Is moonshine still illegal?

The production of moonshine — or really any spirit — without a license is prohibited by the U.S. government and is very much illegal. Although you might see “moonshine” sitting on your local liquor store shelves, it's not exactly the most accurate moniker for a bottled brand.

Why is moonshine illegal in the US?

So why is moonshine still illegal? Because the liquor is worth more to the government than beer or wine. Uncle Sam takes an excise tax of $2.14 for each 750-milliliter bottle of 80-proof spirits, compared with 21 cents for a bottle of wine (of 14 percent alcohol or less) and 5 cents for a can of beer.

What type of moonshine is illegal?

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.

Is illegal moonshine still being made?

But It's Still Illegal : The Salt : NPR. Making Moonshine At Home Is On The Rise. But It's Still Illegal : The Salt Let's be clear: Making spirits at home with plans to drink it remains against federal law, folks. Even so, more and more people appear to be taking up home distilling as a hobby.

How much will a 5 gallon still produce?

General Alcohol Yields

You can generally assume that your alcohol still will produce a final batch that is about 20% of the size of your copper still's pot. For example, the average run in a 5 gallon still can be expected to produce about a gallon or a gallon and a half of moonshine.

Guide to 'Shine: Legal vs. Illegal Explained | Moonshiners

Can I make moonshine at home?

While individuals of legal drinking age may produce wine or beer at home for personal or family use, Federal law strictly prohibits individuals from producing distilled spirits at home (see 26 United States Code (U.S.C.)

How much is a jar of moonshine?

Usually $25 but sometimes they put a flavor or two on sale for $5 off. over a year ago.

Is vodka a moonshine?

While vodka is legal in most countries, moonshine is a term that describes distilled spirits with extremely high proof that aren't legally accepted in most states. Based on their alcohol content, moonshine is stronger than vodka because it has higher alcohol-proof.

Is Everclear moonshine?

Both Everclear and Moonshine are unaged spirits; however, Everclear is made from grain and Moonshine from corn. Everclear is a brand name of a neutral-tasting, very potent grain alcohol. Moonshine is a general term used to describe illegally produced corn whiskey.

Is moonshine legal in Texas?

In Summary

Texas makes moonshining illegal within its state and can be punishable by serious violations and criminal charges. The term generally means that it is the illegal distillation of liquor, and with more impurities present in the drink, it is also a concern of public safety risk.

Is moonshine legal in California?

No, it is not legal to distill alcohol in California without a permit. However, several commercial distillers permits are available. Distilling alcohol intended for human consumption, without a permit, is illegal in the State of California. Distilling alcohol for fuel, however, may in fact be legal.

Is moonshine legal in Florida?

In Florida, possession of moonshine is illegal and may lead to criminal charges. According to section 562.451 of Florida Statutes, anyone who possesses moonshine, or liquor not made or manufactured in compliance with Florida law, may be guilty of a misdemeanor or felony.

Is apple pie moonshine illegal?

Apple pie-flavored moonshine is the perfect alcoholic beverage for fall—whether you drink it straight out of the jar or use it as a mixer in your favorite cocktail.

What is the highest legal proof of alcohol?

High-proof alcohols can legally go up to 192 proof in the United States. The strongest liquor you'll find on a shelf in the United States is the Polish vodka, Spirytus, coming in at 192 proof or 96 percent alcohol. For reference, this is an even higher alcohol content than Everclear, which contains 95 percent alcohol.

Why do moonshiners shake the jar?

Why do Moonshiners shake the jar? They shake the jar to check the proof of alcohol. By observing the size of the resulting bubbles and how long they take to dissipate, the Moonshiners can figure out whether there is high alcohol content or proof.

Is Titos a moonshine?

Moonshine is 100 percent corn mash typically, distilled into liquor. Tito's is a 100 percent corn "vodka." What's the difference between the two?

Is moonshine healthy to drink?

It will simply get people drunker. However, after it is metabolized, the methanol can have an extremely harmful effect in someone's body. 10 milliliters (ml) of methanol is all it takes to permanently damage the optic nerve and cause partial, if not complete, blindness. 30 ml of methanol is lethal.

Where is moonshine legal in the United States?

In contrast to Florida, some state's home distilling laws allow “legal” moonshining, even though it's considered illegal federally. Those states include Alaska, Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Rhode Island.

How many proof is moonshine?

On average, a proof moonshine could range somewhere between 100 to 150 proof. When you convert that alcohol by volume, 150 proof is equivalent to 75% alcohol by volume.

Is Ole Smoky real moonshine?

Products. Currently, Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine nationally retails fifteen flavors of moonshine made using authentic East Tennessee recipes, jarred and shipped directly from the company's Gatlinburg distillery.

How much moonshine will a 13 gallon still make?

The 8 Gallon will hold about 6.5 Gallons of a distilling wash, making about 1 gallon of distillate, while the 13 Gallon holds close to 10 Gallons. Really, what it comes down to when picking the right Dual Purpose, is how much you're looking to make.

How long does it take to run a 10 gallon still?

There is no general guideline as it is dependent on the individual still and how you run it. My experience is that my 15G keg with a 2" pot head takes 4-5 hours for a 10 gallon strip run.

What percent alcohol is moonshine?

Moonshine usually has an ABV of 40% but can sometimes be as high as 60%-80% ABV. Alcohol content can be converted to proof by multiplying it by two. So, 40% ABV is 80-proof. The distilling process is the key to a spirit's alcohol content.

What does moonshine taste like?

Aside from the rubbing alcohol taste, you should taste the slight sweetness and hints of corn flavor. Some testers report that bottles of moonshine taste like good grappa and have a flavor strictly of their own. Others claim to discern vanilla notes in the good moonshine.

Is it illegal to make your own alcohol?

Across the US and most parts of Europe, distilling is against the law. There are many reasons that governments choose to prevent its citizens from making their own alcohol. In fact, even buying or owning any type of still (the vessel used to distil spirits) is illegal in many countries.