Why is moonshine illegal

Moonshine has been having something of a renaissance.

The practice can be traced back to the Prohibition era of the s and the drinks are often still mimicked and served in the southern states. Moonshine is a generic slang term that refers to potently strong and illegally made alcoholic spirits. The word was first associated with bootleggers who were attempting to make and sell alcohol during the Prohibition era. In modern times, Moonshine is still used to describe illegal homemade alcohol, some certified distillers will often sell beverages that are described as moonshine for novelty value or to describe its stronger-than-usual taste. Some moonshine producers will seek to offer reproductions of clear high-proof homemade alcohol from the Prohibition era. But moonshine can be used to describe anything that pertains to be strong, homemade, and illicit - such as strong types of whiskey or "bathtub" gin. Across the US and most parts of Europe , distilling is against the law.

Why is moonshine illegal

Do you have a passion for distilling and want to sell your drinks in different types of marketplaces? Or maybe you just want to learn the essentials of home distilling? In either case, it's important to understand the legality of moonshine and its ABV. This number indicates the alcohol strength of a drink and is used in part for making popular cocktails and comparing different types of alcohol. Keep reading to learn what moonshine is, what the average ABV of moonshine is, what flavors it comes in, and more. Moonshine is a high-proof liquor produced illegally without government authorization. It is called moonshine because it is traditionally illegally distilled during the night to avoid being discovered by law enforcement. Moonshine is noted for having a very high alcohol content and being distilled in a variety of handmade, ramshackle stills usually found in the woods or mountains. Moonshine became very popular during the Prohibition era, in which organized and unorganized criminals were involved. It is still made and consumed today. Moonshine can be made from any grain or fruit but is most commonly made using corn. Since the majority of people who distill their own spirits are farmers or live in rural areas, they tend to use whatever crop they have a surplus of for distilling into moonshine. Corn is often preferred both because of its abundance and because it is a good source of fermentable sugar. Alcohol content can be converted to proof by multiplying it by two. The distilling process is the key to a spirit's alcohol content.

Without proper training and licenses, people attempting to make and distill their own spirits are not aware of the proper use of its primary ingredient - ethanol.

I recently attended a wedding where the groomsmen were passing around a bottle of what smelled like the strongest liquor known to man. One groomsman pocketed the bottle and smiled. My immediate thought was that moonshine is illegal. Yet everyone at the table confirmed they had already sipped moonshine at least once in their life. So, did the Dukes of Hazzard lie to me? Has moonshine really been completely legal this whole time? Also, what the hell is moonshine?

This may not be the same place you live. Historically, moonshine meant liquor that was made and distilled at home. Moonshine is typically made out of some kind of corn mash. Today, people make artisan moonshine out of a sense of nostalgia and preference for taste. These can be sold in liquor stores or brewed just for personal use. However, distilling alcohol at home, even for personal use, is illegal under federal law. In , legal moonshine stills opened in some parts of the south, including South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, and Alabama. These produced legal moonshine for sale and distribution.

Why is moonshine illegal

In this day and age, when many brew their own wine, beers, ciders, or meads, why is producing your own moonshine — and not just for sale, but for personal consumption, as well — still illegal? In fact, the federal government fears home-distilling so much that being caught in possession of unregistered stills or other moonshine production carries heavy penalties including hefty fines or possible imprisonment. Which begs the question: is any illegal liquor worth this hassle?

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At this point, you may be wondering whether making your own moonshine is worth the trouble at all. Advanced Mixology explains that moonshine is made by a similar process to vodka. Share this Video. According to federal law , you are allowed to brew beer and even make your own wine at home for your personal consumption. Irish Sun. Last Name. Without proper training and licenses, people attempting to make and distill their own spirits are not aware of the proper use of its primary ingredient - ethanol. Contact us to learn more about BinWise Pro and how it can help your bar. Has moonshine really been completely legal this whole time? The kicker is that, by definition, only illegally produced homemade alcohol is actually considered genuine moonshine. Also, what the hell is moonshine? States in the South — such as the Carolinas, Virginia and Florida — tend to have stricter enforcement due to their history with rebellious moonshiners, Spoelman explains. This act officially imposed a tax on alcohol, among other items, which made distilling without a permit even harder to get away with. It's a risky hobby, but for a bunch of weird reasons you might not expect.

The practice can be traced back to the Prohibition era of the s and the drinks are often still mimicked and served in the southern states. Moonshine is a generic slang term that refers to potently strong and illegally made alcoholic spirits. The word was first associated with bootleggers who were attempting to make and sell alcohol during the Prohibition era.

Across the US and most parts of Europe , distilling is against the law. Moonshine has been having something of a renaissance. Company Website. Advanced Mixology explains that moonshine is made by a similar process to vodka. You don't want to start making online liquor sales only to have your business closed by the government. Moonshine is a high-proof liquor produced illegally without government authorization. Take a look at our answers below:. Published August 4, Check your inbox for details. We strongly recommend buying a hydrometer if you do any distilling as it can help you determine the ABV of your spirit. I recently attended a wedding where the groomsmen were passing around a bottle of what smelled like the strongest liquor known to man. Facebook Twitter Email.