Learn Your Moonshine

“White Lightning” or the many names for this home-brewed corn creation has enjoyed a bit of a Renaissance in recent years with reality television shows bringing us Moonshiners and others to show the historical importance of the distilled beverage that originates in Appalachia but can be found in the hand of a hipster just as easily these days.

When you throw in the outlaw element to its production, as well as the university town, it’s no wonder the high-octane drink has become a bit trendy these days with small-batch bottling being sold for as much as $50 a jar based on the use of artesian and heirloom corns.

Between Prohibition and simple economics, moonshine became a necessity for many during the 20^th century and, a century later, it’s now a small-batch offering made in nearly every state.

As a study of farmers in Cocke County, Tenn. (proper moonshine country), observes: “One could transport much more value in corn if it was first converted to whiskey. One horse could haul 10 times more value on its back in whiskey than in corn.”

And that’s where moonshine began its humble origins.

One of my favorites these days is Lead Mine MoonShine by the Blaum Brother’s Distilling Company.

But again, there is no shortage of options and some are truly fantastic. As distilling is easy, but if done well, it’s magical.