Owning a still in Kentucky for the intended purposes of distilling moonshine is illegal, and being caught with a still for the purpose of distilling moonshine is a Class B misdemeanor, with additional convictions being Class A misdemeanors.
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Is making moonshine for personal use illegal in Kentucky?
Historically, moonshine meant liquor that was made and distilled at home.However, distilling alcohol at home, even for personal use, is illegal under federal law. In 2010, legal moonshine stills opened in some parts of the south, including South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, and Alabama.
What states allow moonshine?
“Legal” Moonshining
In contrast to Florida, some state’s home distilling laws allow “legal” moonshining, even though it’s considered illegal federally. Those states include Alaska, Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Rhode Island.
Can you distill in Kentucky?
Both Kentucky and federal law allow an adult person to produce beer and wine for personal consumption.Both Kentucky and federal law prohibit the production of distilled spirits for personal use without a license.
Is it illegal to have a jar of moonshine?
So back to the question, is making moonshine illegal? Technically yes, if it’s for personal consumption. You can, however, own and operate a still to process alcohol for fuel–with proper permits. Moonshine distribution, on the other hand, is legal if you’ve gone through the red tape to get the proper permits.
What happens if you get caught making moonshine?
Offenses under this section are felonies that are punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, for each offense. 5601(a)(1) – Possession of an unregistered still.
Why is distilling illegal?
Why is that? The government cites several reasons for keeping distilling illegal. First, it can be dangerous. Distilleries bring two materials into close proximity – alcohol vapor and heat sources – that can cause disastrous explosions when not managed correctly.
Is moonshine illegal in all 50 states?
While most states prohibit home moonshining, state laws sometimes conflict with federal law.But federal law trumps state law, and to the feds, distilling at home for personal consumption is illegal, period.
Is Moonshine bad for?
Illegal moonshine remains dangerous because it is mostly brewed in makeshift stills. It can be dangerous on two levels, both during the distilling process and when consuming it.
Is it illegal to make your own liquor?
Making alcoholic spirits at home is illegal without a licence and can even be deadly. Buying equipment to make your own beer at home can be as easy as going to the supermarket.The spirit is made by distilling grape by-products left over from making wine and can contain up to 60 per cent alcohol.
Can you make your own whiskey in Kentucky?
No, but it is a question of the surrounding facts. Kentucky Revised Statute Section 244.170 provides that “No person shall buy, bargain, sell, loan, own, possess or knowingly transport any apparatus designed for the unlawful manufacture of alcoholic beverages”.
Does Kentucky sell moonshine?
Kentucky was among the first states to legalize moonshine sales from properly licensed distilleries around 2010.It continues to use square copper stills to manufacture traditional and oak-charred moonshine.
Can you make whiskey in Kentucky?
Only water may be used to lower the proof of the alcohol. Location – Bourbon can be made anywhere in the US. Only whiskey produced in the State of Kentucky can be called labeled Kentucky Straight Whiskey.
Can you make moonshine if you don t sell it?
Federal Distillation Laws
Federal law states that it is legal to own a still of any size.However, be advised it is illegal to distill alcohol without having either a “distilled spirits permit” or a “federal fuel alcohol permit.” It does not matter if the alcohol is for personal use only, not for sale, etc.
Is it legal to own a still?
“The process of breaking it down, when the molecule gets broken down, it turns into something that’s very, very dangerous to living cells.” Distilling spirits at home without a license is illegal, but it is legal to buy distilling equipment.
How much is a gallon of moonshine?
It costs around $8 per gallon for the sugar and wheat to make the moonshine. The selling price is around $25 a gallon if sold in bulk, or $40 for retail price.
Why is homemade moonshine illegal?
So why is moonshine still illegal? Because the liquor is worth more to the government than beer or wine.Today, federal rules say a household with two adults can brew up to 200 gallons of wine and the same amount of beer each year. (A few states have their own laws prohibiting the practice.)
How much whiskey can you make legally?
In general, most of the states hold distillation of whiskey (and other spirits) to be illegal, but there are some definite exceptions. Missouri, for example, allows residents to distill up to 100 gallons of spirits a year.
How much moonshine will a 20 gallon still make?
This still is capable of producing over 4 gallons of shine per run.
Why do stills explode?
Explosions
Several scenarios could cause alcohol vapor to combust during the operation of a still.A vapor leak in a still could fill an enclosed space with alcohol vapor. A flash heat source could ignite the vapor, and boom, shake the room. For both of these reasons, one should never distill alcohol in enclosed areas.
Can moonshine make you go blind?
The short answer: yes, it’s possible to go blind from drinking moonshine.The idea that moonshine or other home-distilled liquors can cause blindness is rooted in truth, but it’s important to separate the causes of said blindness from the alcohol distillation process itself.
