PURPOSE: To obtain an edible vinegar of high quality having improved taste and flavor in a high concentration stably with high efficiency, by packing a lipophilic fibrous carrier in a fermentation column in which a liquid can be passed, applying acetic acid bacteria to the carrier, multiplying the acetic acid bacteria, and bringing a raw material KOJI for the edible vinegar and an oxygen-containing gas into contact with the carrier to pass both through the column.

CONSTITUTION: A lipophilic fibrous carrier 2 is packed in a fermentation column 1 in which a liquid can be passed, and acetic acid bacteria are applied to the carrier 2 and multiplied. Both end openings of the fermentation column 1 are closed with lids 3, and one end of a KOJI circulating pipe 5 having a liquid supply pump 4 is communicated to the upper space of the fermentation column 1, and the other end is communicated to the lower liquid phase part 6 of the fermentation column 1. One end of a gas circulating pipe 9 having a gas supply pump 8 is communicated to the upper space of the fermentation column 1, and the other end is communicated to the lower vapor phase part 7. A raw material KOJI6 for edible vinegar is forced through the circulating pipe 5 to come into contact with the carrier 2, and an oxygen-containing gas is forced through a gas supply pipe 10 to come into contact with the carrier 2. Both are passed through the carrier 2 to give the aimed edible vinegar.