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How did moonshine Illinois get its name?
Geography – The location of Moonshine is published on United States Geological Survey topographical maps as well as the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). It is GNIS feature ID 422996 and is listed as a populated place. GNIS lists the Moonshine at 39°11′26″N 087°53′44″W / 39.19056°N 87.89556°W,
Is Moonshining 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.
What the heck is moonshine?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Type | Whisky |
---|---|
Alcohol by volume | At least 40% |
Proof (US) | At least 80° |
Colour | Clear to off-white depending on ingredients |
Ingredients | Grain ( mashing ), sugar ( fermented water ) |
Related products | Bourbon whiskey, corn whiskey, Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, rye whiskey, Tennessee whiskey |
A modern DIY pot still Moonshine is high-proof liquor, generally whiskey, traditionally made, or at least distributed, illegally, Its clandestine distribution is known as bootlegging, The name was derived from a tradition of creating the alcohol during the nighttime, thereby avoiding detection.
What is bad about moonshine?
Methanol: The Toxic Side Of Moonshine – You may have heard stories about the dangers of moonshine, or any illegally distilled liquor. The real culprit of these true stories, however, is methanol. Methanol, or methyl alcohol, is a byproduct of the distilling process.
Can I own a still in Illinois?
It is illegal in Illinois for residents to own or operate a still for any reason.
How much time can you get for moonshine?
Home Distilling 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.) 5042(a)(2) and 5053(e)).
Within title 26 of the United States Code, section 5601 sets out criminal penalties for activities including the following. Offenses under this section are felonies that are punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, for each offense.
- 5601(a)(1) – Possession of an unregistered still.
- 5601(a)(2) – Engaging in business as a distiller without filing an application and receiving notice of registration.
- 5601(a)(6) – Distilling on a prohibited premises. (Under 26 U.S.C.5178(a)(1)(B), a distilled spirits plant may not be located in a residence or in sheds, yards, or enclosures connected to a residence.)
- 5601(a)(7) – Unlawful production or use of material fit for production of distilled spirits.
- 5601(a)(8) – Unlawful production of distilled spirits.
- 5601(a)(11) – Purchase, receipt, and/or processing of distilled spirits when the person who does so knows or has reasonable grounds to believe that Federal excise tax has not been paid on the spirits.
- 5601(a)(12) – Removal or concealment of distilled spirits on which tax has not been paid.
Under 26 U.S.C.5602, engaging in business as a distiller with intent to defraud the United States of tax is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Under 26 U.S.C.5604(a)(1), transporting, possessing, buying, selling, or transferring any distilled spirit unless the container bears the closure required by 26 U.S.C.5301(d) (i.e., a closure that must be broken in order to open the container) is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, for each offense.
Under 26 U.S.C.5613, all distilled spirits not closed, marked, and branded as required by law and the TTB regulations shall be forfeited to the United States. In addition, 26 U.S.C.5615(1) provides that unregistered stills and/or distilling apparatus also will be forfeited. Under 26 U.S.C.5615(3), whenever any person carries on the business of a distiller without having given the required bond or with the intent to defraud the United States of tax on distilled spirits, the personal property of that person located in the distillery, and that person’s interest in the tract of land on which the still is located, shall be forfeited to the United States.
Under 26 U.S.C.5686, possessing liquor or property intended to be used in violation of the law is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. Such liquor and property is also subject to the seizure and forfeiture provisions in 26 U.S.C.5688.
Under 26 U.S.C.7201, any person who willfully attempts to evade or defeat any Internal Revenue Code tax (including the tax on distilled spirits) has committed a felony and shall be fined up to $100,000, imprisoned for up to 5 years, or both, plus the cost of prosecution. Under 26 U.S.C.7301, any property subject to tax, or raw materials and/or equipment for the production of such property, in the possession of any person for the purpose of being sold or removed in violation of the internal revenue laws may be seized and shall be forfeited to the United States.
In addition, any property (including aircraft, vehicles, and vessels) used to transport or used as a container for such property or materials may be seized and shall be forfeited to the United States. Further, 26 U.S.C.7302 adds that it is unlawful to possess any property intended for use, or which has been used, in violation of the internal revenue laws; no property rights shall exist in any such property.
Can you own a still in Mississippi?
1/1/2015 last updated
While technically it is legal to distill water, Rosin, essential oils (that do not produce ethanol byproducts) owning a still in Mississippi is illegal and carries ridiculous fines and penalties, with the first offense having a minimum sentence of 12 months, and up to 36 months in the state penitentiary.
If it is found that a still could have been or could be used in the production of moonshine chances are you will be found guilty.67-1-10 – Penalties for owning, controlling or possessing illegal distillery, or parts thereof; exceptions It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to own or control or have in such person’s, firm’s or corporation’s possession any distillery commonly called a still or any integral part thereof.
It shall not be unlawful to own or have in possession a distillery or still in the following circumstances:
(a) Where the same is used exclusively for the distillation of rosin products; (b) Where the same is used exclusively for the distillation of water; (c) Where the same is kept and lawfully used in any laboratory; (d) Where the same is in the possession of any officers of the law, to be disposed of according to law; or (e) Where the person or corporation can prove that the same is in his or their possession for the purpose of being delivered up to an officer of the law to be disposed of according to law. Any person guilty of violating this section shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof shall be confined in the State Penitentiary not less than one (1) year, nor more than three (3) years for a first offense, and for a second offense he shall be confined in the State Penitentiary not less than five (5), nor more than ten (10) years.
Because of the restrictions of owning a still it is illegal to produce ethanol without a federal license and may not be legal at all in this state. I was unable to find any information specific to licenses to manufacture ethanol fuel. Mississippi only offers 1 type of license for operating a distillery and costs $9,025 per year.
- Also Mississippi has many dry counties which may or may not allow a distillery to be run (34 out of 82 total are dry counties).
- Mississippi ABC licenses 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,
If found in the possession of moonshine or a still not only can the still and spirits be confiscated, but your house/property can be seized or if transporting spirits or equipment your vehicle as well.67-1-10 – Penalties for owning, controlling or possessing illegal distillery, or parts thereof; exceptions It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to own or control or have in such person’s, firm’s or corporation’s possession any distillery commonly called a still or any integral part thereof.
It shall not be unlawful to own or have in possession a distillery or still in the following circumstances:
(a) Where the same is used exclusively for the distillation of rosin products; (b) Where the same is used exclusively for the distillation of water; (c) Where the same is kept and lawfully used in any laboratory; (d) Where the same is in the possession of any officers of the law, to be disposed of according to law; or (e) Where the person or corporation can prove that the same is in his or their possession for the purpose of being delivered up to an officer of the law to be disposed of according to law. Any person guilty of violating this section shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof shall be confined in the State Penitentiary not less than one (1) year, nor more than three (3) years for a first offense, and for a second offense he shall be confined in the State Penitentiary not less than five (5), nor more than ten (10) years.
MS Code § 67-1-17 (2013) Unlawful possession of alcoholic beverages; seizure and sale It shall be unlawful for any person to have or possess either alcoholic beverages or personal property intended for use in violating the provisions of this chapter, or regulations prescribed under this chapter, or Chapter 31 of Title 97, Mississippi Code of 1972.
(2) The following are subject to forfeiture: (a) All alcoholic beverages which have been manufactured, distilled, distributed, dispensed or acquired in violation of this chapter or Chapter 31 of Title 97, Mississippi Code of 1972; (b) All raw materials, products and equipment of any kind which are used, or intended for use, in manufacturing, compounding, processing, delivering, importing or exporting any alcoholic beverage in violation of this chapter or Chapter 31 of Title 97, Mississippi Code of 1972; (c) All property which is used, or intended for use, as a container for property described in items (a) or (b) of this subsection; (e) All money, deadly weapons, books, records and research products and materials, including formulas, microfilm, tapes and data which are used, or intended for use, in violation of this chapter or Chapter 31 of Title 97, Mississippi Code of 1972. (3) Property subject to forfeiture may be seized by the alcoholic beverage control division and its agents, local law enforcement officers, Mississippi Highway Patrol officers and other law enforcement personnel charged by Section 67-1-91, with enforcing the provisions of this chapter upon process issued by any appropriate court having jurisdiction over the property.
Current federal laws allow citizens the right to own a still and operate it for non-alcohol production. This means legally you can:
What happens in moonshine?
Does the destiny of the Finley-Cullen family begin with or end at the Moonshine? Moonshine is a raucous one-hour dramedy that tells the story of the Finley-Cullens, a dysfunctional family of adult half-siblings battling to take control over the family business – a ramshackle summer resort on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, one septic tank away from bankruptcy and with a dark family secret at its core.
Why do moonshiners throw away the head?
Page 6 – Distillation is used for numerous applications, including the distillation of essential oils and spirits. Our Copper Alembics are perfectly suitable for these applications nevertheless certain should be taken to avoid personal injury as a result of negligence or the continuous consumption of poor results.
Distillation is a basic chemical science which involves the separation of a chemical substance into its different components based on difference in the boiling point of each fraction. This is done by heating a mixture in an alembic pot so the fractions that make up the mixture begin to evaporate, these are conducted via a connecting arm or swan neck into a condenser where they are chilled and revert to their liquid state.
Ethanol alcohol evaporates at 78.3ºC at sea level and water at 100ºC but a mixture of the two components will evaporate between 78.3ºC and 100ºC depending on the ratio of ethanol alcohol and water. The more volatile components or those fractions with a lower boiling point will tend to evaporate first so the resultant vapours will be more enriched with those components with a lower boiling point.
A fermented batch may be composed of ethanol, other higher alcohols such as methanol also acetone, various esters, water and furfurals. The more volatile components such as acetone, methanol and the various esters are undesirable; methanol for instance has been known to cause blindness. It is common practice to throw away the first portion of the distillate, this way you will get rid of the methanol.
Separate and discard the first 50ml If distilling a 25 L wash or mash in a reflux still or 100ml per 20L wash from the rest of the distillate if using a traditional alembic, these fractions are known as foreshots or heads and are distilled first. The result of any distillation is divided into three separate parts in the following order: heads, hearts and tails.
- The best and desired portion of the distillation is obtained from the hearts.
- Cut off points have to be determined between heads, hearts and tails, the art lies in when to start collecting the hearts and when to stop.
- Experienced distillers use their senses to determine cut off points, they monitor the taste and smell of the heads, these usually have a very sharp taste and are foul smelling.
The hearts portion of the distillate (the ethanol) should be totally transparent and odourless. The tails contain a large amount of compounds with higher boiling points, such as the higher alcohols and furfural. These compounds can spoil the taste of the spirit if the collection is carried on too long.
The cut off point for the tails can be identified by the taste, smell and milky cloudiness of the distillate. This is done by collecting a few drops on the back of a spoon every so often and checking what it tastes or looks like on a regular basis. The tails are usually saved to include in the next batch as a considerable amount of ethanol alcohol can still be recovered.
Cut off points may also be established based on temperature (see our ) or readings. Temperature readings may not determine the cut off point with the greatest accuracy though they may be helpful in determining the end of a complete distillation run. For instance when the vapour temperature nears 98° C most of the alcohol has already been distilled and it becomes unnecessary to continue the distillation process.
- The percentage at which to do the cut may depend on the flavour profile you may want to obtain and the kind of wash distilled.
- As a rule for fruit mashes the cut off point for tails may be 25% alcohol and for grain washes 18%, this is not a hard and fast rule and the distiller has to toggle with these values to obtain the desired flavour profile.
Most distillates are double distilled to further purify the distillation results and raise the alcohol percentage. A second distillation may also concentrate the flavour further. The cut off point for a second distillation in a fruit mash may be as low as 60%.
Why is the drink called moonshine?
The History of Moonshine in the United States Inspection of Homemade Moonshine Moonshine has played an important role in American history. In fact, moonshine wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for American history. Mankind has produced alcohol for thousands of years. However, the American government was one of the first major governments in the world to tax and control the alcohol industry.
The moment the government started to tax and control alcohol was also the moment the moonshine industry began. The term “moonshine” comes from the fact that illegal spirits were made under the light of the moon. In every part of America, early moonshiners worked their stills at night to avoid detection from authorities.
The United States started taxing liquors and spirits shortly after the American Revolution. In the years following the Revolution, the United States was struggling to pay the bills of the long war. Taxing liquors and spirits was an effective way to generate revenue for the government.
- In the early frontier days of American history, moonshine wasn’t a hobby: it was a part-time job,
- Many farmers relied on moonshine manufacturing to survive bad years.
- Low-value corn crops could be turned into high-value whisky.
- Back in those days, Americans hated paying liquor taxes.
- They hated taxes so much that revenuers, the government agents who came to collect taxes, were often attacked, tarred, and feathered when they came to visit.
The tension between the government and its citizens eventually boiled over into a conflict called the Whisky Rebellion, which began in 1791 during George Washington’s presidency. Although the Whisky Rebellion was a violent resistance movement, fewer than 15 people were killed throughout the entire conflict. To suppress the rebellion, George Washington led a coalition of 13,000 militia troops into western Pennsylvania – which was the center of the rebellion and America’s frontier country at the time.
- Washington successfully suppressed the Whisky Rebellion.
- This marked an important point in U.S.
- History because it proved that the newly formed country could suppress violent uprisings within its own territory.
- But, ultimately, the rebels were successful because in 1801 Thomas Jefferson and his Republican Party repealed the tax to widespread public support.
During the Civil War, the American government once again imposed excise taxes on its citizens to fund the war. Revenuers and IRS officials cracked down harshly on moonshiners, leading to many violent conflicts throughout the country. During the Whisky Rebellion, moonshiners were portrayed as heroes standing against an oppressive government.
- After the Civil War, that attitude shifted.
- Many now saw moonshiners as violent criminals.
- In 1920, moonshiners across the country rejoiced: Prohibition was passed across the nation.
- Legal alcohol was no longer available anywhere.
- Overnight, illegal liquor became one of the most profitable businesses in America.
Organized crime took over the moonshine business and distillers sprung up across the country to keep up with demand. Producers began to sell watered-down moonshine based on sugar instead of corn. Speakeasies – complete with hidden doors, passwords, and secret escape routes – could be found in every city in America.
The good times couldn’t last forever for moonshiners. In 1933, Prohibition was repealed and the moonshine market dwindled to a shadow of its former self. Today, moonshine is viewed much differently than it was a few decades ago. Only a few developed countries in the world let residents legally produce their own home-brewed spirits.
New Zealand, for example, allows home distillation for personal consumption but not for private sale. Whether producing or running a clandestine distillery, you’re sipping on American history every time you pour yourself a glass of moonshine. : The History of Moonshine in the United States
What did they call moonshine?
In English, moonshine is also known as mountain dew, choop, hooch (abbreviation of hoochinoo, name of a specific liquor, from Tlingit), homebrew, mulekick, shine, white dog, white lightning, white/corn liquor, white/corn whiskey, pass around, firewater, and bootleg.