Is it legal to distill alcohol in the US?
No matter what you may have seen on the Discovery Channel, home distilling in the United States remains very much illegal. … It’s perfectly legal to own a still, and you can even use it, as long as you’re not making alcohol – so, you can make essential oils without a permit, or perfume, or distilled water.
Is moonshining illegal in all states?
While most states prohibit home moonshining, state laws sometimes conflict with federal law. … But federal law trumps state law, and to the feds, distilling at home for personal consumption is illegal, period.
Is it legal to make moonshine for personal use?
Today, people make artisan moonshine out of a sense of nostalgia and preference for taste. These can be sold in liquor stores or brewed just for personal use. However, distilling alcohol at home, even for personal use, is illegal under federal law. … These produced legal moonshine for sale and distribution.
How do you legally distill whiskey?
If a person wishes to legally distill alcohol, they have two options. The first option is to obtain a Federal Distilled Spirits Permit. This is the permit that industry giants like Jack Daniels and Makers Mark distilleries possess, which makes it legal for them to distill and distribute to the public.
Why is it illegal to make moonshine?
So why is moonshine still illegal? Because the liquor is worth more to the government than beer or wine. … Today, federal rules say a household with two adults can brew up to 200 gallons of wine and the same amount of beer each year. (A few states have their own laws prohibiting the practice.)
Can I distill alcohol at home?
Distilling in California is illegal, even if it would be federally legal. 23300. No person shall exercise the privilege or perform any act which a licensee may exercise or perform under the authority of a license unless the person is authorized to do so by a license issued pursuant to this division.
How can I legally distill at home?
The Federal Distilled Spirits Permit
If you want to distill spirits at home to consume yourself or share with others, you must first apply for a Federal Distilled Spirits Permit. The permit requires a hefty fee, in addition to regulated inspections of your distillation equipment and facility.
How do you legally sell homemade liquor?
On the federal level, you’ll need to apply for a permit from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. State regulations vary, but you can expect to need to obtain a business license, as well as separate licenses and permits that allow you to manufacture spirits, ship products directly to consumers, or own a still.
How much does it cost to make a gallon of moonshine?
It costs around $8 per gallon for the sugar and wheat to make the moonshine. The selling price is around $25 a gallon if sold in bulk, or $40 for retail price.