A method for concentrating a solution, the method comprising: introducing a feed solution having at least one permeable solute into a first side of a forward osmosis system including a series of forward osmosis elements linked together in a countercurrent flow configuration, wherein the at least one permeable solute includes ethanol; circulating a draw solution through a second side of the forward osmosis system in a countercurrent flow with respect to the feed solution, the draw solution having one or more solutes and the at least one permeable solute, wherein a concentration of the at least one permeable solute in the draw solution is at least 1 wt% lower than a concentration of the at least one permeable solute in the feed solution; generating a diluted draw solution in the second side of the forward osmosis system, the diluted draw solution having a higher water concentration and higher at least one permeable solute concentration than the draw solution; producing a product stream including a concentrated feed solution from the first side of the forward osmosis system, the concentrated feed solution having a lower water content and a concentration of the at least one permeable solute that is less than the concentration of the at least one permeable solute in the feed solution; regenerating the draw solution from the diluted draw solution; recirculating the draw solution that has been regenerated through the second side of the forward osmosis system; processing the diluted draw solution in a first reverse osmosis element to produce a reverse osmosis permeate and a reverse osmosis reject; and combining at least a portion of the reverse osmosis reject with one or more components of the draw solution to form the regenerated draw solution. introducing a feed solution having at least one permeable solute into a first side of a forward osmosis system including a series of forward osmosis elements linked together in a countercurrent flow configuration, wherein the at least one permeable solute includes ethanol; circulating a draw solution through a second side of the forward osmosis system in a countercurrent flow with respect to the feed solution, the draw solution having one or more solutes and the at least one permeable solute, wherein a concentration of the at least one permeable solute in the draw solution is at least 1 wt% lower than a concentration of the at least one permeable solute in the feed solution; generating a diluted draw solution in the second side of the forward osmosis system, the diluted draw solution having a higher water concentration and higher at least one permeable solute concentration than the draw solution; producing a product stream including a concentrated feed solution from the first side of the forward osmosis system, the concentrated feed solution having a lower water content and a concentration of the at least one permeable solute that is less than the concentration of the at least one permeable solute in the feed solution; regenerating the draw solution from the diluted draw solution; recirculating the draw solution that has been regenerated through the second side of the forward osmosis system; processing the diluted draw solution in a first reverse osmosis element to produce a reverse osmosis permeate and a reverse osmosis reject; and combining at least a portion of the reverse osmosis reject with one or more components of the draw solution to form the regenerated draw solution. <EOS>