Parent Financial Statements - Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 14,370	$ 16,566	$ 18,312	$ 21,982
Restricted cash	1,533	4,612
Other receivable	256	117
Total current assets	27,035	30,649
Property and equipment, net	33,559	41,155
Other assets:
Other assets	868	984
Total assets	61,462	72,788
Liabilities:
Total liabilities	34,234	40,372
Members' equity:
Members' capital, no par value, 25,410,851 units issued and outstanding	48,638	48,638
Accumulated deficit	(21,410)	(16,222)
Total members' equity	27,228	32,416
Total liabilities and members' equity	61,462	72,788
Parent Company [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	4,726	8,158	$ 8,561	$ 8,988
Restricted cash	1,533	1,500
Other receivable		6
Total current assets	6,259	9,664
Property and equipment, net	96	211
Other assets:
Other assets	32	32
Total assets	27,331	32,732
Liabilities:
Accrued expenses	103	295
Other liabilities		21
Total liabilities	103	316
Members' equity:
Members' capital, no par value, 25,410,851 units issued and outstanding	48,638	48,638
Accumulated deficit	(21,410)	(16,222)
Total members' equity	27,228	32,416
Total liabilities and members' equity	27,331	32,732
ABE Fairmont [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Other assets:
Investment in ABE		108
ABE South Dakota [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Other assets:
Investment in ABE	$ 20,944	$ 22,717