Ethanol or Ethyl Alcohol is the main ingredient in alcoholic beverages. This is the ingredient that produces the intoxicating effect when consumed. What we refer to as alcohol mainly refers to this chemical substance. However, there are many types of alcoholic beverages that are consumed by humans. The raw materials, the level of Ethanol content, and the process of making the product all differ from one type to the other. In a broad sense, alcoholic beverages can be divided into three types: beer, wine, and spirits. Most alcoholic beverages available today legally are beer, wine, whiskey, vodka, gin, tequila, rum, brandy and liqueurs.
Beer
Beer is made by the process of fermentation. Malted cereal, such as wheat, barley, corn or rye is mixed with yeast to form a liquid called wort. Wort is then fermented to produce alcohol and carbon dioxide. The fermentation is stopped at one stage to limit the alcohol content. The liquid got out of this process is called beer. Generally, most beers have an alcohol content of 3-8 %. However, some brands of beer are known to have higher alcohol content.
Homemade Alcohol
In addition to all of the above commonly known alcoholic beverages, many regions of the world have their own alcoholic beverages produced locally from locally available raw materials. Most of these are illegal and are much more dangerous than the legally available ones for want of any regulatory control process by a government body. An example of this would be Moonshine, illegal hooch produced by distilling fermented alcohol with yeast and produced in unlicensed stills.
Household Products
If an alcohol addict is not able to get any of the above commonly available alcohol types, he or she might try out toxic alcohol types like Isopropyl Alcohol, more commonly known as Rubbing Alcohol. This is generally used as a topical application to soothe sores, but alcohol addicts ingest this chemical to get the intoxicating effect. There have been many cases of people, especially teenagers, who become rubbing alcohol addicts over a period of time. Rubbing alcohol is more potent and dangerous than normal alcohol (ethanol) and an overdose can coma and even death. Similarly, mouthwashes, perfumes and colognes that we use in our everyday lives also contain alcohol, and this is often used by alcohol addicts as a substitute to the conventional forms of alcohol to get intoxicated.
Liquors & Spirits
Rum
Fermented molasses or sugarcane is distilled to make rum. This distilled liquid is then aged up to at least 3 years. Caramel is sometimes added to the liquid to induce color. Most rums have an alcohol content of 40-55%
Brandy
Fruit juices are fermented to produce brandy. Brandy is usually stored and aged in oak casks. The color of the cask or the caramel that is added determines the color of brandy. Brandy usually has an alcohol content of 40-50%
Liqueurs
Liqueurs are generally made by adding herbs, flavorings, or fruits and sugar to brandy. They are usually consumed after meals in small quantities to aid digestion. Most liqueurs have an alcoholic percentage of 25-65%.
Gin
Gin is got by the process of distillation. Water, alcohol and various flavors are mixed in the making of gin. Gin is not stored in oak casks because aging does not affect the quality of this beverage. Generally, the alcohol content in most gins is 40-50%
Vodka
Potatoes, rye, wheat, or sugarcane molasses are fermented and distilled and mixed with various other flavorings to produce vodka. Most vodkas have an alcohol percentage of 35-50%.
Tequila
The juice of the agave plant is fermented and stored in wooden casks to produce tequila. Though this drink is available everywhere in the world now, the drink got its name because it was first produced near the city of Tequila in Mexico in the 16th century. Most tequilas have an alcohol percentage of 40-55%
Whiskey
Corn, rye or barley is fermented and distilled to produce whisky. This is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the world today. The famous Scotch whisky is produced in the Scottish Highlands, and has gained popularity through the whisky drinking world due to its refined taste. Most whiskeys have an alcohol percentage of 40-55%.
Wine
Wine is generally made from grapes, but there are also wines that are made from apricots, peaches or plums. The quality and taste of the fruits determine the taste and quality of the wines produced out of them. The weather and soil play an important part in determining the quality of the wine as they affect the quality of the fruit used for producing the wine. Wine is produced by crushing and fermenting ripe grapes in large vats. Generally, the alcohol percentage of most wines is between 8-22%. Champagne is a type of carbonated wine produced in the Champagne region of France.