In article >, (Steve Firth) wrote:
>Dan Abel > wrote:
>
>> Grain alcohol comes out of the still at 190 proof.
>
>Is calculating a percentage beyond the capabilities of cross-pondians?

Actually, it seems they have to be able to calculate the percentage of
EtOH so they can quote the "n proof" because the latter is defined by
the Yanks as twice the EtOH content by volume! [1]

>It's as amusing as that hanging onto Imperial weights and measures
>rubbish.

Your comment inspired me to look into this "proof" business a bit...
As a kid I couldn't understand how you could have >100 degrees proof
because I mistakenly assumed degrees proof ~ per cent. Later I learnt
how "degrees proof" came about. But it seems the concept as now
defined is no longer as simple as the traditional gunpowder test. :-)

[1] Quick Ref: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholic_proof>

Cheers, Phred.

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