Sawdust brandy (from the GermanHolzbranntwein) is aneutral spirit produced through thedistillation ofwood products.
To produce sawdust brandy, the wood is cooked with a dilutedsulfuric acid, which causes thecellulose to be broken down viaacid hydrolysis intodextrose and other simple sugars, while thelignin remains. The acidic, sugar-containing liquid is neutralised and allowed to ferment, producing theethanol that will later be purified through distillation.[1]
In theGerman Democratic Republic, thelye produced from thewood pulp was employed in the production of theHolzschnaps ("wood schnapps"). Brandy for human consumption (spirits diluted to drinking strength) produced in this method has no additional risks compared tobrandy produced fromgrain; it actually contains fewerfusel oils than traditional distilling methods involving spirits from grain orfruit.[citation needed] In spite of this, German law governing spirit production (overseen by the "Bundesmonopolverwaltung für Branntwein [de]) forbids the use of sawdust brandy in the production ofalcoholic beverages. This ban stems from the purpose of the law as anagricultural subsidy, rather than out of public health concerns.
Prior to modern, synthetic production methods, wood was also once commonlydestructively distilled ordry distilled for the production ofmethanol (wood alcohol).
| Lumber/ timber | |
|---|---|
| Engineered wood | |
| Fuelwood | |
| Fibers | |
| Derivatives | |
| By-products | |
| Historical | |
| See also | |
