Posted on 06/05/2024 7:19:49 AM PDT by Red Badger
NATIONAL MOONSHINE DAY
On June 5 we toast National Moonshine Day to recognize a beverage with a notorious record of blurring the lines of history and the law, turning ordinary men (and women) into criminals and common criminals into legends. Follow along as we discuss how the history is just as strong as the drink.
#NationalMoonshineDay
Traditionally, moonshine is an illegally distilled whiskey spirit mostly made from a corn mash and typically produced by an individual illegally without a permit. Also known as white lightning, mountain dew, homebrew, hillbilly pop, rotgut, and moonshine has served as a means for people to acquire liquor and make a living.
Whiskey Rebellion of 1791
The Whiskey Rebellion of 1791 in the US occurred when the federal government placed a tax on distilled spirits. During this time, farmers made whiskey from their excess grain to earn income. When the government began taxing the farmers, the farmers decided to begin making moonshine as a way to defy the new tax. Sadly, the rebellion was short-lived, but the illegal production of moonshine did not stop.
Prohibition
Distilling skills first came to the US with the Scotch-Irish as they settled in Virginia. Temperance laws and prohibition legislation were passed in several states before the Civil War, but it wasn't until the turn of the century that the temperance movement picked up steam. By the time the 18th Amendment was ratified early in 1919, over half the country was dry.
Prohibition lasted 13 years and created a demand for moonshine, unlike any that may have existed before. Moonshine became big business overnight for moonshiners and bootleggers.
Modern Moonshine
These days, moonshine in the legal sense has a following. Small-batch distilleries are producing legal moonshine giving moonshiners a new name. Bringing moonshine out of the woods has allowed for moonshiners to legally go up against other whiskeys for a place on the shelf. Many are packaging their homebrews in canning jars, embracing their rich history allowing moonshiners to experiment with flavor. In fact, moonshiners are branch out with food pairing similar to that of wine and beer.
5 Moonshine Trivia Ideas
Shepherd was Uncle Jesse's CB handle on the Dukes of Hazzard. Sweet Tillie was the name of his Ford LTD/Galaxie in the first episode - his moonshine runner.
The X's on the moonshine jugs symbol represents the number of times a batch was run through the still. If marked XXX, the moonshine is pure alcohol.
What do Esther Clark, Edna Giard, Stella Beloumant, Mary Wazeniak all have in common? They were all bootleggers. Bootlegging was an equal opportunity profession.
Lavinia Gilman was a bootlegger, too. At 80 years old, she ran a 300 gallon still in Montana. The judge suspected her son was the real culprit, though.
During prohibition, there were many ways to transport bootlegged moonshine. Faking a funeral was a convenient ruse to move the product. Out of respect for the dead, of course, those with the badge were reluctant to stop a funeral procession.
CHEERS TO MOONSHINE DAY
There are so many ways to celebrate National Moonshine Day, especially if your family has a whispered histories of the white lightning. Can you imagine sharing a story about a legendary bootlegger hiding out near your home? These stories make great social media posts so don't forget to tag #NationalMoonshineDay so we can enjoy those stories, too! As always, remember to drink responsibility and never drink and drive.
NATIONAL MOONSHINE DAY HISTORY
Within our research, we were unable to identify the founder of National Moonshine Day.
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June 5th Celebrated History
1893
The Orient Express departs from Paris on its first regularly scheduled service.
1956
Elvis Presley appears on The Milton Berle Show and performs his new single, "Hound Dog." His gyrations prove to be scandalous but propel him into Rock and Roll history.
1981
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the first five cases of AIDS. At the time, the five patients located in Los Angeles, California, were reported as having a rare strain of pneumonia only found in those with weakened immune systems.
June 5th Celebrated Birthdays
Pancho Villa - 1878 The Mexican revolutionary general became a notorious bandit who joined an uprising against Mexican dictator, Porfirio Diaz. In the U.S., he became known for his battles with U.S. troops and a 1916 attack on Columbus, New Mexico.
Ruth Benedict - 1887 The American anthropologist who studied Southwest Native American cultures is best known for interpreter ability.
Bill Moyers - 1934 The American Journalist served as President Lyndon B. Johnson's press secretary. His career has spanned more than 55 years including commentating and hosting several television news shows and publishing numerous books.
Ken Follett - 1949 The Welsh author has published several thrillers and historical novels including The Pillars of the Earth.
Richard Scarry - 1953 The children's author created a world of anthropomorphic characters who live in Busytown. From Lowly Worm to Miss Honey and Doctor Lion, Scarry's stories took children on adventures and taught reading, colors, and manners along with many other things.
....For medicinal purposes only, you understand.............
George Jones - White Lightning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE5pM1HXxlI
Out here in The Boonies, that’s every day.
Otis, that you?.....................
It’s apparently the new, hip drink among the smart set.
I’ve seen it sold in mason jars in the local liquor store - for a very steep price.
Wow!
I had the ‘authentic’ stuff in Alabama, while visiting Beau’s family. WOW! That stuff could dissolve rust! One sip was enough for me, though local ‘craftsman’ Donny insisted I take the whole quart Mason jar!
He was also making wine, but it somehow EXPLODED, so I didn’t get to try that, ;) (Small favor!)
You can buy whole grain alcohol, Everclear, cheaper.......
That happened to a friend of our that tried to make his own beer.
He bottled it too soon and the fermentation was not yet completed, so they exploded.................
We’ve been watching the Beverly Hillbillies a lot lately. Laughter is good for the soul, and that show doesn’t disappoint. Granny’s a hoot!
I have the entire series on DVD................
I bought some blueberry moonshine as a souvenir from Tennessee a few years back. I don’t much care for it, but we did bring it to our neighbor’s Eclipse party a few months ago. Several takers.
Years ago, I kept a jar of moonshine next to the couch to sip on while watching football...The morning after a pretty good party, I told my wife that I saw the devil come out of my jar of ‘shine...We laughed about it and went on with breakfast with our 6 year old son.....
A month or so later, we were at a dinner party with a group from church...My son stood up and said, “Guess what? My daddy saw the devil come out of his jar of moonshine!!!!”
Things really got quiet.....LOL
What movie is that from? I can’t place it.
You should have said “....and Jesus turned it into water!”...............
The Great Escape
I gotta get that set for myself.
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