Question

What is one commercial use of alcoholic fermentation?

Answer 1

Ask the brewing industry......which these days is a huge concern, and a major lobbier of governments..

Explanation:

Humanity has always sought release thru drink, and these days it is a very big industry.

`C_6H_12O_6 stackrel("yeast")rarr2C_2H_5OH + 2CO_2`

Grains and fruits are thus converted to beers and wines......and these products when redistilled give brandies and whiskies. And when these spirits are properly stored and aged they become very high value commodities.

Now it is true that the abuse of alcohol is a major societal problem. And yet at one time, not so long ago, alcohol would be the only medicine you could get. It might not cure you, but it would make you happy.

I have said the same thing here.

So-called `"industrial methylated spirits"`, `"IMS"`, is ethanol produced on a large industrial scale, and to which a bit of denaturant has been added (methanol or phenol), so that if you drink it, it makes you sick (or blind). `"IMS"` is widely used as an industrial solvent.