Home Distillation Prohibition

TxBrew · 12-06-2011, 08:24 PM

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f19/home-distilling-bill-house-representatives-55459/

This thread is a bit old but covers a bill that would have made home distilling legal on the Federal level.

I think it would be great to end the prohibition of home distilling but I don't think the drive is there like home brewing since there are fewer spirit drinkers wanting to craft their own. I'm sure the lobby is quite extensive as well to keep it illegal.

Anyone researched the topic in depth, discussed it with politicians or know of any more recent legislation?

Jacob_Marley · 12-06-2011, 09:37 PM

Don't know of any more recent legislative efforts.

You are right though, it will never see the light of day ... but not necessarily due to any lack of interest but instead due to the governments reliance on the (tax) profits. They demand a serious cut of the Vig, and they are determined to get it.
As it was noted in the Prohibition PBS series ... it was actually alcohol tax that literally funded the government before the introduction of the federal income tax ... it's just that lucrative.

Yup, like you point out ... and then there's the lobbyists.

Home distillation is quite dangerous too. The range of safe temp can be difficult to control and though many folks wouldn't use a sandbox to control temperature like they did in the old days, still ... accidentally exceeding the margin of error would be unpleasant.
A long time ago I lived in Tennessee briefly and became <ahem> acquainted with distilling ... strictly from an informational standpoint mind you ... uh, but I can attest to that it is ... uh ... said to be ... a nervous pursuit (and not because of the Revenuers!). As well most people wouldn't find a singlings run very palatable (the first pass thru the still) as it's still loaded with slobber and does not compare to the flavor of even cheap store bought booze. It's doublings and triplings that would taste to us closer to the product we are familiar with ... but those additional runs are basically cooking an increasingly alcohol laden liquid. Um, got a light?

(edit note: corrected misstatement re: temperatures)

ReverseApacheMaster · 12-06-2011, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacob_Marley

Don't know of any more recent legislative efforts.

You are right though, it will never see the light of day ... but not necessarily due to any lack of interest but instead due to the governments reliance on the (tax) profits. They demand a serious cut of the Vig, and they are determined to get it.
As it was noted in the Prohibition PBS series ... it was actually alcohol tax that literally funded the government before the introduction of the federal income tax ... it's just that lucrative.

And one of the first things the people revolted against: Whiskey Rebellion. The first occupy movement.

**Airborneguy** · 12-06-2011, 10:48 PM

I've recently had my first 'taste' of the forbidden fruit and found it quite enjoyable. Hopefully they find some way to legalize it because I would to try it out myself.

jtrux · 12-06-2011, 11:41 PM

Another problem is the foreshots are poisonous. People can get into home brewing with out risk of poisoning just possible bad tasting beer. As far as home distilling people could end up dead or blind if they don't know what they are doing

**Brewpastor** · 12-06-2011, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtrux

Another problem is the foreshots are poisonous. People can get into home brewing with out risk of poisoning just possible bad tasting beer. As far as home distilling people could end up dead or blind if they don't know what they are doing

That is why it is important to get it out of the closet and into the light of day where people can learn proper technique and make good, safe product. It isn't rocket science, and just because it is illegal does not mean people will not try it. I don't need the government to protect me from my own stupidity. I could use their trust to use my intelligence however.

**passedpawn** · 12-07-2011, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brewpastor

That is why it is important to get it out of the closet and into the light of day where people can learn proper technique and make good, safe product. It isn't rocket science, and just because it is illegal does not mean people will not try it. I don't need the government to protect me from my own stupidity. I could use their trust to use my intelligence however.

Right on. I abhor the idea of being protected from my own actions. From a very american perspective, how dare they.

funkapottomous · 12-07-2011, 12:08 AM

I used to play in a band with on older guy who homebrewed and distilled.
He had a still in his garage next to his homebrew setup, because everyone (including the police officers who lived on the street) knew he brewed so they never questioned it, thinking it was just brewing equipment.

Made some pretty damn good whiskey.

Jacob_Marley · 12-07-2011, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReverseApacheMaster

And one of the first things the people revolted against: Whiskey Rebellion. The first occupy movement.

Damn fine cause.

**weirdboy** · 12-07-2011, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacob_Marley

Don't know of any more recent legislative efforts.

You are right though, it will never see the light of day ... but not necessarily due to any lack of interest but instead due to the governments reliance on the (tax) profits. They demand a serious cut of the Vig, and they are determined to get it.
As it was noted in the Prohibition PBS series ... it was actually alcohol tax that literally funded the government before the introduction of the federal income tax ... it's just that lucrative.

Yup, like you point out ... and then there's the lobbyists.

Home distillation is quite dangerous too. It's a relatively small range of temperature above which alcohol is vaporized and leaves the mash ... but not so hot that it ignites. Most folks wouldn't use a sandbox to control temperature like they did in the old days, but still ... accidentally exceeding the margin of error would be unpleasant.
A long time ago I lived in Tennessee briefly and became <ahem> acquainted with distilling ... strictly from an informational standpoint mind you ... uh, but I can attest to that it is ... uh ... said to be ... a nervous pursuit (and not because of the Revenuers!). As well most people wouldn't find a singlings run very palatable (the first pass thru the still) as it's still loaded with slobber and does not compare to the flavor of even cheap store bought booze. It's doublings and triplings that would taste to us closer to the product we are familiar with ... but those additional runs are basically cooking an increasingly alcohol laden liquid. Um, got a light?

I thought you could use a thumper to make first passes much more palatable, presuming we are talking about pot stills and not reflux stills where you can fractionate the distillate and get very high quality in a single pass.