ABV Testing Using Gas Chromatography.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why use gas chromatography for ABV measurement?

  Hydrometer and density-based methods are widely used for alcohol measurement, but they can become less reliable at low alcohol levels or in complex matrices.

  Gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection measures ethanol directly and selectively. This reduces interference from sugars and other components, providing clearer quantification, particularly in low and alcohol free products.

• How accurate is GC for low alcohol products?

  At low alcohol concentrations, small measurement errors can have a proportionally larger impact.

  GC-FID allows ethanol to be separated and quantified with high repeatability, making it well suited to verifying alcohol levels in products below 0.5% ABV.

  Method performance will depend on calibration and sample preparation, but GC is widely used where greater precision is required.

   

• Is gas chromatography suitable for routine production testing?

  Yes. While GC is often associated with research laboratories, it is also used in routine production environments.

  When configured for defined methods such as ABV verification, the system can be operated as part of standard quality control procedures.

  Compact platforms such as the 200 Series GC are designed with routine use in mind.

• Can one system measure both standard and alcohol free products?

  A single GC system can be used to measure a wide range of alcohol concentrations, provided the method is calibrated appropriately.

  This allows producers to apply consistent analytical principles across both conventional and low alcohol beverages.

   

• Does ABV testing require specialist analytical expertise?

  Basic GC operation can be taught and standardised within a quality control team.

  While method development may require analytical input, routine ABV testing using established methods can be incorporated into structured workflows.

  Support and guidance are typically provided during installation and setup.

• Where can I find more information about the 200 Series GC?

  You can download the Buyers Guide or contact our applications team for more detailed information about system configurations, setup, and the types of alcohol analysis it supports.