What Proof Legal Moonshine Can I Get In Indiana?

1. Moonshine is illegal because producers do not abide by state or federal laws regarding the licensure, manufacture, sale, and taxation of distilled spirits.
2. In West Virginia, field corn, soft creek water, and industrious farmers came together to make moonshine, sometimes also called mountain dew or white lightning.

Moonshine is typically 100-proof whiskey, aged little or none, and was an important cash crop. So long as revenue agents did not cause trouble, making moonshine was an efficient and profitable way to market corn. With a good still, one-and-a-half bushels of corn was reduced to a gallon of whiskey, which was worth more than the grain itself and less bulky to transport.

1. From the mid-18th century, settlers from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and England came to the mountains with distilling equipment and the necessary know how.
2. They quickly adapted their Old World recipes to include American field corn.
3. Whiskey was drunk in far greater quantities than today and used to barter for salt, nails, and taxes.

Some used it to buy property, and a good copper still and the condensing coil or “worm” had considerable value themselves. On March 3, 1791, soon after the colonies became a nation, Congress imposed the first taxes on stills and whiskey. Such laws caused the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion, an uprising in western Pennsylvania and parts of present West Virginia.

The settlers, mainly Scotch-Irish, saw the tax as unfair. President Washington himself led troops to stop the rioting, and the federal government kept the tax in force for 11 years. Whiskey remained untaxed from then until 1862, except for three years following the War of 1812. About 1910, states began to enact state prohibition laws in anticipation of the great national drought soon to follow.

West Virginia prohibition took effect in 1914. Then, from 1920 until 1933 the U.S. government enforced nationwide prohibition, causing a dramatic increase in moon shining. Even when national prohibition ended, parts of the South remained dry. In any case, some imbibers remained partial to clear mountain whiskey, and illegal distilling continued.

• After 1950, as local prohibition laws were voted out and economic conditions improved, the demand for illegal whiskey fell and production of moonshine declined.
• Mountaineers traditionally used corn in making moonshine.
• The first step was to sprout the corn, then crush the sprouted grain and mix with water.

This mixture, called mash, was fermented in open barrels. If moonshiners had yeast and used it, the fermentation took up to four days; if they didn’t have yeast and if the weather was cool, fermentation took longer, maybe two weeks. When fermentation was complete, the mildly alcoholic liquid, now called beer, was ready to distill or ‘‘run off.” The beer was heated in the still’s pot or copper kettle to the temperature, well below boiling, when alcoholic vapors rise from the liquid.

• These vapors were condensed back to liquid in the worm, a coil of copper tubing which passes through a cooling water bath.
• Each batch was typically run off two or more times to get the maximum whiskey from the fixings.
• Illegal whiskey is still made and readily available to those who know where to look for it.

Homemade corn liquor is just about a thing of the past, however, since sugar is now usually substituted for most of the grain. A number of licensed distilleries in West Virginia now make legal whiskey branded as “moonshine.” This Article was written by Mark F.

Is moonshine illegal in Illinois?

Despite being the home of the famous moonshine community, it is not exactly legal to make moonshine in Illinois. It is illegal to own a still that is designed to make alcohol. If a still is found in your possession, and it is suspected that it is used for making alcohol, your still will be confiscated.

Can you make your own alcohol in Indiana?

1/1/2015 last updated

It is illegal to own or operate a still for any reason or any use. IC 7.1-5-6-1 Making alcoholic beverages without permit prohibited Sec.1. Making Alcoholic Beverages Without Permit Prohibited. It is a Class C misdemeanor for a person to knowingly own, have in his possession or under his control, or use a still or distilling apparatus for the manufacture of liquor, except as otherwise provided in this title.

1. It also is a Class C misdemeanor for a person to knowingly own, have in his possession or under his control, or use brewing or wine-making appratus, for the manufacture for commercial purposes of beer or wine, except as otherwise provided in this title.
2. It is also illegal to be in possession of moonshine or to transport it.

IC 7.1-5-4-1 Possession of untaxed beverages prohibited Sec.1. Possession of Untaxed Beverages Prohibited. It is a Class C misdemeanor for a person to sell, barter, give away, or possess, an alcoholic beverage, knowing that all taxes due the state on it are not paid.

• Indiana Alcohol and tobacco commission A license to produce ethanol fuel is available, but it requires many additional permits and licenses.
• Realistically home distillers would most likely be unable to receive one.
• Indiana offers both a standard distillers permit ($2000) and an artisan distillers permit ($250) DISTILLERS’ AND RECTIFIERS’ PERMITS IC 7.1-3-7-1 IC 7.1-3-27-3 Gallonage limit Sec.3.

An artisan distiller may produce not more than ten thousand (10,000) gallons of liquor in any calendar year. Liquor produced by an artisan distiller that is sold through a wholesaler licensed under IC 7.1-3-8 may not be counted toward the gallonage limit.

1. Indiana Alcohol and tobacco commission There are several licenses you need to request to legally manufacture spirits.
2. Below are the federal licenses only.
3. Additional state requirements will need to be followed as well.
4. You must submit a request for a license to manufacture spirits: TTB 5110.41 Basic permit,

This license only allows you to produce spirits. You also need a license for the distilling equipment / distillery: TTB 5100.24 Distilled spirit plant For manufacturing ethanol fuel you will need to submit a request for a TTB 5110.74 for a federal license,

• It is illegal to be in possession of moonshine or to transport it.
• IC 7.1-5-4-1 Possession of untaxed beverages prohibited Sec.1.
• Possession of Untaxed Beverages Prohibited.
• It is a Class C misdemeanor for a person to sell, barter, give away, or possess, an alcoholic beverage, knowing that all taxes due the state on it are not paid.

Transporting moonshine is a misdemeanor and loss of vehicle can or will happen. IC 7.1-2-5-7 Illegal transportation; property rights limited Sec.7. A person who is interested in illegal transportation, or who has knowledge of it, shall have no right, title, or interest in or to a conveyance of any kind used for the illegal transportation of alcohol, alcoholic beverages, malt articles, or a tobacco product.

Is it illegal to make moonshine in Illinois?

1/1/2015 last updated

It is illegal in Illinois for residents to own or operate a still for any reason. A license is required to manufacture spirits, fuel, essential oils, etc. Illinois statute(235 ILCS 5/) Liquor Control Act of 1934 (235 ILCS 5/10-10) (from Ch.43, par.192) Sec.10-10.

Upon the issuance of any such search warrant, it shall be the duty of the officers executing the same to forthwith enter the house, building, premises, boat, vehicle, receptacle or other place therein described, either in the day time or night time, by force, if necessary, and to remove therefrom and confiscate any alcoholic liquor manufactured, possessed or kept for sale, contrary to the terms of this Act, and any machinery, equipment or material used in connection therewith, and to hold such property until all prosecution arising out of said search and seizure shall have ended and determined, and it shall be the duty of the officers executing such search warrant to arrest any person or persons found using or in possession or control of such alcoholic liquor, articles or things.

Illinois liquor control board website Alcohol fuel and essential oils can be manufactured if you apply for a fuel alcohol permit, which also requires federal fuel licenses before you can apply for the state permit. To legally distill spirits for commercial production you need to apply for a Class I Distillers License,

Class 1: Distiller—$3,600; Class 2: Rectifier—$3,600; Class 3: Brewer—$900; Class 4: 1st Class Wine Manufacturer—$600; Class 5: 2nd Class Wine Manufacturer—$1,200; Class 6: 1st Class Wine Maker—$600; Class 7: 2nd Class Wine Maker—$1,200; Class 8: Limited Wine Manufacturer—$120; Class 9: Craft Distiller—$1800.

REQUIRED: In addition to the above application and its supporting files, you must provide the Illinois Liquor Control Commission with copies of your Federal Basic Permit (http://www.ttb.gov/forms/f510024.pdf) and all Federal Label/Bottle Approvals (http://www.ttb.gov/forms/f510031.pdf).

1. There are several licenses you need to request to legally manufacture spirits.
2. Below are the federal licenses only.
3. Additional state requirements will need to be followed as well.
4. You must submit a request for a license to manufacture spirits: TTB 5110.41 Basic permit,
5. This license only allows you to produce spirits.

You also need a license for the distilling equipment / distillery: TTB 5100.24 Distilled spirit plant For manufacturing ethanol fuel you will need to submit a request for a TTB 5110.74 for a federal license, In Illinois it is illegal to be in the possession of moonshine All alcoholic liquor unlawfully manufactured, stored, kept, sold or otherwise disposed of, and the containers thereof, and all equipment used or fit for use in the manufacture or production of the same which are found at or about any still or outfit for the unlawful manufacture of alcoholic liquor on unlicensed premises are hereby declared contraband, and no right of property shall be or exist in any person owning, furnishing or possessing any such property, liquor, material or equipment, but all such property, articles and things, including alcoholic liquor, shall be sold upon an order of the court Being caught in the process of producing moonshine the fine is $1,000 and a misdemeanor offense.

Is making moonshine illegal in Michigan?

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1/1/2015 last updated

It is legal to own a still in the state of Michigan and the still can be used for non-ethanol production such as distilling wine, essential oils, etc. Based off the wording of the laws it does seem like it is illegal to produce moonshine for personal or to transport it.

• (1) to engage in the business of distilling distilled spirits, producing wine, rectifying or blending distilled spirits or wine, or bottling, or warehousing and bottling, distilled spirits; or
• (2) for any person so engaged to sell, offer or deliver for sale, contract to sell, or ship, in interstate or foreign commerce, directly or indirectly or through an affiliate, distilled spirits or wine so distilled, produced, rectified, blended, or bottled, or warehoused and bottled.

Michigan does have allow state residents to manufacture their own wine, beer, cider, etc. for personal or private use.436.1207 Exceptions to act. Sec.207.

• The manufacture of cider from fruit for the purpose of making vinegar and non-intoxicating cider and fruit juice for use and sale, and cider and fruit juice when used or sold, or both, within 30 days after manufacture.
• Beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider of any alcoholic content made on the premises by the owner or lessee of those premises provided those premises are used and occupied by that owner or lessee as a dwelling and the beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider is made for family use and home consumption.

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Motor Fuel Tax License Michigan does offer a commercial refiner’s license which allows the manufacture of ethanol for fuel and is licensed as a terminal operator. The license costs $2,000 and is a commercial license.

• I am not sure if this can be used for personal use or not (you’ll have to call and see how your county works).
• Because it is a commercial license you will need to pay taxes on fuel you manufacture.
• Michigan does offer different licenses for operating a distillery including a micro distillery license.
• Some counties in Michigan do not allow the sale of spirits so you will need to check with your county if you can manufacture spirits in that area.

A commercial distillery license costs $1,000 and requires a bond, while a micro distillery license costs $100 and bond and allows the manufacture of up to 60,000 gallons per year. There are several licenses you need to request to legally manufacture spirits.

• Below are the federal licenses only.
• Additional state requirements will need to be followed as well.
• You must submit a request for a license to manufacture spirits: TTB 5110.41 Basic permit,
• This license only allows you to produce spirits.
• You also need a license for the distilling equipment / distillery: TTB 5100.24 Distilled spirit plant For manufacturing ethanol fuel you will need to submit a request for a TTB 5110.74 for a federal license,

Michigan has very strict laws on transporting moonshine and are investing major effort in fighting bootlegging and out of state transport of spirits. Transporting over 21 gallons of moonshine is a felony, while anything less carries smaller fines and is a misdemeanor.436.1909 Violation of act as misdemeanor

1. Except as otherwise provided in this act, a person, other than a person required to be licensed under this act, who violates this act is guilty of a misdemeanor.
2. Except as otherwise provided in this act, a licensee who violates this act, or a rule or regulation promulgated under this act, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both.
3. A person who performs any act for which a license is required under this act without first obtaining that license or who sells alcoholic liquor in a county that has prohibited the sale of alcoholic liquor under section 1107 is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or by a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.
4. A person, whether or not a licensee, who violates section 901(4) is subject to the following penalties or sanctions:
5. A person who sells, delivers, or imports spirits in violation of section 901(4) in the amount of at least 80,000 milliliters is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.
6. A person who sells, delivers, or imports spirits in violation of section 901(4) in the amount of at least 8,000 milliliters but less than 80,000 milliliters is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $2,500.00, or both.
7. A person who sells, delivers, or imports spirits in violation of section 901(4) in the amount of less than 8,000 milliliters is responsible for a state civil infraction and may be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than $1,000.00.

Current federal laws allow citizens the right to own a still and operate it for non-alcohol production. This means legally you can: