What is the proofing system?

What is the proofing system?

• A. One half the ABV.
• B. Twice the percentage of alcohol by volume. 86 proof would be 43% alcohol by volume.
• C. Three times ABV.
• D. The sum of ABV and ABW.

Answer: (B)

In the US, the proofing system defines proof as twice the alcohol by volume (ABV). This makes strength easy to compare: 100 proof equals 50% ABV, and 86 proof equals 43% ABV. So the statement that matches is that proof is twice the ABV. The other ideas—half the ABV, three times ABV, or using ABW or a sum of ABV and ABW—don’t describe how proof is determined.

In the US, the proofing system defines proof as twice the alcohol by volume (ABV). This makes strength easy to compare: 100 proof equals 50% ABV, and 86 proof equals 43% ABV. So the statement that matches is that proof is twice the ABV. The other ideas—half the ABV, three times ABV, or using ABW or a sum of ABV and ABW—don’t describe how proof is determined.