The History of Moonshine

Moonshine is a homemade fermented corn whiskey distilled in a variety of cooking pots. Named in England for the night runners who smuggled brandy from France, untaxed and illegal liquor has been manufactured in the American South for decades.

In 1794, a federal tax on whiskey evoked a Whiskey Rebellion among frontier farmers. In response, many built their own distillers and produced their own liquor. Liquor was typically produced for family consumption.

Automobiles were modified to drive at high speeds to avoid federal agents trying to seize the moonshine and obtain the revenue or federal taxes. Bootleggers often raced the cars they used for deliveries. The races evolved to what is known as NASCAR today.

Cosby, Tennessee claims to be the “moonshine capital of the world”, and claims that even today, there are over 200 stills operating in Cocke County, averaging production of over 20 gallons a day per still.

 

Disclaimer: Don't be a "doofus" and cook up any of these recipes. This is just for giggles and laughs. This stuff is poison, boy, pure poison. Moonshiners often die young. If they don't explode, they go blind, or the "revenooers" get 'em. It is illegal to make, sell, distibute, or be in possession of moonshine. Credit where credit is due. Much of the information and recipes came from the "Alaskan Bootlegger Bible", Leon Kania, Happy Mountain Publications, 2000