Note 7 - Operating Segments (Detail) - Operating Profit (Loss) for Each Segment (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011
Net Sales to Customers
Net Sales to Customers	$ 85,534		$ 68,798		$ 171,878		$ 132,986
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	2,908		2,538		5,843		4,760
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	(918)		(10,387)		1,078		(9,523)
Distillery Products [Member]
Net Sales to Customers
Net Sales to Customers	71,196		52,965		143,681		103,293
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	1,384		1,246		2,768		2,520
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	3,762		(3,712)		6,448		4,294
Ingredient Solutions [Member]
Net Sales to Customers
Net Sales to Customers	14,090		15,604		27,668		29,178
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	646		598		1,296		1,153
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	987		(136)		2,624		(35)
All Other Segments [Member]
Net Sales to Customers
Net Sales to Customers	248		229		529		515
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	61		62		122		164
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	(150)		(209)		(246)		(385)
Corporate [Member]
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	817		632		1,657		923
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	(5,517)	[1]	(6,330)	[1]	(11,802)	[1]	(13,397)	[1]
Gain On Sale Of Joint Venture Interest [Member]
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes		[1]		[1]	$ 4,055	[1]		[1]

[1] The Company's management reporting does not assign or allocate special charges to the Company's operating segments. For purposes of comparative analysis, gain on sale of joint venture interest for the year to date period ended June 30, 2012 has been excluded from the Company's segments.