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amikkola · Post by **amikkola** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 1:17 pm

"A solution of 70-85% of ethanol is commonly used as a disinfectant. It kills organisms by denaturing their proteins and dissolving their lipids and is effective against most bacteria and fungi, and many viruses, but is ineffective against bacterial spores. Because of this disinfectant property, alcoholic beverages can be stored for a long time."

is it safe to drink extrodinarily strong alcohol apart from alcohol poisoning? would it be bad to drink 90% alcohol striat from your still?

Virginia Gentleman · Post by **Virginia Gentleman** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 2:01 pm

That said, you can still buy Everclear (grain alcohol) which is 190 proof (95%). But it's dangerous stuff (just ask any college student from a few decades ago), and plenty have died from over indulgence. I know they don't sell it in state stores here anymore, but it's still sold over the internet.

KatoFong · Post by **KatoFong** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 2:03 pm

For WAYYYYY too much money.

Virginia Gentleman · Post by **Virginia Gentleman** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 2:06 pm

I think it can be had for about $20 a fifth in the US. Which is less than I thought it would be. Can't remember what we paid for it in college (wonder why!).

KatoFong · Post by **KatoFong** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 2:07 pm

Which I guess isn't WAYYYYY too much money. But then there's shipping and all that.

And a few states have outlawed it completely.

The Chemist · Post by **The Chemist** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 2:32 pm

Here in the "State of Decadence" Everclear is plentiful at $12.99 a fifth.

WAHOO!!

But, seriously, the above advice is correct--ethanol will efficiently dehydrate YOU as easily as a hapless bacterium.

Yttrium · Post by **Yttrium** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 2:33 pm

As soon as the alcohol gets to your stomach, it mixes with whatever you've eaten recently, so the effects of drinking a shot of 190 proof stuff are the same as drinking two shots of 95 proof stuff. Of course, on the way down you'll certainly get a burning feeling in your throat and mouth.

KatoFong · Post by **KatoFong** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 2:34 pm

Ooooh...where is this state of decadence, and how can I become a resident?

Post by **Uncle Jesse** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 4:09 pm

I've done it. I don't enjoy it. It's a frat-boy stunt IMHO.

pangea · Post by **pangea** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 7:04 pm

It's the only reasonthat I drink. Because it kills all that bacteria and fungi.

Professor Duck · Post by **Professor Duck** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 7:42 pm

No way I'd drink it straight, but I have a funny story about a guy who did. A guy I know bought a bottle of 96% from a friend of mine, and at a school swimming carnival he chugged about half a bottle of it in one go. Needless to say, he was fucked. He spent most of the day sleeping, and probably spewing. Also his mum is the school's deputy principal so she found out pretty quickly.

AkCoyote · Post by **AkCoyote** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 9:30 pm

I drink (taste) about 1/8 a shot from every batch but other than that, there is no way in hades that I would sit around drinking the stuff anymore than I would eat handfuls of flour just because I like bread.

AkCoyote

v0rtexx · Post by **v0rtexx** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 9:48 pm

The strongest I would drink is about 60%, 120 proof. Just grab a glass a water or two before bed!

The Chemist · Post by **The Chemist** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:16 am

Chugging half a bottle of 96% alcohol is DEADLY (not every time, not with everybody, but once is all it takes). Don't try this at home (or anywhere else).

Virginia Gentleman · Post by **Virginia Gentleman** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:35 am

No doubt, grain is nasty stuff, and dangerous. Just witness the number of news articles about people getting stomach pumps from grain parties.

On another note, anyone ever had "cask strength" bourbon? There are a few of them out there. I've never had one.

amikkola · Post by **amikkola** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 4:33 pm

i dont intend on drinking it... i just came across this article while brushing up on my general technical knowlage, which lead me from pulse jet engins, to V-2 rockets, to the ethanol page (they were fueled by ethanol and liquid O2)...

so, thanks for the input... its good to know that you whouldn't start deteriorating if you touch 95% ethanol! haha...

The Chemist · Post by **The Chemist** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 11:26 pm

Virginia Gentleman wrote: anyone ever had "cask strength" bourbon?

Uncle Jesse's already claimed to be a "whisky snob" (I've seen the pictures--it's true.) Booker's is single barrel (cask strength?). but I've never found it to be 'good'.

Virginia Gentleman · Post by **Virginia Gentleman** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:28 am

Yeah, probably more interesting than good. Interesting to taste what it comes out of the barrel like, uncut. I think there are 1 or 2 other bourbons sold cask strength, but can't remember what they are. Geo. T. Stagg maybe? I think Old Grand Dad makes one. Just looked and Booker's is 126 proof.

The Chemist · Post by **The Chemist** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:25 am

You have to check each bottle of Booker's--the proof is what comes out of the barrel.
Seven or eight years ago, I was at the DISCUS convention in Louisville. Got to tour the Jim Beam distillery in Clermont (cool, because it was a tour for professionals, not the standard tourist trap), and meet Booker Noe. Right jolly old fat man, he was! God rest his soul.

Virginia Gentleman · Post by **Virginia Gentleman** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:31 am

Sounds like he was a helluva guy. Here's a nice little farwell to him I read a while back (second story on the page):

http://www.sudswineandspirits.com/whiskey.html

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