Moonshine legal in your state?

[landarc]

WU, it doesn't matter what concentration, or proof, you distill to. It is the possession and act of distillation of grain alcohol that is illegal. And honestly, it isn't technically illegal, it is illegal.

FP ( I started with Flower, but, there is that skunk cartoon character and it just felt wrong), you can make hard cider or apfelwein with any apple juice. From my understanding in researching this, the best product is to grind and press apples and take the resulting juice, which should be rather tannic, and less than terrific tasting, to make cider. Lacking a press, apple grinder and access to gobs of tannic apples, I intend to use unfiltered apple juice from the store, along with a dozen or two apples run through my meat grinder. I intend to add some natural unbleached sugar and champagne or Montrachet yeast.

[flowerpower]

"You can call me Flower if you want to"- "Bambi" Hey, I've been called worse. lol

What would be considered a "tannic" type of apple? I have access to both Macs & Golden Delicious growing right here. But I won a $20 gift cert. to a local apple orchard I haven't used yet. So after grinding the fruit, all the parts go in the carboy with the juice? I would prolly use the plastic bucket anyway.

I am tempted to just leave a gallon open outside and see if it will ferment from wild yeast. This is the way Beligian Lambics are made. what's the worst that can happen? It'll turn to vinegar?

[canadamike]

Hey Bambi!

The sweeter tasting it is, usually, the less tannins there is. Tannins are the tart tasting compounds in apples ( and other fruits).

Here is the definition for apples:

Tannins: Tannins are substances that tan hides and make apples rust when exposed to the effects of the air. True tannins produce both tann :Ding and puckering. The amount of tannin in an apple, especially in the skin, may differ not only from species to species, but also from tree to tree and even from year to year for the same tree. Research suggests tannins may help prevent periodontal or gum disease.

Tart apples are in order. Unrippen fruits, if I am not wrong, contain more tannins too along with pectin. But then one would lack well developped flavors to come up in the brew if used.

Anyway, we will all know more about it when landarc invite us for a cider and cheese testing in the fall.

Landarc, I bring the Velveeta

[landarc]

My understanding is that you would be better off with pie apples than eating apples. Although I once heard that Macintosh are good for everything. I am thinking Granny Smith cause that is what I have seen used out here.

[flowerpower]

Cool, I would pick up Granny Smith anyway. One of my favorites. I am going to Cooperstown next weekend and there is a cider mill right outside the village. So at least I will get some nice fresh cider. See what other varieties they have too. I do have to remind my BF to get me fresh yeast down in NYC this week.

[bluelacedredhead]

What about those 20 Ounce Apples that were at the TomatoFest in Auburn last year FP?? If you recall, they are only to be found in Central NY.

[plantsnobin]

Johno, that site had some beautiful stuff, those copper stock pots were gorgeous! $300 for a 10 gallon pot would be a little steep for me, but it sure would look good in a kitchen. I imagine if one were an adventerous cook they might be worth it, I can see some lucious chocolate confections being made in those.

[landarc]

www.milehidistilling.com/Distillers_and_Distilling_Stills_s/2.htm
www.dangerouslaboratories.org/moon1.html

There are some links there. Now one thing I understand about this whole affair (especially you do-it-yourselfers) the real trick is making sure your ferment has no high level alcohol (called Fusel alcohols) as these little buggers can really hurt you. Distill the water out and they can actually cause blindness and death. They will give you an instant head ache.

And no, I did not check to see if Mile High provides those teacher's helpers shown in the catalog.

[landarc]

While I do not support home distilling, or any unlawful act. Yes, I do not break the speed limit, here is a web site that a law breaker might find useful. I mean a person interested in home botanical extraction.

www.amphora-society.com/home.html

[Alan]

Excellent link landarc, thanks!

[MikeM]

You poor unlucky buggers! Here in South Africa ALL brewing and distilling for personal consumption is completely legal. You're just not allowed to sell it. So there are a number of farmers doing tourism stuff who will sell you a really expensive sandwich, and give you a free sample of their personal White Lightning.

A friend and fellow home-brewer has managed to find a source for a good quality Scotch yeast that we're keen to try one day...

First to get my brewing setup back in working order after a long break!