Where is Moonshine Legal? – Even though there is a federal law against moonshine, there are several states that still allow it. it. In Alaska, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Missouri, you can produce moonshine for personal consumption only. Arizona requires a permit to produce your own moonshine.
- Massachusetts mandates that moonshine is consumed on your own property only.
- Any transporting will be seen as an attempt to sell, which will result in steep fines.
- Missouri puts a 200 gallon per year on the amount of moonshine that can be produced.
- North Dakota has an interesting law regarding the production and consumption of moonshine.
State law makes it legal to produce personal-use moonshine with one limitation; people can only produce up to the federally allowed number of gallons. Since the federal law bans moonshine production, this means people could produce zero gallons.
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Can you buy moonshine 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.
What states drink moonshine?
Where is Moonshine Legal? – Even though there is a federal law against moonshine, there are several states that still allow it. it. In Alaska, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Missouri, you can produce moonshine for personal consumption only. Arizona requires a permit to produce your own moonshine.
- Massachusetts mandates that moonshine is consumed on your own property only.
- Any transporting will be seen as an attempt to sell, which will result in steep fines.
- Missouri puts a 200 gallon per year on the amount of moonshine that can be produced.
- North Dakota has an interesting law regarding the production and consumption of moonshine.
State law makes it legal to produce personal-use moonshine with one limitation; people can only produce up to the federally allowed number of gallons. Since the federal law bans moonshine production, this means people could produce zero gallons.
Is moonshine legal 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:
- ATT-104/ COLA & Labels
- ATT-17 Personnel Statement
- State Financial Affidavit
- Liquor Manufacturer/Distillery Bond
- Copy of Federal Basic Permit
- Copy of Local License (In state)
- Property Lease or Deed
- Power of Attorney (If Applicable)
- O.C.G.A 50-3-1 (e)(2) – Citizenship Affidavit
- 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”.
Is 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- A person, whether or not a licensee, who violates section 901(4) is subject to the following penalties or sanctions:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
Can you make moonshine legally in Arizona?
1/1/2015 last updated
Owning a still and operating one is legal in Arizona if the still is registered. Also the production of spirits for personal and home use is legal if you have a permit. The selling of non-taxed moonshine is illegal. Non-license details Every person having in his possession or custody or under his control a still or distilling apparatus shall register it with the director under the rules the director may prescribe, and every still or distilling apparatus not so registered, together with all mash, wort or wash and which is found in the building or in any yard or enclosure connected with the building in which the unregistered still or distilling apparatus is located, shall be forfeited to the state.
Distilling home spirits for personal use Giving away your homemade liquor (beer, wine or distilled spirits) to family and friends who are age 21 or older does not require a license. Because operating a still in Arizona is legal if the still is licensed and the production of spirits for personal use is legal the production of fuel for personal use is also legal.
I was unable to find information specific to licenses for fuel production online. Along with licenses Arizona requires a bond In addition to an application and payment of taxes you will need to fill a bond, provide adequate equipment to measure spirits, present suitable tanks and pipelines, provide a separate building which is not a dwelling and maintain detailed records, and fill reports to obtain a permit for distilling ethanol from the state liquor authorities.
You can find more information on the rules and regulations on spirituous liquors, their production and sale through this link: 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,
- Owning a still and operating one is legal in Arizona if the still is registered.
- Also the production of spirits for personal and home use is legal if you have a permit.
- The selling of non-taxed moonshine is illegal.
- Current federal laws allow citizens the right to own a still and operate it for non-alcohol production.
This means legally you can: