New Delhi: In an interesting development, the LDF government in Kerala Monday sought to know what beverages fall under the definition of alcohol.
Earlier, TV reports claimed that Kerala had said in the top court that beer, wine, and toddy cannot be considered alcoholic beverages. In no time, excise minister T.P. Ramakrishnan rejected these reports.
“The government did not say that beer was not an alcoholic product. We only sought more clarification on the definition of alcohol, asking whether beer, toddy and wine come under the definition of alcohol. We raised this query as the SC order lacks clarity,” the minister said. He also said that the Kerala government will not go for an appeal against SC order.
However, the state's petition in the apex court contradicts the minister's claim. The petition (page no 13 and 14) states that beer, toddy and wine cannot be termed alcohol products and that they should be omitted from the bracket of liquor, Manorama Newsreported.
In its petition, Kerala also sought to know whether the apex court's recent ruling banning liquor outlets along national highways is applicable to bars. The state has also requested the SC to give it one more year to move liquor outlets along the highways.
Beer and alcohol content
Alcohol by volume (ABV) in beer ranges from less than 3 percent to around 14 percent, though this strength can be increased to around 20 percent by re-pitching with champagne yeast, and to 55 percent ABV by the freeze-distilling process.
Natural wines usually have 9 percent to above 16 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), with most wines being in the 12.5 percent - 14.5 percent range. Fortified wines (usually with brandy) may contain 20 percent alcohol or more.
Toddy usually contains 4 percent alcohol.
