Moonshine

[uspsmark]

Not that I'm an "expert" by any means, but I live in the Applachian Mountains where large amounts of corn are stored in plastic jugs and Mason jars and I have sampled more than my fair share. Depending on the size of the still and the ingriedients utilized, "moonshine" will have a proof rating of 140 to 190 when it is distilled. Nobody that I know ever drinks it at that strength. It is almost always cut to around 100 proof. Take a swig of Everclear or other 190 proof grain alcohol and you will understand why. That being said, there are wide swings of "taste" also depending on how the stuff is made (ingredients, type of heat, water used, etc.). By the way, almost all illegal liquor makers today use propane to heat since it is much cleaner, easier to regulate temperature, and doesn't produce the telltale smoke that gives away a still's position during the day. I have some great "apple pie" recipes that utilize grain alcohol or moonshine as the alcohol base. If anyone is interested I can post a few or send you a private message. I've become slightly famous or infamous depending on how you look at it for my liquid apple pie.

[Roguish Lawyer]

Originally Posted by uspsmark

Not that I'm an "expert" by any means, but I live in the Applachian Mountains where large amounts of corn are stored in plastic jugs and Mason jars and I have sampled more than my fair share. Depending on the size of the still and the ingriedients utilized, "moonshine" will have a proof rating of 140 to 190 when it is distilled. Nobody that I know ever drinks it at that strength. It is almost always cut to around 100 proof. Take a swig of Everclear or other 190 proof grain alcohol and you will understand why. That being said, there are wide swings of "taste" also depending on how the stuff is made (ingredients, type of heat, water used, etc.). By the way, almost all illegal liquor makers today use propane to heat since it is much cleaner, easier to regulate temperature, and doesn't produce the telltale smoke that gives away a still's position during the day. I have some great "apple pie" recipes that utilize grain alcohol or moonshine as the alcohol base. If anyone is interested I can post a few or send you a private message. I've become slightly famous or infamous depending on how you look at it for my liquid apple pie.

Please post!

[echoes]

Originally Posted by powerT

Legal 'shine ain't 'shine, it's just white liquor. Most legal shines are made with gas heat not wood; which alters the flavor, and make it seem hotter and harsher.

Just one hillbilly's simple opinion.

And not good for your health amigos...not good at all!

Holly

[uspsmark]

This is a good one with simple instructions. I have made many iterations of this one and have numerous recipes on a thumb drive at home. I can post a few more later...

1 gallon of 100% apple juice (some people use apple cider, but I like mine to be clear and not cloudy, so stick with the apple juice the first time)

1 quart high test clear liquor of your choice (ie: moonshine, 190 proof grain alcohol, etc.)

8 ounces of peach brandy

6 cinnamon sticks

15 red hot candies

6 to 8 cloves (wrap in cheesecloth and tie off for easy removal later)

4 tablespoons of honey

Put apple juice, cinnamon sticks and cloves into a large stock pot. Bring to a low boil and then let simmer until at least an inch or two of liquid has evaporated (you can check this with a wooden spoon, just stand the spoon up in the pot and mark the line where the top of the liquid is then place back in the liquid to see how much has evaporated.) This will remove some of the water from the apple juice and condense the flavor.

Combine liquor, red hots and peach brandy in a separate container. The red hots will dissolve in the alcohol (you may need to stir or shake them up some to facilitate them dissolving)

Once the apple juice is reduced, remove from stove, add the honey, and then let cool down to room temperature. Remove the cinnamon sticks and the cloves in the cheesecloth bag and dispose of them. Add the liquor to the apple juice and stir gently.

Pour the mixture into quart canning jars (Mason/Ball jars) and let sit in the refrigerator for about two weeks to a month (if you can wait that long!)

[MtnGoat]

Originally Posted by bubba

Not in any state that I am aware of. Beer and wine is only allowed in certain states for small amounts for personal use only and distilled spirits are not allowed period.

This what I have been told... a resounding no you cannot who produced developed Etc. Any kind of hard liquor or spirits. I was looking at producing some building my own still or even buying a premade still and I was told I couldn't because the federal law. That most of the beer wine and distillery online stores will report you to the ATF or DEA if you buy a still. So I have never bought a full done still an eye question doing my own home brewing of hard liquor and still.

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

This brings back bad memories..... while living in North Carolina I sampled some moonshine, once. I'm just glad there was no open flames around when they opened the bottle.

While living in the old wooden barracks on SBH a guy brought some mason jars of White Lighting back from Mississippi. When he opened a jar, explosive fumes filled the barracks, luckily there were no open flames at that time either, or Smoke Bomb Hill would have been leveled!!:

Originally Posted by bubba

Not in any state that I am aware of. Beer and wine is only allowed in certain states for small amounts for personal use only and distilled spirits are not allowed period.

Alabama will be the only state to prohibit home brewing once Mississippi's new law goes into effect in July.

[The Reaper]

I have found that the legal brands were a lot more consistent than the homemade product.

Personally, I see no reason to pay a premium bourbon price for an illegal, uncharcoal filtered, unaged, possibly toxic product any more when I can buy it legally at the local ABC stores. It is still damn expensive, even there. Making it yourself for your own consumption would still be illegal, but makes a lot more sense than buying it off the street from some unknown.

I have heard that you can soak fruit, like cherries, in 'shine and it will cut the burn of the shine. This will cause certain people to overindulge and call them Satan's Balls while acting the fool, but that was just a rumor I seem to have heard.

TR

[Dusty]

Shine bring bad juju.

[echoes]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

I have found that the legal brands were a lot more consistent than the homemade product.

Personally, I see no reason to pay a premium bourbon price for an illegal, uncharcoal filtered, unaged, possibly toxic product any more when I can buy it legally at the local ABC stores. It is still damn expensive, even there. Making it yourself for your own consumption would still be illegal, but makes a lot more sense than buying it off the street from some unknown.

I have heard that you can soak fruit, like cherries, in 'shine and it will cut the burn of the shine. This will cause certain people to overindulge and call them Satan's Balls while acting the fool, but that was just a rumor I seem to have heard.

TR

TR Sir,

Yes, but there are many factors that need to be in place such as Temp and time etc...Generally speaking as a person who cooks alot....Numder one, make sure all of the EQ is sterile, and fresh! If utilizin older product, make sure that consumption will be quick andnot dated for any future use.

[Roguish Lawyer]

Bought a couple of jars of the Georgia Moon yesterday. It's only 80 proof. I had the wife put a sliced apple, a couple of cherries, a cinnamon stick and a whole nutmeg in one of them for me. Left the other as is. Will report.

[PedOncoDoc]

Originally Posted by uspsmark

This is a good one with simple instructions. I have made many iterations of this one and have numerous recipes on a thumb drive at home. I can post a few more later...

1 gallon of 100% apple juice (some people use apple cider, but I like mine to be clear and not cloudy, so stick with the apple juice the first time)

1 quart high test clear liquor of your choice (ie: moonshine, 190 proof grain alcohol, etc.)

8 ounces of peach brandy

6 cinnamon sticks

15 red hot candies

6 to 8 cloves (wrap in cheesecloth and tie off for easy removal later)

4 tablespoons of honey

Put apple juice, cinnamon sticks and cloves into a large stock pot. Bring to a low boil and then let simmer until at least an inch or two of liquid has evaporated (you can check this with a wooden spoon, just stand the spoon up in the pot and mark the line where the top of the liquid is then place back in the liquid to see how much has evaporated.) This will remove some of the water from the apple juice and condense the flavor.

Combine liquor, red hots and peach brandy in a separate container. The red hots will dissolve in the alcohol (you may need to stir or shake them up some to facilitate them dissolving)

Once the apple juice is reduced, remove from stove, add the honey, and then let cool down to room temperature. Remove the cinnamon sticks and the cloves in the cheesecloth bag and dispose of them. Add the liquor to the apple juice and stir gently.

Pour the mixture into quart canning jars (Mason/Ball jars) and let sit in the refrigerator for about two weeks to a month (if you can wait that long!)

Thanks for posting this! I had a friend give me a couple of jars of something similar and have been looking for a recipe to reproduice this. It ends up quite potent but surprisingly smooth and way too easy to knock back.

This stuff is an excellent example of liquid panty remover.

[uspsmark]

Yep, Apple Pie has removed more clothes than tequila ever did! I personally do not like fruit in moonshine...lemonade works well, or convert into Apple Pie. Georgia Moon is ok but as stated it is only 80 proof. The reason is because alcohol is taxed based upon the proof rating. Hence, a bottle of 190 proof Everclear is way more expensive than a bottle of 80 proof vodka. As previously stated, make your own and you know how it was made and what's in it. Comes out to about $5.00 a quart or less if you just use sugar, yeast and water. It is not illegal to buy a small home use water distillation unit...what elese you do with it is up to you. There is a guy I know up in Canada that sells water distillation units if anyone is interested.

[booker]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

I have found that the legal brands were a lot more consistent than the homemade product.

Personally, I see no reason to pay a premium bourbon price for an illegal, uncharcoal filtered, unaged, possibly toxic product any more when I can buy it legally at the local ABC stores. It is still damn expensive, even there. Making it yourself for your own consumption would still be illegal, but makes a lot more sense than buying it off the street from some unknown.

I have heard that you can soak fruit, like cherries, in 'shine and it will cut the burn of the shine. This will cause certain people to overindulge and call them Satan's Balls while acting the fool, but that was just a rumor I seem to have heard.

TR

I may have experienced that rumor, or so I heard.

[Penn]

NJ just passed the home brew whiskey resolution, allows up to 20K gallons of liquor to be made and sold commerically. We are applying for the licence a $938.00 investment. Anyone with excellent single grain (malt) recipies please post.

http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2..._into_law.html