Moonshine is something that’s constantly referenced in ~pop culture~ but we, presumably like yourselves, have no idea what the hell it is.
The one thing that we do know, however, is that it gets you furrrrrrrrrked urp.
While moonshine is an alcohol in and of itself, it’s more of an overarching term for booze that’s produced illegally. Yeah, we were hoping for something a tad more sexy or riveting than that, but you win some/you lose some.
WHAT IS MOONSHINE?
Typical moonshine is made with corn meal, water, yeast and sugar.
It can also be produced from any type of grain such as rye or barley – although the brew then enters into whiskey territory.
The main difference between moonshine and store-bought alcohol lies in the ageing process. Whiskey, as an example, comes out of the still as clear as day – just like moonshine. The amber colour of whiskey occurs after its been aged in barrels for several years which also soothes the overwhelming taste. ~The more you know~. This is why hooch has such a harsh kick.
HOW IS MOONSHINE MADE?
Corn is ground into meal and is soaked in hot water inside a still. An alcoholic steam is made which is forced through a pipe that leads out of the top of the still – the first filtering process. The steam is then filtered through a coil which is surrounded by cold water that chills it the fuck out and condenses it into liquid. The liquid is then run through one last filtering process before being released through a spout.
Makers of moonshine aren’t/weren’t as methodically precise to the aforementioned process – usually using crappy ingredients and dirty parts that have lead to several incidents of blindness. CBF that.
HOW DID ‘SHINE RISE TO THE POSTER-PISS OF REDNECK USA?
After the American Revolution, the government found it hard to pay for shit since it’d spent all its cash-monay fighting the Brits. So to raise revenue, it placed a federal tax on liquor and spirits. The Americans were PISSED, especially considering the whole goddamn point of seeking independence was to free the population of oppressive British taxes.
As luck would have it, the Brits themselves were responsible for the word moonshine. Any job or activity done late at night in the UK was designated as moonshining.
In the dead of night, patriotic and drunk hicks brewed their nectar so they could be all like: ‘yo government, promptly suck a fat one.’
Back in those days, it wasn’t something these folks were doing for fun – it was how they got by. Farmers were able to write off a bad year of crops by producing hooch and selling it on. They were maggot Robin Hoods, if you will. This methodology made living on the unforgiving frontier somewhat tolerable.
Fast-forward to post-WWII and the moonshine business was booming. Prohibition was in full swing and peeps were once again PISSED.
This stick-it-to-the-man mentality is likely the only reason illegally made moonshine is consumed today, as producing it is essentially just as expensive as walking to the Bottle-O and buying a bottle of scotch.
WHERE CAN YOU GET IT
Australia didn’t endure the same shit as America so there’s never been an overwhelming demand for the stuff. With that being said, moonshine is a great way to mix-up your boozy routine but there’s few places where you can get it.
The Mill House, based on Flinders Lane in Melbourne, serves up a range of offerings where moonshine-based spirits play hero. They’ve gotten their sexy little paws on Artisan Handcrafted’s product – a boutique producer of damn-fine ‘shine. There’s Ole Smokey Tennessee which is distilled traditionally from corn, as well as Freedom Moonshine that’s made from rye and malted barley. The flavours between the two include: Apple Pie, Blackberry and spicy Firecracker.
If you’re in Melbourne, or you’re heading there soon, be sure to check out The Mill House. Go get crunk.
Lead image via Getty.
Additional information via How Stuff Works.
