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What do you call a moonshine still?
What is a Moonshine Still – Before we get started, let’s define exactly what you’ll be building. Copper stills, also called “moonshine stills,” have a storied history in the United States. The reason these types are called “moonshine stills” is that during the US prohibition, when alcohol was outlawed, home distillers made their whiskey at night by the light of the moon to avoid getting caught.
- Hence the term “moonshine.” As bootleggers always used copper stills, small copper stills are generally referred to as “moonshine stills.” So, the phrase “moonshine still” doesn’t refer to what the stills are meant to distill.
- These types of stills are actually multi-purpose; they can be used to distill water, essential oils, fuel alcohol, spirits, and with the proper permits and safety precautions, moonshine.
Although alcohol is legal again, making whiskey at home, and in some cases even owing a still, remains illegal, However, the name “moonshine” endures, and the name “moonshine still” has stuck as well.
Can you sell moonshine in the US?
Federal law provides no exemptions for the production of distilled spirits for personal or family use. Under no circumstances should an individual ever distill or sell alcohol without a permit. If an individual chooses to distill alcohol, make sure to obtain all applicable fuel or spirit permits (listed above).
Is it legal to own a still in Texas?
1/1/2015 last updated
Texas does not allow residents to legally own a still regardless of it’s use without having a commercial distilling license. Since any still that could be used for distilling water, essential oils, etc. “capable of manufacturing illicit beverages” this would imply any still, regardless of if its use could be illgal.
- Sec.103.01.
- ILLICIT BEVERAGES PROHIBITED.
- No person may possess, manufacture, transport, or sell an illicit beverage.
- Sec.103.01.
- ILLICIT BEVERAGES PROHIBITED.
- Sec.103.02.
- EQUIPMENT OR MATERIAL FOR MANUFACTURE OF ILLICIT BEVERAGES.
- No person may possess equipment or material designed for, capable of use for, or used in manufacturing an illicit beverage.
Individuals can manufacture ethanol fuel if they apply for a permit. I am unsure if this permit requires a distillery license or not, but you will need to contact your county to see if the permit is allowed in your area. Local Industrial Producers Permit Texas does offer a basic distillers license for commercial manufacture of spirits.
- Texas 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, Texas does not allow residents to legally own a still regardless of it’s use without having a commercial distilling license.
Since any still that could be used for distilling water, essential oils, etc. “capable of manufacturing illicit beverages” this would imply any still, regardless of if its use could be illgal. Sec.103.01. ILLICIT BEVERAGES PROHIBITED. No person may possess, manufacture, transport, or sell an illicit beverage.
Sec.103.01. ILLICIT BEVERAGES PROHIBITED. Sec.103.02. EQUIPMENT OR MATERIAL FOR MANUFACTURE OF ILLICIT BEVERAGES. No person may possess equipment or material designed for, capable of use for, or used in manufacturing an illicit beverage. Current federal laws allow citizens the right to own a still and operate it for non-alcohol production.
Is moonshine legal in Canada?
Is it illegal to drink moonshine in Canada? No, it is not illegal to drink moonshine in Canada if you are above the drinking age. It is only illegal to distill liquor or moonshine in Canada without a license, so be sure to buy your moonshine from a distillery that is properly licensed.
Is making moonshine illegal in Louisiana?
1/1/2015 last updated
Louisiana defers state laws to the federal laws, which means it should be legal to own a still if it is not used in the manufacture of moonshine and using a still for distilling water, manufacturing essential oils, etc. should be legal. The manufacture of distilled spirits is illegal.
Louisiana ATC law book Louisiana ATC applications ATC website
I could not find any information about ethanol fuel licenses but there are several producers in Louisiana so licenses seem to be available. §71. Permits required; fees; exception Except as provided in Subsections B and C of this Section, before engaging in the business of manufacturing, supplying, or dealing in alcoholic beverages, all persons shall obtain from the commissioner, according to established rules and regulations, a permit to conduct each separate business and shall pay the commissioner a fee not to exceed the amounts provided for in the following schedule and in accordance with regulations promulgated pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act for each year the permit is valid:
(1)(a) In-state manufacturers – one thousand dollars for each establishment in the state. (b) Out-of-state manufacturers and suppliers who do not maintain an establishment in the state. (i) Manufacturers and suppliers who sell less than one thousand cases of their product in the state – two hundred dollars. (ii) All other out-of-state manufacturers and suppliers – one thousand dollars. (2) Wholesalers – two thousand five hundred dollars for each place of business in the state. (3) Retailers – (a) There shall be three types of Class A retail liquor permits: (i) Class A-General – two hundred dollars for each place of business in any city in the state and one hundred dollars for each place of business in a town, village, or unincorporated place. (ii) Class A-Restaurant – two hundred dollars for each establishment in the state. (iii) Class A-Special – two hundred dollars for each facility in the state.
§71.3. Microdistillery; retail sales for consumption on or off premises
A. Any person who has properly obtained a microdistiller’s permit as provided for in R.S.26:71, shall be authorized to engage in the distilling, making, blending, rectifying, or processing of any alcoholic beverage in Louisiana in a quantity not to exceed twelve thousand gallons during the licensed year. The holder of such permit shall also be authorized to sell the manufactured beverages at retail for consumption on or off the licensed premises, if the holder also has been issued a Retailer Class A permit.B. The provisions of this Section shall not authorize the holder of a microdistiller’s permit to sell the manufactured beverages at wholesale or to any wholesale dealer.C. The microdistiller shall not sell any alcoholic beverages for transportation off the premises to any other licensed alcoholic beverage retail dealer.D. Beverages produced by a microdistiller shall be taxed in the same manner and at the same rate as beverages produced by other manufacturers, as provided by law.E. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S.26:149, microdistillers may reuse alcoholic beverage containers in connection with distilling and bottling operations.F. Prior to commencing distilling operations, microdistillers shall obtain approval from the state fire marshal.
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, I was unable to find any specific laws or fines specific to still ownership, or the manufacture or transportation of moonshine.
Current federal laws allow citizens the right to own a still and operate it for non-alcohol production. This means legally you can: