What Is It Legal Limit Of Moonshine For Personal Use?

When is Home Distilling Legal? – Federal law states that it is legal to own a still of any size. It doesn’t matter if an individual has a 1 gallon still or a 100 gallon still. More specifically, it is legal to have a still for decoration, distilling water, distilling essential oils, etc.

The still does not need to be registered with anyone and no permits are needed as long as it is being used for the aforementioned purposes. A common misconception is that only stills 1 gallon and smaller are legal. This is not true. Actual law merely states that stills 1 gallon or less that are not being used to distill alcohol do not need a serial number (see more on this below).

We don’t claim to be lawyers, and our post on the legalities of distilling should NOT be taken as legal advice, however, we’ve done a lot of digging on this topic and feel that we have a pretty good handle on whether or not possessing a still and making moonshine is illegal.

UPDATE: there has been some debate in the comments regarding which types of stills are allowed according to federal law. Our interpretation is that the federal government does not require registration of stills that are not being used to produce distilled spirits. Here is our reasoning: First, you must read the section USC Sec.5179(a), a provision of Internal Revelue code.

Pay careful attention to the wording and terminology used, particularly the exceptions made for different distillation use cases as well as the requirements for when a still is actually considered “set up.” “§5179. Registration of stills (a) Requirements Every person having in his possession or custody, or under his control, any still or distilling apparatus set up, shall register such still or apparatus with the Secretary immediately on its being set up, by subscribing and filing with the Secretary a statement, in writing, setting forth the particular place where such still or distilling apparatus is set up, the kind of still and its capacity, the owner thereof, his place of residence, and the purpose for which said still or distilling apparatus has been or is intended to be used ( except that stills or distilling apparatus not used or intended to be used for the distillation, redistillation, or recovery of distilled spirits are not required to be registered under this section ).” Note the exception: “stills or distilling apparatus not used or intended to be used for the distillation, redistillation, or recovery of distilled spirits are not required to be registered under this section.” Additionally, and somewhat redundantly, a still is not considered “set up” until it meets this definition, as noted in part 29 of title 27 in the US Code of Federal Regulations: “(b) When still is set up.

Can moonshine be over 100 percent alcohol?

Moonshine Alcohol Percentage | Moonshine Proof – 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.

Is it legal to make moonshine in Virginia for personal use?

§ 4.1-314, Keeping, possessing, or storing still or distilling apparatus without a permit; penalty. – No person shall keep, store, or have in his possession any still or distilling apparatus for the purpose of distilling alcohol without a permit from the Board.

Section

How much moonshine is ok?

Download Article Download Article Moonshine is a tasty whiskey drink that was first brewed during the prohibition era in the United States. Now, you can buy moonshine at most liquor stores in a variety of different flavors, and some people still make their own at home.

1. 1 Combine moonshine and cola for a classic drink. Since moonshine is a form of whiskey, you can easily make one of the most popular and tasty alcoholic beverages. Add your preferred amount of ice to a tall glass. Then, pour 2 shots of moonshine and 12 oz (335 mL) of cola over the ice for a cool drink.
   • Some moonshines have a cola taste to them due to the flavor of distilled corn, so this can make for an even sweeter drink.
2. 2 Mix a can of light beer with a shot of moonshine for a boozy cocktail. Add 1 shot of moonshine into the bottom of a glass. Then, choose a lager or a light ale, and pour 12 oz (350 ML) of the beer into the glass. You can add ice for a cooler drink, or enjoy it without ice. Tip: Combine a lemon- or blueberry-flavored moonshine with any light beer for an extra refreshing, fizzy drink in the summer. Advertisement
3. 3 Add ginger ale to moonshine to take some of the bitterness out of the alcohol. Put a shot of any flavor of moonshine into a highball glass with ice. Then, pour 12 oz (335 mL) of ginger ale into the glass over the ice. Taste the drink to see if it’s acceptable, and add more ginger ale until you reach a suitable taste.
   • You should always use non-alcoholic ginger ale, rather than a ginger beer, if you want to make a weaker drink. The alcohol in ginger beer can actually make the moonshine taste stronger.
4. 4 Make Tennessee-style iced tea with moonshine, iced tea, and lemonade. Mix together equal parts iced tea and lemonade to make an Arnold Palmer. Then, combine that with 1 part moonshine in a glass filled with ice. Be sure to stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure that it’s evenly combined.
   • You can also add 2-3 mint leaves and a wedge of lemon as a garnish for this refreshing beverage.

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1. 1 Drink water after you drink moonshine to stay hydrated. Alcohol can make your body dehydrated, especially high-proof alcohol like moonshine. Drink water in between every alcoholic beverage, even if you drink whiskey often. When you finish your moonshine drink, have a full glass of water before having another.
   • You can drink flavored water, like coconut water or a flavored sports drink, if you don’t like the taste of plain water.

   Did You Know? In Thailand, traditional herbal moonshine is known as “ya dong.” Shots of ya dong are served with a small glass of water, a piece of fruit, and a few pickled olives.

2. 2 Chase moonshine with a drink of pickle juice to relieve the burning. The alcohol taste of straight moonshine can leave your throat burning after just a small drink. Keep a glass of pickle juice nearby to counteract the burning by taking a drink of the juice after each drink of moonshine.
   • This can be especially helpful if you never drink whiskey since the saltiness of the pickle juice neutralizes the burn of the alcohol.
   • You can use any kind of pickle juice or brine that you have available.
3. 3 Pour smaller drinks to avoid a nasty hangover. Depending on what kind of moonshine you’re drinking, it may contain trace amounts of chemicals that can be harmful if ingested in large quantities. Even in small quantities, they can cause terrible headaches and discomfort. To prevent this, make “half shots” of moonshine, or only take small sips from your glass to pace yourself.
   • Keep in mind that illegally-distilled moonshine can contain very large amounts of methanol, which can cause blindness or even death if ingested.

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• Question Can you drink moonshine straight? This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer
• Question Do you drink moonshine warm or cold? This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer. Either way—it depends on your preference and the type of drink. For example, you might drink straight moonshine at room temperature. Or, warm up some apple pie moonshine for a toasty, comforting drink on a cold fall or winter night. You can also drink it as a chilled cocktail with ginger ale or iced tea.
• Question Do you have to refrigerate moonshine? This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer

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It’s easy to get drunk on moonshine quickly, since it’s so strong. Try to limit yourself to 1 drink per hour if you’re drinking moonshine.

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Never drink moonshine from an uncertified distiller, since you can’t be sure what is in the alcohol.

Advertisement Article Summary X Moonshine is a whiskey drink that you can either drink straight with a chaser or make a mixed drink out of. If you want to drink it straight with a chaser, drink pickle juice after your shot of moonshine to relieve the burning sensation.

Can you have 200 proof moonshine?

Is there 200 Proof Moonshine? – Contrary to what other people think, 200 proof moonshine exists. It’s probably the STRONGEST concentration, the HIGHEST PROOF of moonshine, and the HIGHEST PERCENTAGE of alcohol you’ll find out there. Though it doesn’t take the usual distilling process and simple tools to make this one.

Instead, there’s a lot of complexities that go on to get this really strong drink. Would you dare drink a 200 proof moonshine? You’d probably say yes if you’re a daredevil. Drinking 200 proof moonshine is NOT OKAY. You’re practically drinking ethyl alcohol. Remember, 200 proof moonshine has 100% alcohol content contained on it.

Drinking it pure would seriously burn your throat, That being said, be careful with moonshines that have 150 plus final alcohol content. On average, 100 to 120 proof is pretty much the level people can comfortably drink their moonshine. Any more than that? That’s something else.

Is Moonshiners fake?

Whether you happened upon this phenomenon randomly while channel surfing or you’ve been a long-time fan of Discovery Channel’s hit TV show “Moonshiners”, you may have pondered at some point: Is this real life? The short answer is: No, it’s television.

• This is not reality.
• But here’s the question you should be asking: Is any of it real? When shows like “The Real World”, “Survivor”, “Fear Factor” and “American Idol” debuted generations ago, the concept of reality TV was groundbreaking.
• Now, with hundreds if not thousands of reality shows coming and going in the intervening years, viewers are savvier.

Our expectations have changed. Do we still think that everyone who brings an exotic item into Rick’s pawn shop just walked in off the street? Have we ever found it odd that every time the “American Pickers” arrive at someone’s house, even on “surprise” visits, the homeowner is all mic’d up? Do we think if the cast of the Discovery Network show “Moonshiners” had really been thumbing their nose at the revenuers for twelve seasons, somebody, somewhere wouldn’t have gotten busted?

Can you make moonshine for personal use in Georgia?

1/1/2015 last updated

In the state of Georgia it is legal to own a still as long as the still is not used to distill spirits or to manufacture moonshine. A still can be owned and operated to distill water, essential oils, vinegar, etc. As long as the end product is not ethanol.

• (a) (1) Malt beverages may be produced by a person in his or her private residence subject to the limitations provided in this Code section.
• (2) The total quantity of malt beverages that may be produced in any private residence shall be as follows:
• (A) Not more than 100 gallons per calendar year if there is only one person of legal drinking age living in such residence; or
• (B) Not more than 200 gallons per calendar year if there are two or more persons of legal drinking age living in such residence;
• provided, however, that no more than 50 gallons shall be produced in a 90 day period.

Manufacturing wine for personal household use: Code §3-6-3 (a) A head of a household may produce 200 gallons of wine in any one calendar year to be consumed within his own household without any requirement to be licensed for such purpose. Wine so produced shall not be subject to any excise tax imposed by this chapter.

To manufacture ethanol fuel you are required to submit copies of your Federal permits to the state authorities as well as obtain non-beverage alcohol manufacturer’s license and a motor fuel distributor’s fuel license regardless of if you plan to resell the fuel. Georgia requires a license to produce and or to resell ethanol spirits.

The fee is $1,100 for the license and investigation fee. Luckly Georgia has much of the information on their website about applying for licenses and the requirements. The process and licenses can be viewed here, The requirements listed are:

1. ATT-104/ COLA & Labels
2. ATT-17 Personnel Statement
3. State Financial Affidavit
4. Liquor Manufacturer/Distillery Bond
5. Copy of Federal Basic Permit
6. Copy of Local License (In state)
7. Property Lease or Deed
8. Power of Attorney (If Applicable)
9. O.C.G.A 50-3-1 (e)(2) – Citizenship Affidavit
10. Secure and Verifiable Documents

Georgia has information on obtaining a license to commercially produce spirits for resale here, Georgia alcohol licensing website 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,2006 Georgia Code – 3-3-27 Any person who violates the provisions of: (1) Paragraph (1) of subsection (a) (Distill, manufacture, or make any distilled spirits) of this Code section shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than five years; Along with a unlisted fine and jail time the still, spirits and distilling equipment will be seized.

Any apparatus, article, or other tangible personal property used in the unlawful distillation, manufacture, or making of any alcoholic beverages is declared contraband and shall be destroyed by the officers or agents seizing the property or otherwise disposed of as the commissioner directs”.

How much moonshine can I make legally in Tennessee?

You can manufacture up to 2,500 gallons for a cost of $100.

Is making moonshine illegal in Canada?

Producing and packaging spirits – 6. Under subsection 60(1), a person is prohibited from producing or packaging spirits unless they have a spirits licence. Unlike the production of wine and beer for personal use, there is no exemption for a person to produce spirits for personal use.7.

1. packaging spirits from a marked special container by an individual (that is, a purchaser) at an authorized bottle-your-own premises
2. producing spirits for the purpose of analyzing the composition of a product containing absolute ethyl alcohol or as a consequence of such analysis

8. Under subsections 14(2) and 14(3), a person is not entitled to a spirits licence solely because they are deemed to have done one of the following:

• packaged spirits by marking a special container
• produced spirits by blending spirits with wine
• produced spirits by blending a material or substance, other than spirits or wine, that contains absolute ethyl alcohol with wine or spirits
• produced spirits for the purpose of or as a consequence of the analysis of the composition of the substance containing absolute ethyl alcohol

9. A marked special container, in respect of spirits, is a container of a capacity greater than 100 litres but not more than 1,500 litres that has been marked in the prescribed form and manner to indicate that it is intended for delivery to and use by a registered user or at bottle-your-own premises.10.

• the name and address of the spirits licensee that packaged the spirits
• their licence number

12. For more information on the requirements for information to be displayed on containers of spirits, refer to Excise Duty Memorandum EDM3-2-3, Labelling of Containers of Spirits.