2006-09-09 14:02:39 · 21 answers · asked by ayork46738 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
Yes...sort of.
It's illegal to distill alcohol...for private use, for commercial use, for any use...without a federal permit.
Home brewing of beer/wine is not distilling, and it is perfectly legal and free to do to a limit:
"(a) Any adult may produce beer, without payment of tax, for personal or family use and not for sale. An adult is any individual who is 18 years of age or older. If the locality in which the household is located requires a greater minimum age for the sale of beer to individuals, the adult shall be that age before commencing the production of beer. This exemption does not authorize the production of beer for use contrary to state or local law.
(1) 200 gallons per calendar year if there are two or more adults residing in the household, or (2) 100 gallons per calendar year if there is only one adult residing in the household."
http://www.ttb.gov/beer/25_205.htm
For everybody who said you can make moonshine for personal use, they're absolutely wrong.
"You cannot produce spirits for beverage purposes without paying taxes and without prior approval of paperwork to operate a distilled spirits plant. [See 26 U.S.C. 5601 & 5602 for some of the criminal penalties.] There are numerous requirements that must be met that make it impractical to produce spirits for personal or beverage use. Some of these requirements are paying special tax, filing an extensive application, filing a bond, providing adequate equipment to measure spirits, providing suitable tanks and pipelines, providing a separate building (other than a dwelling) and maintaining detailed records, and filing reports. All of these requirements are listed in 27 CFR Part 19. "
http://www.ttb.gov/spirits/faq.shtml#s7
2006-09-09 14:21:47 · answer #1 · answered by Trid 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Despite some of the erroneous answers above, it's a federal crime in the United States to distill, even for personal consumption. This is mainly a taxation issue, but it's also easy for a novice to adulterate a distilled beverage with potentially lethal toxins. (Just fermenting is safer by comparison, for the amateur.)
You can purchase equipment for home distillation, but the merchants always add the disclaimer "for distillation of essential oils only" or similar.
New Zealand is about the only country in the world that permits home distillation for personal use.
2006-09-09 16:06:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No it is not, for anyone is allowed to manufacture any alcohol for their own consumption. You just are not allowed to market it without proper licensing. As a matter of fact there are now companies who legally manufacture it, and sell it. To prove that I know what I am talking about just follow the link below. Remember: ALWAYS drink responsibly, and NEVER drink & drive :D
2006-09-09 16:02:02 · answer #3 · answered by trauma_force 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes. but you can produce it in small quantities for personal use. It tastes slightly like gasoline or charcoal starter. Plus it is almost pure alcohol (95% pure 190 proof, similar to Everclear) when it comes out of the still. But it doesn't give you a bad hangover as long as you don't drink a lot of it.
2006-09-09 14:13:29 · answer #4 · answered by jake41784 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Of course it is. Some folks still make it - like way in the back woods of a county. Some say the hill folks still do too. It is illegal,but you know how some folks are. God Bless.
2006-09-09 14:07:31 · answer #5 · answered by grams40 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is not illegal to make liquor of any kind as long as it is for personal use. It is illegal to sell it or allow some under 21 to consume it.
2006-09-09 14:21:35 · answer #6 · answered by rikv77 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yeah I think It is.
But if I get caught, I will stick by the statement
"I thought it was just illegal to Distribute it, officer!"
: )
2006-09-09 14:05:14 · answer #7 · answered by tui 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes in most country.
Moonshine is a nick name for making alcohol without government authorisation.
In USA it is OK to make for personal consumption but depends on local laws, if you make it, you may give some away but you cannot sale it to any one.
2006-09-09 14:08:58 · answer #8 · answered by minootoo 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Yes. Carter legalized micro brew for home and it has limits on quantity.
2006-09-09 14:07:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes..but don't tell on me please..
Government made it illegal because they don't get their cut on taxes from it
2006-09-09 14:05:01 · answer #10 · answered by hipergirl22 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋