Production of low alcoholic content beverages

A continuous feed and bleed process for the diminution of the alcoholic content of an alcoholic beverage which comprises passing a mixture of water and said beverage from a reservoir containing same across a semipermeable membrane, said membrane possessing a chloride ion rejection greater than 97% at 400 psi net pressure and displaying a permeation rate for alcohol that is dependent on net pressure for low net pressure and that is essentially independent of net pressure for high net pressure, at separation conditions including net pressure of from about 50 to about 250 psi to form a permeate comprising alcohol and water, and a retentate comprising said beverage containing a reduced alcoholic content, removing said permeate, recycling a portion of said retentate to admix with added fresh alcoholic beverage and water prior to contact with said semipermeable membrane to form a feed admixture, the portion of said retentate which is recycled comprising from about 80 to about 99% of said retentate, with the portion of the retentate which is not recycled being recovered as a product.