
after dinner drink. Aging is 2 to 6 years.
Whiskey: It is fermented, distilled and aged from yeast, barley, wheat, corn, rye, millet and
oats. Alcohol is 40-45% and minimal aging is 3 years.
Rum: It is produced from sugarcane juice, molasses and yeast and considered as hard whiskey
with about 40% alcohol. Americans and West Indies using rum since 17 century; rum means
sugar in Latin.
Bourbon: Fine American whiskey made of corn of area Canadia with 40% alcohol and 2 to 4
years age.
Tequila: World's most fine drink is made of blue agave plant of Mexico region. A hard alcohol'
famous as tequila shots, are taken in one gulp with lime wedge. 40% to 60% alcohol.
Vodka: Originally a Russian brand is produced from potato, wheat and yeast and highly famous
in USA as well. It is not aged, so is colourless and alcohol content is 40%. In Russian vodka
means water.
Jin: It is a natural and hard spirit, made from juniper berries, angelica roots and botanicals. Jin
comes from French word Geni which means juniper.
Liqueurs: This is a light whiskey of 15-30% alcohol, taken before dinner with added flavours of
herbs, chocolate and spices.
2. NON DISTILLED: These drinks are known as soft and include beer, wine, champagne, sherry
and cordials
Beer: It is produced from malted barley, malted wheat, yeast, variety of chemical including
glycerin and hops (flower of plant having oil and bitter flavour which used for bitterness and
preservative). It causes weight increase hence " beer belly is famous". Alcohol is 3% - 11%.
Lager and ale are world famous bears.
Wine: It is made from fermentation of grape juice and yeast with aging of 6 to 12 months; main
are red wine and white wines with several brand names. Alcohol is 10% to 15%.
Champagne: It is carbonated sparkling wine and made in champagne region of France. Famous
as luxury icon for royal families.
Sherry: It is a fortified wine made of white grapes and usually used as after dinner drink. Also
used in cooking.
Cordials: These are sweet low alcoholic beverages blended with fruits, coffee, chocolate, cream
and nuts.
Moderate drinking offers heart health benefits and long life, reduces strokes and major causes
of death. 02 servings per day increases good cholesterol. Red wine offers extra antioxidants
which reduces signs of aging and combat cancers. UN National Institute on alcoholism calls 4
drinks per day as moderated consumption. Moreover, extra consumption increases high blood
pressure, high triglycerides, weight gain, increase in uric acid, weaken bones, migraine problem
and sleep disturbance. Wines have less calories where vodka, jin and rum have high calories,
roughly one pack is considered as 100 calories. Generally, wine is better than beer and beer is
better than mixed drinks.
In Pakistan alcohol was readily available up to 1977 but Gen. Zia and Z. A Bhutto introduced
prohibition for Muslims and only allowed to 3% population of non-Muslims on permit to a limits
of 01 carton of beer and 5 bottles of liqueur per month, which caused dramatic rise in case of
heroine and tranquilizer addiction and shady breweries supplying toxic liqueurs resulting deaths
of youth in dozens. Murree Brewery established in 1860 is still producing world class single malt
whiskey and lager beer which is exported in Australia, Germany and India. Pakistan is exporting
2.5 Metric ton of ethanol from sugar mills annually.
By: Raja Jee (01-Jan-2014)