4. America’s first legal moonshine distillery was launched in 2005. – Piedmont Distillers, located in Madison, North Carolina, holds the title of being the first legal moonshine operation in the United States and their state’s first legal distillery since Prohibition.
- In addition to being a part of moonshine’s history itself, Piedmont’s entire business celebrates the unique story of moonshine.
- Using recipes passed down from legendary moonshiner and NASCAR hall of famer Junior Johnson, their Midnight Moon moonshine is tripled distilled (remember those three Xs?) and special batches are infused with real fruit — from watermelon and strawberry to raspberry and peach.
Since 2005, more legal moonshine operations have popped up around the US, including the likes of Sugarlands (TN) and Call Family Distillers, which is also based in North Carolina.
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What is the history of moonshine in the US?
Moonshine’s Not Just a Southern Thing – Courtesy Zenith Press While moonshine is deeply rooted in Southern culture and heritage, its origins, in fact, can be traced to Pennsylvania. Farmer-distillers in the western part of the state protested when the federal government passed the distilled-spirits tax in 1791.
- They tarred and feathered tax collectors and fired upon their homes.
- These actions sparked the Whiskey Rebellion and nearly set off America’s first civil war.
- Moonshine production later took hold in big cities.
- In Brooklyn, the waterfront neighborhood known today as Vinegar Hill was a hotbed of illegal whiskey making.
In 1869, law enforcement went hard and fast against the Irish immigrants who’d set up hidden distilleries there and refused to pay government taxes on their product. In a predawn raid they hacked up stills, confiscated whiskey, and hauled it back to the nearby Brooklyn Navy Yard.
- Of course, this didn’t stop people from making booze.
- By the early 1900s, more moonshine was produced in New York City than in all the South combined.
- During Prohibition, a one-day sweep in Chicago, in June, 1925, resulted in 50 raids, 320 arrests, and 10,000 gallons of seized liquor.
- According to the Chicago Daily Tribune, the Genna crime family had brought laborers over from Italy “to distill moonshine.” Meanwhile, Prohibition agents in Los Angeles found inside a five-room ranch house a 250-gallon still and 800 gallons of mash, the soupy, fermented grain that’s used to make the liquor.
A story in the New York Times reported moonshine being made in San Francisco, Oregon, and Washington State.
Why is distilling illegal in the USA?
Is Moonshine Really Dangerous? – Although the prohibition on home distillation seems like a hindrance at a time when craft booze is booming, federal governments say that that is designed to protect the consumers. The government argues that the home distilling process is unsafe because of the potential to be contaminated with harmful heavy metal substances.
These risks also include contaminating the product with methanol, which is said to cause blindness. Moreover, there’s the risk of the stills exploding. While it is easy to buy the equipment necessary to make moonshines, TBB agents often carry out crackdowns on moonshiners in possession of unregistered stills.
Suppliers often sell moonshine stills to beginners who are interested in making essential oils, perfumes or distilled water, which is perfectly within the law. See our blog and click here to get more information on apple pie moonshine recipes and other distilling relate information.
What’s the difference between corn liquor and moonshine?
Corn whiskey – Wikipedia American liquor made from corn Corn whiskey A bottle of Georgia Moon corn whiskey, sold in the form of a Type Country of origin United States At least 40%At least 80°ColourClear or brownIngredientsRelated products,,,, Corn whiskey is an American made principally from, Distinct from the American, in which is normally added to the, corn whiskey uses a traditional mash process, and is subject to the tax and identity laws for alcohol under federal law.
Is moonshine legal in California?
California Requirements – Personal use and ownership of a still is illegal under California law. Rather, in conjunction with registering on the federal level, an owner of a still must also acquire an appropriate business license for the use of the still.
- This is the case in almost all of the states.
- Specifically, in California, you are required to obtain a license from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for mere possession of the still.
- But that license will only be issued in conjunction with acquiring an appropriate license for the use of the still – either a Distilled Spirits Manufacturer, Distilled Spirits Manufacturer Agent, or a Craft Distiller license.
Those licenses are all separate and distinct, and cannot be held all by a single person or entity:
- Distilled Spirits Manufacturer – License Type 4. This is the original distilling license. The functions of this type of license, in addition to that of unlimited production, include packaging, bottling, rectifying, flavoring, of their own-produced or other distilled spirits. It does not include the production, packaging, bottling, rectifying, or flavoring of beer or wine. On-site tastings are permitted – of both that which was distilled by the licensee or others.
- Distilled Spirits Manufacturer Agent – License Type 5. It permits the license holder to possess and export distilled spirits, as well as package, sell, or deliver distilled spirits to other manufacturers. rectifiers, or wholesalers of distilled spirts. It also permits the license holder to participate in the cutting, blending, mixing, flavoring, or coloring process of distilled spirits.
- Craft Distiller – License Type 74. It permits a license holder to produce up to 100,000 gallons of distilled spirits annually. It also allows distilleries to sell up to three 750-ml bottles per customer per day on site and to open an on-site bar or restaurant and have tastings where they can make cocktails and mixed drinks. However, they are limited to only using the distilled spirits that they produced.
The original application fee and annual fee thereafter are the same for each license type.
Why is moonshine illegal in Texas?
Moonshine: Is It Illegal in Texas? – Yes, moonshine is illegal to distill in Texas because it is an untaxed liquor. Moonshine is the term for unlicensed distillation of high-proof liquor or simply illegal whiskey. Although the term spread widely during the Prohibition Era (1920-1933), its Texas roots produced illegally distilled spirits by early pioneers long before the 20th century.
- Recently, the Texas Liquor Control Board categorized the moonshine problem in Texas as moderate because there is not much illegal liquor left there.
- Law enforcement agents only found two to four operators in Northeastern Texas despite being the traditional moonshine mecca,
- Some bootleggers were still in East Texas, where they carried on the tradition of moonshining.
Also Read: Does Moonshine Go Bad?
Can I 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 Moonshining legal in California?
California Requirements – Personal use and ownership of a still is illegal under California law. Rather, in conjunction with registering on the federal level, an owner of a still must also acquire an appropriate business license for the use of the still.
- This is the case in almost all of the states.
- Specifically, in California, you are required to obtain a license from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for mere possession of the still.
- But that license will only be issued in conjunction with acquiring an appropriate license for the use of the still – either a Distilled Spirits Manufacturer, Distilled Spirits Manufacturer Agent, or a Craft Distiller license.
Those licenses are all separate and distinct, and cannot be held all by a single person or entity:
- Distilled Spirits Manufacturer – License Type 4. This is the original distilling license. The functions of this type of license, in addition to that of unlimited production, include packaging, bottling, rectifying, flavoring, of their own-produced or other distilled spirits. It does not include the production, packaging, bottling, rectifying, or flavoring of beer or wine. On-site tastings are permitted – of both that which was distilled by the licensee or others.
- Distilled Spirits Manufacturer Agent – License Type 5. It permits the license holder to possess and export distilled spirits, as well as package, sell, or deliver distilled spirits to other manufacturers. rectifiers, or wholesalers of distilled spirts. It also permits the license holder to participate in the cutting, blending, mixing, flavoring, or coloring process of distilled spirits.
- Craft Distiller – License Type 74. It permits a license holder to produce up to 100,000 gallons of distilled spirits annually. It also allows distilleries to sell up to three 750-ml bottles per customer per day on site and to open an on-site bar or restaurant and have tastings where they can make cocktails and mixed drinks. However, they are limited to only using the distilled spirits that they produced.
The original application fee and annual fee thereafter are the same for each license type.
Is Moonshining still illegal in Tennessee?
How Whisky is made – 3D animation about the production of Whisky (remake 2020)
1/1/2015 last updated
It is illegal to own a still for the purpose of distilling moonshine in the state of Tennessee. The law is specific about the use for manufacturing ethanol, but not about owning a still, or using a still for distilling water, essential oils, etc. Because it is specific to only alcohol manufacturing it should be legal to own a still as long as it is not use to manufacture alcohol.39-17-707.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to have possession or control of any still or other apparatus, or part of any still or other apparatus, used or intended to be used for the purpose of manufacturing intoxicating liquor as prohibited by law. (b) A violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor.
Tennessee does offer a fuel alcohol license. It does not seem to require a distiller’s license and does not cost anything for fewer than 1,000 gallons. You can manufacture up to 2,500 gallons for a cost of $100. Tennessee application and permit for production of fuel alcohol a Tennessee distillers license costs $1,000 per year and a $300 application fee.
No micro distillery license seems to be available. Forms can be found here 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,39-17-707.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to have possession or control of any still or other apparatus, or part of any still or other apparatus, used or intended to be used for the purpose of manufacturing intoxicating liquor as prohibited by law. (b) A violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor.
39-17-706. Manufacture of alcoholic beverages
(a) It is unlawful for any person, company, or other entity to manufacture intoxicating beverages unless authorized by law to do so; provided, that this section shall not be construed to prohibit the manufacture of alcohol for use as a fuel to power motor-driven vehicles and machinery or for heating purposes or of not less than one hundred eighty-eight (188) proof for chemical, pharmaceutical, medical, and bacteriological purposes. (b) A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
Current federal laws allow citizens the right to own a still and operate it for non-alcohol production. This means legally you can: