Note 6 - Operating Segments (Detail) - Operating Profit (Loss) for Each Segment (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Net Sales to Customers
Net Sales to Customers	$ 86,404		$ 86,344
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	2,968		2,935
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	71		1,996
Distillery Products [Member]
Net Sales to Customers
Net Sales to Customers	70,804		72,485
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	2,001		1,747
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	4,318		2,686
Ingredient Solutions [Member]
Net Sales to Customers
Net Sales to Customers	15,402		13,578
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	585		650
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	1,572		1,638
All Other Segments [Member]
Net Sales to Customers
Net Sales to Customers	198		281
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	20		61
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	(90)		(96)
Corporate [Member]
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and Amortization	362		477
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	(5,729)		(6,239)
Gain On Sale Of Joint Venture Interest [Member]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes		[1]	$ 4,007	[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, the gain on sale of joint venture interest for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 has been excluded from the Company's segments.