Expert: Paul Wagner - 4/12/2004

Question
Dear Sir,
Thanks for the content explanation of hot drinks. On the basis of the contents can you please explain each drink how affects sugar level, cholosterol etc. in human body?

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Followup To
Question -
What is the difference between Brandy, whysky, rum and beer in contents? In what climate each one is preferred?
Answer -
Dear Venu:

Each of these drinks has a different primary ingredient.  Brandy is distilled from grape wine.  Whisky is distilled from grain--wheat, barley, or in the US, corn.  Rum is distilled from fermented sugar cane.  And beer is made from malted barley.  In some ways, beer can be considered a kind of precursor to some kinds of whiskeys, which would be distilled from the beer. Vodka, by the way, is traditionally distilled from fermented potatoes.

As for climates and preferences, I think tradition has more of an role to play than climate.  While many distilled beverages are traditionally consumed in colder climates (Scotland, England favor whiskey;  France. brandy; Russia and Poland, Vodka; etc.) rum is a classic drink of the Caribbean.  Run may be the best of the distilled products to blend with tropical fruits, so that may have more to do with flavor than climate.  And beer is consumed all over the world, from the dark winters of SCotland and Germany to the sunny beaches of Mexico.

Paul Wagner  

Answer
Dear Venu:

I am not a physician, so please check with your doctor about health issues.  On a chemical basis, there is very little difference between the various distilled liquors.  This is primarily because they are all produced with roughly the same technology.  The initial fermented liquid is distilled--and that distillate is about 96 percent alcohol.  The product is then aged, and water is added before bottling to reduce the alcohol level to 40-50%.  The only exception is beer, which is not dstilled at all, and so has an alcohol level of 3-6%.

Paul Wagner