Fermentation is a sort of decay.

When the juice of grapes, apples, or other fruit is allowed to stand in a warm place it "works," or ferments, and thus produces alcohol.

Wine is fermented grape-juice; hard cider is fermented apple-juice.
~11.~ Beer, ale, and similar drinks are made from grains.

The grain is first moistened and allowed to sprout.

In sprouting, the starch of the grain is changed to sugar.