Wo, home brew is powerful

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Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: Cawchy87
no, i think he has a friend out in the country that does that sort of stuff now that he is retired. Apparently a hobby so he spends a lot of time on it and he is very good at it.
Yeah. I bet it was Everclear; ~195 proof.

That explains your reaction. ;)
 

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
13,968
2
0
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
In the US its illegal to just own, much less operate, a still.

I think that Homebrewers can produce no more than 100 gallons / year per person above 21 per household. 100 gallons is approx 40 cases.
That's a crock of sh!t.

Apparently, there are quite a few people that agree with me after a quick google.

Alcohol is a natural resource. It does not "belong" to the government.

Food doesn't "belong" to the government either, but that doesn't mean I can go out and start distributing large amounts of food to the public. The same applies to those producing that much in wine, beer, or whatever each year; 100 gallons is just an insane amount of alcohol unless you are distributing it.

I believe much of the problem with distillers is that they use a lot of hazardous materials in their process. They aren't regulated, so many of them just use whatever is available. I too saw the History Channel program, and it indicated that some even used improperly cleaned car radiators. I think all of us as consumers benefit from having regulations. Getting a bottle of wine from a friend wine maker is one thing, but getting a bottle of moonshine from some country boy making it in a forest is another; the alcohol is potent enough--no need for nefarious substances as well.

I produce quite a bit of wine each year, but there's no way I could ever hit 100 gallons. If I desired to go to that level I'd simply buy a license, and they're not at all expensive.

My $.02.

[edit]I take back part of what I said. I calculated how many gallons I've produced this year, and how much I will have by the end; well, it's not too far off the limit. :D[/edit]
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: Descartes
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
In the US its illegal to just own, much less operate, a still.

I think that Homebrewers can produce no more than 100 gallons / year per person above 21 per household. 100 gallons is approx 40 cases.
That's a crock of sh!t.

Apparently, there are quite a few people that agree with me after a quick google.

Alcohol is a natural resource. It does not "belong" to the government.

Food doesn't "belong" to the government either, but that doesn't mean I can go out and start distributing large amounts of food to the public. The same applies to those producing that much in wine, beer, or whatever each year; 100 gallons is just an insane amount of alcohol unless you are distributing it.

I believe much of the problem with distillers is that they use a lot of hazardous materials in their process. They aren't regulated, so many of them just use whatever is available. I too saw the History Channel program, and it indicated that some even used improperly cleaned car radiators. I think all of us as consumers benefit from having regulations. Getting a bottle of wine from a friend wine maker is one thing, but getting a bottle of moonshine from some country boy making it in a forest is another; the alcohol is potent enough--no need for nefarious substances as well.

I produce quite a bit of wine each year, but there's no way I could ever hit 100 gallons. If I desired to go to that level I'd simply buy a license, and they're not at all expensive.

My $.02.
Oh, believe me.. I completely understand that. I agree that the laws should be in place regarding commercial distribution.

I just draw the line at personal use. It's legal to make wine, but I can't take the wine and extract the alcohol out of it?

Horsesh!t.

Basically, the act of heating a liquid that contains alcohol up to 172.76ºF, collecting the alcohol vapors and then recondensing them back into liquid is against the law, and I find that completely obsurd. I'm resourceful by nature, and if I want to purify some alcohol.. I'm going to purify some alcohol. :p

I completely agree though. I'm just talking about for personal use.

BTW, it couldn't possibly be against the law to own a still. You could theoretically use them to condense any liquid-gas phase change material.

I should build a still and start distilling my own water. See if the ATF comes a'knockin. :roll:
 
Jan 18, 2001
14,465
1
0
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Descartes
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
In the US its illegal to just own, much less operate, a still.

I think that Homebrewers can produce no more than 100 gallons / year per person above 21 per household. 100 gallons is approx 40 cases.
That's a crock of sh!t.

Apparently, there are quite a few people that agree with me after a quick google.

Alcohol is a natural resource. It does not "belong" to the government.

Food doesn't "belong" to the government either, but that doesn't mean I can go out and start distributing large amounts of food to the public. The same applies to those producing that much in wine, beer, or whatever each year; 100 gallons is just an insane amount of alcohol unless you are distributing it.

I believe much of the problem with distillers is that they use a lot of hazardous materials in their process. They aren't regulated, so many of them just use whatever is available. I too saw the History Channel program, and it indicated that some even used improperly cleaned car radiators. I think all of us as consumers benefit from having regulations. Getting a bottle of wine from a friend wine maker is one thing, but getting a bottle of moonshine from some country boy making it in a forest is another; the alcohol is potent enough--no need for nefarious substances as well.

I produce quite a bit of wine each year, but there's no way I could ever hit 100 gallons. If I desired to go to that level I'd simply buy a license, and they're not at all expensive.

My $.02.
Oh, believe me.. I completely understand that. I agree that the laws should be in place regarding commercial distribution.

I just draw the line at personal use. It's legal to make wine, but I can't take the wine and extract the alcohol out of it?

Horsesh!t.

Basically, the act of heating a liquid that contains alcohol up to 172.76ºF, collecting the alcohol vapors and then recondensing them back into liquid is against the law, and I find that completely obsurd. I'm resourceful by nature, and if I want to purify some alcohol.. I'm going to purify some alcohol. :p

I completely agree though. I'm just talking about for personal use.

BTW, it couldn't possibly be against the law to own a still. You could theoretically use them to condense any liquid-gas phase change material.

I should build a still and start distilling my own water. See if the ATF comes a'knockin. :roll:

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/26/5601.html
 

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
35,560
22
81
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Cawchy87
no, i think he has a friend out in the country that does that sort of stuff now that he is retired. Apparently a hobby so he spends a lot of time on it and he is very good at it.
Yeah. I bet it was Everclear; ~195 proof.

That explains your reaction. ;)

Everclear is 190 proof.
 
Jan 18, 2001
14,465
1
0
Originally posted by: minendo
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Cawchy87
no, i think he has a friend out in the country that does that sort of stuff now that he is retired. Apparently a hobby so he spends a lot of time on it and he is very good at it.
Yeah. I bet it was Everclear; ~195 proof.

That explains your reaction. ;)

Everclear is 190 proof.

everclear is best serve in an ashtray.


don't believe me? next time try filling the ashtrays at a pary with just a splash of everclear. hilarity and fire will ensue.
 

myusername

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2003
5,046
0
0
Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
Originally posted by: Eli
Oh, believe me.. I completely understand that. I agree that the laws should be in place regarding commercial distribution.

I just draw the line at personal use. It's legal to make wine, but I can't take the wine and extract the alcohol out of it?

Horsesh!t.

Basically, the act of heating a liquid that contains alcohol up to 172.76ºF, collecting the alcohol vapors and then recondensing them back into liquid is against the law, and I find that completely obsurd. I'm resourceful by nature, and if I want to purify some alcohol.. I'm going to purify some alcohol. :p

I completely agree though. I'm just talking about for personal use.

BTW, it couldn't possibly be against the law to own a still. You could theoretically use them to condense any liquid-gas phase change material.

I should build a still and start distilling my own water. See if the ATF comes a'knockin. :roll:

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/26/5601.html
But if you look here "except that stills or distilling apparatus not used or intended to be used for the distillation, redistillation, or recovery of distilled spirits are not required to be registered under this section"

Nonetheless, there's no reason to think the ATF wouldn't kick in your door and find you guilty until you pay a lawyer to prove your innocence.
 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,379
12,867
136
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Descartes
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
In the US its illegal to just own, much less operate, a still.

I think that Homebrewers can produce no more than 100 gallons / year per person above 21 per household. 100 gallons is approx 40 cases.
That's a crock of sh!t.

Apparently, there are quite a few people that agree with me after a quick google.

Alcohol is a natural resource. It does not "belong" to the government.

Food doesn't "belong" to the government either, but that doesn't mean I can go out and start distributing large amounts of food to the public. The same applies to those producing that much in wine, beer, or whatever each year; 100 gallons is just an insane amount of alcohol unless you are distributing it.

I believe much of the problem with distillers is that they use a lot of hazardous materials in their process. They aren't regulated, so many of them just use whatever is available. I too saw the History Channel program, and it indicated that some even used improperly cleaned car radiators. I think all of us as consumers benefit from having regulations. Getting a bottle of wine from a friend wine maker is one thing, but getting a bottle of moonshine from some country boy making it in a forest is another; the alcohol is potent enough--no need for nefarious substances as well.

I produce quite a bit of wine each year, but there's no way I could ever hit 100 gallons. If I desired to go to that level I'd simply buy a license, and they're not at all expensive.

My $.02.
Oh, believe me.. I completely understand that. I agree that the laws should be in place regarding commercial distribution.

I just draw the line at personal use. It's legal to make wine, but I can't take the wine and extract the alcohol out of it?

Horsesh!t.

Basically, the act of heating a liquid that contains alcohol up to 172.76ºF, collecting the alcohol vapors and then recondensing them back into liquid is against the law, and I find that completely obsurd. I'm resourceful by nature, and if I want to purify some alcohol.. I'm going to purify some alcohol. :p

I completely agree though. I'm just talking about for personal use.

BTW, it couldn't possibly be against the law to own a still. You could theoretically use them to condense any liquid-gas phase change material.

I should build a still and start distilling my own water. See if the ATF comes a'knockin. :roll:
refractive stills are semi-legal.

The older moonshine-type stills are still illegal.

Here is some history of the ATF.

http://www.atf.gov/about/atfhistory.htm
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: minendo
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Cawchy87
no, i think he has a friend out in the country that does that sort of stuff now that he is retired. Apparently a hobby so he spends a lot of time on it and he is very good at it.
Yeah. I bet it was Everclear; ~195 proof.

That explains your reaction. ;)

Everclear is 190 proof.
Depends on your state.

I think it ranges from 185 - 195? Maybe even 200?

It's virtually impossible to get 200 proof alcohol with a still though. Close, but not quite.
 

Biggerhammer

Golden Member
Jan 16, 2003
1,531
0
0
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Anubis
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Anubis
distilling your own booze is illegal
Only if you're going to sell it or make more than is used for personal consumption.

i thought it was illegal no matter what
Hmm.. I don't think so. Why would it be?

Is making beer illegal? :confused:

Then again, it's also illegal to grow certain plants.. so I guess it wouldn't surprise me.

Edit: Oh, maybe that's it. Maybe it has to be for "fuel" use and not actual consumption.

Making beer is legal. I've done it myself (badly).
Distilling, I think is illegal or requires licenses... not sure about that though.
 

Biggerhammer

Golden Member
Jan 16, 2003
1,531
0
0
Originally posted by: Eli
I should build a still and start distilling my own water. See if the ATF comes a'knockin. :roll:
I've read that ships based at at Port New York need a distiller's license to distill fresh water from salt water. That was a Reader's Digest blurb, though, not scientific or legal research.
 

Whisper

Diamond Member
Feb 25, 2000
5,394
2
81
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: minendo
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Cawchy87
no, i think he has a friend out in the country that does that sort of stuff now that he is retired. Apparently a hobby so he spends a lot of time on it and he is very good at it.
Yeah. I bet it was Everclear; ~195 proof.

That explains your reaction. ;)

Everclear is 190 proof.
Depends on your state.

I think it ranges from 185 - 195? Maybe even 200?

It's virtually impossible to get 200 proof alcohol with a still though. Close, but not quite.

190 might be right...it's either that or 195. I don't have a bottle here with me, so I can't check.

They make two types of everclear that I know of: 190 proof, and 151 (or was it 155...?) proof to sell in markets where the stronger variant is illegal. Gotta love GA law...95% alcohol is perfectly acceptable, but we'll be DAMNED if we're gonna let you buy it after midnight, or on a sunday, you heathens!