Note 7 - Operating Segments (Detail) - Operating Profit (Loss) for Each Segment (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Net Sales to Customers
Net Sales to Customers	$ 76,107		$ 76,138		$ 247,985		$ 209,124
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	2,837		2,387		8,680		7,147
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	518		(5,475)		1,596		(14,998)
Distillery Products [Member]
Net Sales to Customers
Net Sales to Customers	61,513		60,537		205,194		163,830
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	1,433		1,055		4,201		3,575
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	3,513		379		9,960		4,673
Ingredient Solutions [Member]
Net Sales to Customers
Net Sales to Customers	14,184		15,414		41,852		44,592
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	567		599		1,863		1,752
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	2,184		1,592		4,760		1,557
All Other Segments [Member]
Net Sales to Customers
Net Sales to Customers	410		187		939		702
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	61		61		183		225
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	(85)		(112)		(332)		(497)
Corporate [Member]
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	776		672		2,433		1,595
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	(5,094)	[1]	(7,334)	[1]	(16,847)	[1]	(20,732)	[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 September 30, 2012 has been excluded from the Company's segments.