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Some one here surely knows this one. What is the history of using "Proof" instead of "abv"? When did it start and how did it come about? Also, is this world wide or is it just a US thing?

In earlier times, in order to check that there was a certain percentage of alochol in a drink, a person would mix the drink with gunpowder and try to light it. If it burned, it was at least 50% alcohol and was said to be prooved. So 100 proof becomes 50% alcohol.

It's a "worldwide thing" (to an extent) however there exsists different proof systems , such as the European proof system at which 100° is 57.1% apv. This is a helpful website.


http://www.sizes.com/units/proof_alcoholic.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow


-RareBreed