Abstract: A method for concentrating alcoholic beverages which comprises subjecting the beverage to reverse osmosis to form a beverage concentrate, said reverse osmosis using a membrane which allows passage of water therethrough and is at least partially permeable to alcohol and volatile flavor components of the beverage but is impermeable to dissolved solids, subjecting the permeate from said reverse osmosis to distillation to separate therefrom alcohol and volatile flavor components of the beverage which have passed through the membrane, and combining the separate alcohol and volatile components with beverage concentrate from reverse osmosis. Apparatus for effecting this method is also described.

Abstract: A method for continuous fermentation in which carbohydrate solution is fed continuously into a fermentation zone containing substantially homogeneously distributed yeast and carbohydrate solution whereby the carbohydrate is fermented to ethanol, a proportion of the fermenting liquid continuously passing to a pressurised settling tank, yeast depleted liquid being withdrawn from the upper part of the settling tank and yeast enriched liquid being withdrawn from the lower part of said tank and returned to the fermentation zone, a proportion of yeast being withdrawn without being returned to the fermentation zone, said proportion being such that the concentration of yeast in the fermentation zone is substantially constant, and the pressure within the settling tank is sufficient to prevent the formation of gaseous carbon dioxide. The method enables rapid continuous fermentation to take place using high concentrations of yeast. Apparatus for operating the method is described.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for maturing sherry wine in which the multiplicity of casks conventionally used in the respective maturation stages are replaced by respective single containers, preferably sub-divisions of a single large vessel.