Alcohol is a universal disinfectant, fuel, and barter good. In an emergency, you can make it yourself.
⚠️ Legal Notice
Distillation of alcohol is punishable in Germany without a permit (tax evasion). Fermentation is allowed.
🍺 Brewing Beer
- Ingredients: Malt, hops, yeast, water
- Time: 2-4 weeks
- Yield: 20 liters from 5kg malt
- Strength: 4-6% Vol.
- Legal: Allowed for personal use
🍷 Making Wine
- Ingredients: Grapes, berries, fruits, sugar, yeast
- Time: 4-8 weeks
- Yield: 1kg fruit = 0.7 liters must
- Strength: 8-14% Vol.
- Legal: Allowed, no registration required
🥃 Distilling Spirits
- Process: Ferment → Distill → After-ferment
- Yield: 10 liters must = 1-2 liters spirits
- Strength: 40-60% Vol.
- Legal: Illegal without permit!
🧪 Alcohol as Disinfectant
- At least 60% ethanol for disinfection
- Pure alcohol: 96% (denatured = undrinkable)
- Hand disinfection, wound cleaning, surfaces
- Attention: Does not eliminate spores!
📊 Comparison
| Beverage | Time | Strength | Legal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beer | 2-4 weeks | 4-6% | ✅ Allowed |
| Wine | 4-8 weeks | 8-14% | ✅ Allowed |
| Spirits | 6-12 weeks | 40-60% | ❌ Illegal (without license) |