Why Is Brewing Beer Legal And Moonshine Illegal?

Beer and moonshine are both alcohol that people can make at home, but only one of them is legal to make. You are not legally allowed to make moonshine at home, but brewing homemade beer is legal. So why is making moonshine illegal while beer is not? Making moonshine at home is illegal because the government can make more tax revenue by regulating it compared to beer.

What’s the difference between homebrew and moonshine?

9: Alcohol Content – While homemade beer or wine tops at about 5 to 15 percent alcohol by volume, moonshine can reach more than 80 percent alcohol by volume, That’s an enormous kick. Regardless of what you’re brewing, you determine the alcohol level with a hydrometer,

This gadget gauges alcohol content through a series of readings taken during production. It measures the difference in density between pure water and water heavy with yeast converting sugar to alcohol. It’s most often used in homebrewing but can be used to monitor distillation, too, However, experienced moonshiners may simply give a jar of moonshine the shake test, gauging the density by the size of the bubbles and how fast they pop.

The larger the bubbles and the faster they pop, the higher the alcohol content,

Why is moonshine illegal Canada?

Can I Get Arrested for Making My Own Moonshine ? – Found this on Reddit which is pretty interesting : “I spoke to a friend that’s an officer regarding distilling, and he recommended that I call my local department. He assured me that I wouldn’t be hauled away in cuffs for asking.

I’ve already built my still, but I was curious to know what legal risks I was actually taking. I left a message for the constable (on my cellphone) and he called me back a few days later. I told him that I was homebrewing and was interested in distilling. I would be making small batches for personal consumption (typically a liter or two at a time).

His answer surprised me a little. Distilling without a license is illegal under the federal Excise Act- which is typically not enforced at a provincial level. The Excise Act is tax law, and the goal of it is to limit people cheating on their taxes. He is not aware of anyone that has ever been charged for distilling alcohol for small amounts of personal consumption, however he wanted me to be aware that it was quite possible.

I asked him, realistically, if someone filed a complaint with the police department, would it be investigated He said “likely not”, unless it was being sold, produced in large quantities, provided to a minor, or if injury occurred from producing/consuming it. He recommended that I do not distill alcohol because it is technically illegal, but above all, don’t be a dumbass.

Be safe and responsible. Just thought I’d share with my fellow Canucks.” From what I’ve been able to gather from the online community is that if you distill at home for personal consumption not much will come of it as long as you don’t sell it! To support this theory I tried to dig up some cases in Canada where people were either charged or arrested for making moonshine. Mounties executed a search warrant Wednesday on a home in the 12500-block of 70th Avenue and located five large barrels containing about 200 gallons of “moonshine” in various stages of fermentation. The homemade booze was found in a trailer at the rear of the property.

Is moonshine considered beer?

Moonshine is high-proof liquor, generally whiskey, traditionally made, or at least distributed, illegally.

Is vodka just moonshine?

Physically speaking, there is no real difference between vodka and moonshine. Both are unaged neutral spirits, usually cut with water to increase volume and produce a more drinkable product. The difference is mostly geographic.

Is making moonshine illegal in Australia?

It is NOT illegal to distil alcohol in Australia. Distilling is like driving, it’s perfectly legal so long as you have a license.

Is moonshine illegal in Scotland?

Looking for places? Use our place search to find them by name, town or postcode. After several months cataloguing the collection of the Angus Folk Museum, we have been impressed by the sheer variety of objects that the collection boasts – so much so that it’s been difficult to pick just one object or theme for this article. It appears to be a copper still pot with a cylindrical body, a double-handled rim in the middle, and a bulbous section at the top leading to a curved tapered cylindrical spout. It is 47cm tall and 45cm wide and with it is a metal spiral cylindrical tube, known as a worm. According to the original museum description, the still came from ‘Cortachy Airlie’. Cortachy is a small settlement at the mouth of Glen Clova in the Angus glens and Cortachy Castle is the seat of the Earl of Airlie. The collection also contains the upper section of another still which came from Little Forter, a small settlement in Glen Isla. Whisky had become more popular across society by the second half of the 18th century – industrialisation had led to wage increases and spirits were relatively cheap. To try and regulate the growing market, the government introduced Acts in the 1780s to encourage licensing of distilleries.

• Unlicensed private distillation in small stills, which had existed in Scotland for centuries, was effectively declared illegal.
• The income Highland tenants generated from their unlicensed stills was essential to paying their rent.
• Many landlords and local judges were in receipt of their whisky and the illicit trade flourished in secluded parts of Highland glens.

The north-east counties were particularly prominent in the trade due to the proximity of fertile grain-producing farmland. In these remote areas, crofters were more likely to evade the excisemen tasked to enforce the law. Derek Alexander, Head of Archaeological Services at the Trust, has written an article on one such site at Ben Lomond,

To tackle the problem of illicit distillation, the 1823 Excise Act reduced duty by over 50%, effectively ending the advantage of illicit distillers over their licensed rivals. The 1845 Statistical Account of Scotland for Glenisla explains: ‘The reduction of the duty of ardent spirits, whatever bad consequences may have resulted from it elsewhere, has been productive of the best effects here, both in respect of the morals and industry of the population.

By putting an end to illicit distillation, it has been the means of directing the efforts of the people towards extensive agricultural improvements.’ Up until the 20th century there were five licensed distilleries in Angus: Glencoull near Tannadice, Lochside and Hillside/Glenesk in Montrose, and North Port and Glencadam in Brechin.

• Only Glencadam has survived.
• These important objects show that the spirit runs deep in the history of Angus.
• Project Reveal is a Trust-wide collections digitisation project.
• It will result in an updated database with high-quality images and unique object numbers for every item in the Trust material culture collections.

Six regionally based project teams, supported by experienced project managers, will work across all of our properties with collections to complete the inventory in 18 months from July 2017 till December 2018.

What’s worse than moonshine?

Top 10 Strongest Alcohol in the World – While the dangers of alcohol abuse are well-known, statistics show that alcohol consumption continues to rise. As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10,000 people die every year due to drunk driving accidents in the U.S.

As we mentioned, no alcoholic beverage is considered to be safe, but drinks like beer, hard ciders, and wine tend to be lower in alcohol content, and intoxication is therefore considered to be easier to avoid. In contrast, there are plenty of strong alcoholic beverages that contain high levels of alcohol and can cause severe impairment in small amounts.

The world’s most dangerous alcoholic drinks include Absinthe, Bacardi 151, Changaa, Everclear, Death in the Afternoon, Four Lokos, Jungle Juice, Knockeen Hills, Moonshine, and Spirytus Rektyfikowany. Absinthe Commonly referred to as the “green fairy,” absinthe was banned in the U.S.

1. From 1915 to 2007.
2. Absinthe got its nickname from the hallucinations and other perception-impairing side effects it produces.
3. Trace amounts of the chemical thujone were thought to be responsible for absinthe hallucinations, during which users reported seeing a small green fairy, hence the nickname.
4. However, with further research, the appearance of the green fairy was discovered to be exaggerated, although the disruption in users’ perception was very real.

Absinthe is typically produced as a 90 to 146-proof liquor, while 12 ounces of beer contains about 10 proof or 5 percent of alcohol, and 5 ounces of wine contains 24 proof or 12 percent of alcohol. As you can see, absinthe contains significantly higher concentrations of alcohol than the average drink.

1. Bacardi 151 Bacardi 151 was a highly alcoholic rum that was discontinued in 2016.
2. It was named after its alcohol content – a level of 151 proof, or 75.5 percent of alcohol by volume.
3. Typical rum usually contains around 35% to 40% of alcohol by volume, which, although high, is significantly lower than Bacardi 151’s alcohol percentage.

Not only did this high concentration make this drink stronger, but it also made it more flammable. As a result, Bacardi 151 was often used in drinking involving fire, such as “flaming shots.” The drink’s flammability was so high that Bacardi 151 bottles came with warning labels advising against using the drink for any fire-related drinks.

1. Despite the warning label, Bacardi 151 was banned for its high alcohol content and flammability.
2. Changaa Changaa, or Chang’aa, is an alcoholic drink that comes from Kenya and translates to “kill me quick.” This is a popular and traditional home-brewed spirit in Kenya.
3. This drink is extremely potent and made by fermenting and distilling the grains millet, maize, and sorghum.

Changaa was illegal for many years in Kenya until the ban was lifted in 2010. The alcohol content of Changaa ranges from 28.3% to 56.7% of alcohol per volume. Also known as the “poison brew,” Changaa is known for producing adverse side effects like blindness, intoxication, and more.

It’s also been linked to numerous deaths in Kenya. This is due in part to the fact that Changaa is sometimes mixed with other toxic substances like jet fuel and battery acid. The water used to make Changaa is also often full of bacteria, dirt, and other harmful toxins, even in breweries. Everclear Everclean is a grain alcohol that’s usually sold in 190 proof, double the alcohol content of most liquors, which usually sit at 80 proof or contain 40% of alcohol.

Due to the adverse effects linked to Everclear’s high alcohol content, some U.S. states have prohibited the sale of 190-proof liquor, including California, Florida, Washington, North Carolina, Maine, New York, Nevada, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, New Hampshire, and Minnesota.

In response, Luxco, the manufacturer of Everclear, began to distribute 189 proof Everclear to bypass these laws. Additionally, because this drink is undiluted and contains 92.4% pure ethanol (alcohol), it’s also used as a household cleaner and disinfectant. To give you an even better idea of why Everclear made it to the list of hardest alcohols, a cocktail containing one or two shots of the drink would be enough for a person to reach extreme intoxication.

Death in the Afternoon The name speaks for itself. Also called “The Hemingway,” Death in the Afternoon was created by well-known writer Ernest Hemingway. While the book of the same name is celebrated for its description of bullfighting, the drink is a whole other subject.

• The drink, Death in the Afternoon, is a dangerous cocktail created by Hemingway that’s made of absinthe and champagne.
• This drink first appeared in So Red the Nose or – Breath in the Afternoon, a 1935 book of cocktail recipes from 30 famous authors.
• Considering that absinthe was especially popular in Europe, it’s understandable why it’s believed that Hemingway invented the drink after he tried absinthe in Paris.

It’s also important to know that Hemingway was a prolific drinker and, considering his written advice about drinking four to five Death in The Afternoon’s slowly in one day, we can safely say that this is a not-so-safe drinking habit. Four Lokos A Four Loko is a malt beverage and the most accessible among these strong alcoholic drinks.

1. Usually found at gas stations or convenience stores, Four Lokos were temporarily banned in several U.S.
2. States when it was first released due to the combination of alcohol and caffeine it contained.
3. At the time, many argued that marketing for this drink was deceitful in its appearance and made younger populations believe it was an energy drink.

In response, the company removed caffeine from Four Loko’s ingredients in 2010. One Four Loko contains the equivalent of six standard servings of alcohol. The University Health Services Director at Harvard University urged the public to be especially cautious about this particular drink.

Jungle Juice Jungle Juice is more of an idea rather than a legitimate recipe. A common jungle juice recipe is to mix various liquors with fruit juice like Hawaiian Punch. Jungle Juice is generally a beverage that’s high in sugar as well as alcohol, which can have various harmful side effects. In addition to alcohol’s adverse effects, consuming high amounts of sugar can also cause problems like high blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, fatty liver disease, diabetes, and more.

The intense sweetness of Jungle Juice can also mask the high level of alcohol in the drink, which can enable consumers to drink more alcohol than is safe, which could result in alcohol poisoning, Knockeen Hills Knockeen Hills is next on our list of most dangerous alcohol drinks.

This one is an Irish spirit that’s called poitín, which contains 40 to 90% ABV. Former common names for poitín were Irish Moonshine and Mountain Dew. Eventually, Knockeen Hills, a family-owned business, created a similar spirit in 1996. Interestingly, like moonshine in the U.S., poitín was made illegally for years.

The drink was even banned as early as the 1660s due to its high concentration level. Moonshine Speaking of moonshine, it’s one of the most well-known and dangerous alcoholic drinks on our list. The name of this drink is derived from the time of day it’s commonly produced to avoid legal detection: nighttime.

1. Although states have lifted moonshine bans throughout the years, it’s still illegal to brew this liquor within a personal residence.
2. Although strictly controlled and containing less alcohol than Prohibition-era moonshine (63 proof to 190 alcohol proof), moonshine today contains 60 to 120 proof, which is still a lot of alcohol.

Additionally, while it’s strictly controlled in the U.S., commercial moonshine still has a high alcohol concentration, and illicitly manufactured moonshine is still prevalent and remains very dangerous as the alcohol content, as well as production, are not strictly monitored.

What is homebrew moonshine?

What Really Is Moonshine? – Moonshine is a distilled alcohol made from any grain or fruit, depending on what is accessible to you. The classic uses corn as the fermentable sugar. While you can always use some other alcohol like Everclear from your drinks, where’s the fun in that?

What makes moonshine different?

How is Moonshine Made? – The traditional ingredients for moonshine are corn and sugar, and during fermentation, the sugar produces ethanol, which makes hooch or moonshine. During distillation, alcohol separates from the mash. Unlike other liquors such as whiskey or bourbon, moonshine is unaged, which produces a distilled spirit with high alcohol content.

• The stereotype of moonshiners centers around how “country folk” distill and transport their potables in jugs marked “XXX” during the night to avoid being detected.
• But having access to commercially produced all-copper moonshine stills on the internet has made moonshine distillation less risky in the modern era.

But for a great drink, here is the recipe:

Is moonshine drink safe?

Methanol Risks – While the flammability of the moonshine distillation process is dangerous in and of itself, the health effects of moonshine-methanol consumption pose an even bigger threat. More people have died from drinking moonshine than by any explosions at stills, despite the few old and handmade stills that are left.

A major risk of drinking moonshine is methanol blindness. Detecting methanol upon the first step is impossible, and consuming more of it will simply get the person drunker. However, it’s eventually metabolized as its toxic metabolite, formic acid, in the body, which can have an extremely harmful effect.

Just 10 milliliters (ml) of methanol is all it takes to cause permanent optic and partial nerve damage, if not complete blindness. As little as 30 ml of methanol is lethal, and, for reference, a standard shot glass in the U.S. holds 40 ml. Old stills use car radiators during the distilling process, which often contain lead soldering and remnants of antifreeze glycol products that could contaminate and add toxins to the moonshine.

Larger batches of moonshine are more likely to contain methanol. Because methanol is vaporized or evaporated at a lower temperature than alcohol, the first liquid produced by the distillation process usually contains methanol. While moonshiners have adopted new ways to discard methanol, some moonshiners will actually add it back into the batch to make the drink more potent.

However, because these processes aren’t regulated, there’s no way of knowing whether the illicit alcohol actually contains any methanol.

How is moonshine different?

Moonshine – Put simply, moonshine is untaxed whiskey – although that’s no longer the case. Making moonshine started early in American history when the new US government imposed a tax on whiskey and spirits to help cover the American Revolution’s expenses.

• Because of the rich heritage of moonshine recipes, many distillers opt to maintain the moniker ‘moonshine’ even though moonshine is legal and is taxed.
• Moonshiners in the past didn’t have an absolute definition for what constituted moonshine.
• Moonshiners across the country employed various ingredients, including corn, rye, and sugar.

Moonshine has a flavor that is more like vodka than a dark-colored whiskey. This is because historically, moonshine is seldom matured, and obtaining and keeping oak barrels for maturing secretly would’ve been extremely difficult. However, because there weren’t any legal criteria, the flavor varied.