What does proof mean on alcohol?

Answer 1

Alcohol is sold with a number called "alcohol by volume" or ABV. In America, most beer is 3.4%ABV. To figure out the proof, simply double the ABV number. Vodka is generally 40%ABV, so in the United States it would be 80 proof. Other countries may have other standards that alter the proof number.

Answer 2

Proof is a measure of alcohol content, in the United States it is twice the percentage. Therefor whiskey that is, "a hundred proof" is 50% alcohol by volume.

The term originates from a time when rum was used to pay wages. The rum would be poured over gunpowder and ignited to offer proof that it hadn't been watered down. The gunpowder wouldn't burn if the rum was less than 57.15 % Alcohol. If it did burn then it was considered "100 degree proof".

The ratio 57.15 to 100 was the reason that until recently in the UK proof was 7/4 times the percentage of alcohol.

Answer 3

It's a measure of the percent of alcohol by volume, with proof divided by 2 equal to the percent. It's based on a test they used to do with whiskey whereby when whiskey was 50% alcohol it would (when mixed with some other stuff) burn a certain way (i.e., it would be capable of igniting but without burning too quickly). Since 50% was the desired result of the distillation process, it was considered 100 proof, and that 1/2 ratio is used then for all liqour, whether it is 30 proof (15% alcohol) or, like Bacardi 151, 75.5% alcohol.

Answer 4

Basically, "Proof" is double the alcohol ABV percentage number. For example; Bacardi 151 Proof is 75.5% ABV alcohol.

Answer 5

the early monks, when traveling, called at taverns after ordering there wine mixed it with gun power if it flared up it was "proof" it was a good strong wine

Ralph

Answer 6

This is complicated and the term goes back into history when alcohol was used to make gunpowder safe.

The link below explains about "proof spirit".