High-quality barley alcohol

Name: Barley alcohol
Rating: 5 (30 reviews)

At Nedstar, we specialise in providing high-quality ethanol solutions to meet your diverse product needs. Among our product collection of grain neutral spirits is barley alcohol, also known as neutral barley spirit. Want to know if barley alcohol is the right ethanol fit for you? Find all the information about it on this page.

What is barley alcohol?

Barley alcohol belongs to the family of neutral grain spirits (NGS). It is derived from barley, a robust grain that has been popular in human consumption and alcohol production for centuries. Its clean, crisp taste makes it ideal for a variety of applications in the food and non-food sectors.

Alcohol by vol. at 20°C

> 96%
Odour

Neutral
Colour

Colourless
CAS registry number

64-17-5

GHS labelling
Chemical formula

C₂H₆O
Methanol

< 2 g/hL
pH level

5.5 - 7.5

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Does barley alcohol fit your product needs?

Contact our commercial experts to receive a tailored offer.

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Organic alcohol

> 96% ABV / 192 proof
Whiskey

40 - 80% ABV / 80 - 160 proof
Gin

35 - 55% ABV / 70 - 110 proof

Step 1

The production of barley alcohol begins with the careful selection of high-quality barley grains.

Step 2

These grains are first malted—soaked in water, allowed to germinate, and then dried—to convert their starches into fermentable sugars.

Step 3

The malted barley is then mashed and fermented, using yeast to convert the sugars into alcohol.

Step 4

This alcohol is distilled multiple times to achieve a high level of purity, resulting in a premium-quality spirit that is free from impurities and unwanted flavours.

Barley compared to other raw materials

Barley is a hardy crop that can thrive in colder climates where other grains might struggle. This resilience makes barley a reliable source of raw material for alcohol production, even in regions with harsh winters. Additionally, barley grains are easy to store and transport. This logistical advantage allows for efficient handling and distribution, ensuring a steady supply for alcohol production facilities around the world.

Finally, beyond its use in alcohol production, barley is also an excellent food source for livestock. This dual-purpose nature makes it a versatile and valuable crop, contributing to both the ethanol and agricultural industries.

Applications of neutral barley spirit

Barley alcohol is a neutral grain spirit (NGS) that is particularly valued in the production of premium beverages like whiskey, gin, and beer. Especially in the special beer sector, not only is barley used as raw material, but barrels previously used for whiskey are popular to age stouts and barley wines. With a subtle, yet distinct, flavor profile, neutral barley spirit serves as a cornerstone for many in the beverage industry who are seeking to create refined, high-quality products.

Neutral spirit made from barley is also an excellent addition in non-food sectors: next to finding application in hand sanitisers and pharmaceuticals, it is also a popular product for cleaning products and industrial solvents.

Denaturants

If you do not use barley neutral spirit for food and beverage grade products, we can denature it for you. In that case, the product will be exempt from excise duty. You can choose from a variety of denaturing agents that fit your regional regulations such as DEP, MEK, Bitrex, IPA or Euro Denatured.

More about denaturants

Certifications

Nedstar's barley alcohol complies with all relevant global quality standards, including ISO22000, ISO9001, and REACH. Additionally, we offer organic and non-GMO alcohol from barley origin in Europe, the US, and Asia.

See all certifications

More about ISO 22000

More about ISO 9001

More about USDA-Organic/USDA-NOP

More about EU organic

More about SKAL

More about GMO-free

Packaging

Exporting ethanol to countries worldwide requires the appropriate packaging. To make sure that your product arrives safely to its destination, Nedstar has a number of packaging options, suitable for any industry or amount of ethanol.

See all packaging options

ISO tank

25,000 litres / 6,605 gallons

Suitable for various transport modes such as ship or truck and ideal for the delivery of bulk quantities, guaranteeing safety and efficiency for your shipment.

Tank truck

35,000 litres / 9,246 gallons

Large amounts of sugarcane alcohol, delivered directly to your doorstep. Our tank trucks are a reliable and cost-effective way of receiving ethanol worldwide.

Barge vessel

Up to 2,450 tonnes / 1,832,727.3 gallons

Nedstar can provide you with orders shipped by various vessels overseas. Our logistics department specialises in intermodal freight transport, guaranteeing a smooth delivery over multiple modes of transportation.

ISO tank

25,000 litres / 6,605 gallons

Suitable for various transport modes such as ship or truck and ideal for the delivery of bulk quantities, guaranteeing safety and efficiency for your shipment.

Tank truck

35,000 litres / 9,246 gallons

Large amounts of sugarcane alcohol, delivered directly to your doorstep. Our tank trucks are a reliable and cost-effective way of receiving ethanol worldwide.

Barge vessel

Up to 2,450 tonnes / 1,832,727.3 gallons

Can neutral barley spirit be used for purposes other than beverage production?

Due to its high purity, neutral odour and colour, barley neutral spirit can be used in many applications, not only in beverages! Examples include industrial solvents for paint, cosmetic products such as tonics, and more.

Why should I choose barley alcohol instead of another raw material?

If barley alcohol is the right choice for you depends completely on your product needs, sector of use, budget, and region of delivery. For specific spirits and cosmetics, it is advised to use barley alcohol. For more neutral products such as pharmaceuticals and solvents, other raw materials might be a cost-effective alternative. Get in touch with our commercial experts to create an ethanol product tailored to your needs.

What is the difference between barley alcohol used for beer and ethanol?

Barley alcohol in beer is usually not distilled and has therefore a lower alcohol percentage, while barley neutral spirit undergoes several distillation rounds to reach an alcohol percentage of more than 96 ABV or 194 proof. For bulk spirits, distilled ethanol is usually used to give liquors such as whiskey and gin their recognisable flavour.