Alcohol by Volume (%v/v)

The determination of ABV at low concentrations in such beverages as kombucha or non-alcoholic beers can be tricky. The matrix can cause interferences plus sensitivity, accuracy and precision are all key when determining whether your product is under the USA legal limit of 0.5% ABV for non-alcoholic beverages. To correct for these issues and other possible interferences we utilize Headspace Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (HS-GCMS). This technique allows us to separate and analyze only the most volatile compounds of interest such as ethanol. It is also the method recommended by the Kombucha Brewers International (KBI).

If you are needing accurate ABV results for your beer or wine, this method works for extremely well for alcoholic beveragesas described in the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) Scientific Services Division test method 218.