Moonshine In Appalachia
How has the history of moonshine shaped the culture around it in Appalachia today?
Moonshine is an Appalachian staple when it comes to cuisine. I will be diving into the history of moonshine and why it has become intertwined with Appalachian Culture. It has a long history in the U.S., with much of its need being economically driven. People have been brewing moonshine in the mountains since the Revolutionary War. It descends from Scotch-Irish heritage, which immigrated to Appalachia for coal mining jobs. Moonshine is more economically viable than corn because it lasts longer, is easier to transport and sells for more money. This makes it the perfect product for those in Appalachia who were in need of extra money. However, moonshine has not always seen the kinder end of the law. Moonshine has had a lot of policies against home-brewing, making it an illegal beverage.
The first instance of outlawing moonshine happened during the Civil War (Sumich). However, this was not effective since the war was happening. After the war, early offenders were arrested but unaware of the law prohibiting home-brewing. This created an uprising in Appalachia, banning people together in order to abolish the law against moonshine. This serves to root moonshine in Appalachia because it was a popular product and people did not want to lose it as income. During the 1920’s alcohol was prohibited which at first created tension in Appalachia due to home-brewing becoming illegal. Later though, this actually made moonshine more profitable because there was big money in illegal alcohol trade (Sumich). This increased the popularity of moonshine in Appalachia. After the 20’s and into the 30’s, the distilling business continued to be lucrative for the small sustenance farmer because people still bought alcohol through the depression. People drink when they are celebrating and when they are down on their luck. In both instances, during the roaring 20’s and the depression of the 30’s, grain alcohol was a popular drink of choice due to its easy access (Sumich).
Since moonshine distilling has had a long history of being outlawed, the production and economic reliance on the libation have created a negative stigma around it. According to Peine and Schafft, “Because moonshining is not regarded as a legitimate activity by the state, the fact that some areas of Appalachia have relied on it for survival results in a particular construction of the Appalachian region as a ‘problem,’ a place that is lawless, backward and somehow pre- or anti-modern” (94). These assumptions have created a stereotype around moonshine and those who drink it. Moonshine is inherently more than just its intoxicating property, it bares the weight of the hillbilly stereotype (Piene and Schafft 105). Stereotypes generally have a lot of negativity associated with them. The one about those who drink this libation is no exception. People generally assume that those who drink it are “backwards” and uneducated (Engelhardt 51). While there are always bits of truth in each stereotype, it is more important to dive into the purpose of creating the stereotype around moonshine. I believe that other alcohol companies had something to gain from moonshine becoming illegal. This would discourage drinking it by creating the stereotype of people who drink it are somewhat less than those who don’t. Thus, helping the sales of other types of alcohol.
Moonshine is an integral part of Appalachian culture. It is imperative that one includes it when studying the region, especially in relation to the stereotypes its developed around it. Today the practice of moonshine distilling is becoming more popular. Places like Northern Virginia are seeing a growth in the alcohol industry and there are many more independent breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries. Moonshine becoming more popular and is now being sold in stores so, slowly the stereotype is wearing away. Moonshine has had a long history in Appalachia and much of it being outlawed which later created a negative stereotype for it, however, it is now seeing a resurgence especially on the east coast (Dieterle).
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Citations
Barksdale, Kevin T., “Spirits of Just Men: Mountaineers, Liquor Bosses, and Lawmen in the Moonshine Capital of the World.” Virginia Magazine of History & Biography, 00426636, 2012, Vol. 120, Issue 1
Dieterle, Jarrette. “Moonshine Makes A Comeback in Virginia. And This Time, It’s Legal.” NPR, NPR, 19 Oct. 2017, www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/10/19/558324004/moonshine-makes-a-comeback-in-virginia-and-this-time-its-legal.
Engelhardt, Elizabeth. “Writing That Old Moonshine Lit: Gender, Power, and Nation In Unexpected Places.” Journal of Appalachian Studies, vol. 13, no. 1/2, 2007, pp. 49–74. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/41446777.
Peine, Emelie K., and Kai A. Schafft. “Moonshine, Mountaineers, and Modernity: Distilling Cultural History in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.” Journal of Appalachian Studies, vol. 18, no. 1/2, 2012, pp. 93–112. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/23337709.
Sumich, Jason. “Department of Anthropology.” Identity in a Mountain Family, 25 May 2017, anthro.appstate.edu/research/field-schools/ethnographic-and-linguistic-field-schools/summer-2007-alleghany-county/its.
