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 the same across a semipermeable membrane, said membrane possessing a chloride ion rejection greater than about 80% at 400 pounds per square inch 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, the separation conditions including a net pressure of from about 50 to about 250 pounds per square inch 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 the product.