This paper will highlight the use of a rotating tube reactor (RTR) for enhancing the rate of fermentation reaction by creating a hydrodynamic environment suitable for biological reactions. Using thin films with controlled shear rates, tests were performed to study the fermentation of glucose into ethanol by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a RTR. Rate enhancements by orders of magnitude were obtained in comparison to conventional batch reactor processing. Semi batch operation was performed to demonstrate significant reaction time savings. Thin film concept coupled with the centrifuge action of the RTR is suitable for removal of ethanol from the reacting medium thereby minimizing the inhibition effect of ethanol on the growth mechanism. This inhibition effect is pronounced in the conventional batch reactor operation thereby slowing the speed of fermentation process.