Grain alcohol isn’t just grain alcohol; there are various types of grains globally, many of them used in ethanol production. Each grain type inhibits different qualities that are more or less favourable for certain products and applications, meaning that the choice of grain type that is distilled into ethanol is of utmost importance. Read on to find out more about the different grain alcohol types, their characteristics and how they are used in various sectors.
In addition to these types of grain ethanol, there are also various blends and mixtures. For example, some ethanol producers may blend corn and wheat ethanol to create a higher-quality and more consistent product. Others may blend different types of grain ethanol to create a product that is tailored to specific applications.
As previously stated, grain alcohol isn’t just grain alcohol. Depending on the final product and the qualities it needs to exhibit, manufacturers have to decide on the proper grain type(s) to either create the desired flavour profile for beverages or comply with industry quality and standards. The choice of grain may also be strongly influenced by geography or cultural ties, as is the case with wheat and corn in Europe and the United States, respectively.