When ethanol is oxidised by microbes, it forms a compound called ethanoic acid (CH 3 COOH), which is a form of carboxylic acid. This is the acid found in vinegar. Other alcohols can also be ...

If oxygen gets in, the ethanol will oxidise into ethanoic acid and the drink will taste like vinegar. Methanol is used as a chemical feedstock. It’s toxic, so it is added to industrial ethanol ...