The “Other Water of Appalachia”: Moonshine

Research Question: How has moonshine shaped Appalachia’s culture and economics?

Creative Element: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1EAY_IOpTI

For just a little over a century, the Appalachian region was an internal mineral colony that ended up yielding a plethora of environmental and economic effects. The stereotypic ‘hillbilly” persona was produced which represented freedom, an identity, and a heritage. Appalachian people have been producing moonshine for many years and their ancestors from Europe did as well. Overall, this corn liquor drew upon a variety of cultural, social and economic situations as it become attached to the Hillbilly stereotype.

As society evolved into a new era, moonshine was viewed as a “dangerous drink for dangerous people” and this reputation is still present today. Originally, moonshine became the drink of the American Frontier with its’ strong alcoholic content. Moonshine quickly became an illegal produced alcoholic beverage. This liquor has not been aged, is distilled from corn or sugar, and can actually become legal in today’s culture.

Moonshine got its’ name, as it is an activity that is supposed to be done late at night, under the moon. Moonshine is a simple solution of cornmeal, yeast, sugar, and water. This is actually a similar recipe to whiskey, as they are all clear when they are distilled the first time. Moonshine is a liquor that is drank straight out of the still, while whiskey is aged. Moonshine has a higher potency due to its relatively quick creation process. Flavored moonshine can be a thing when fruits are added, which will create a slight color to the liquid. Moonshine was originally made to avoid taxes and alcohol bans. Virginia is one of the only states to produce moonshine in its original way. Allowing the corn to go through a “malting” process. Malted corn is then added to regular corn and dispensed into a grinder mixer, which then the corn is exposed to the enzymes of the malted kernels, the entire solution transforms the starch into sugars. Small amounts of ground corn is used to combine with water, which is then known as yeast. This homemade yeast is then boiled with water until it forms a thick mixture, which is then allowed to cool to room temperature. Corn and water is then mixed into another tank to break down the corn, enriching the sugars, which will then form a starch. Once cooled, both solutions are then added to fermentation tanks, which will set for four days. At the conclusion of this time, the yeast turns the sugars into alcohol. The creator will determine when it is ready based on its’ consistency. Once the consistency is right, they add it to a copper still, which is still used by moonshiners today. This creation is boiled to a temperature of 82 degrees, because at that point alcohol boils and water does not. The alcohol is collected in a condenser and at that point has a proof of 80%.

This corn liquor is commonly a family tradition that is passed down from generation to generation. Many times people do not remember how they learned the distilling process, but can remember that it was part of the family business. Commonly, an individual will inherit a recipe that was used by their grandparents and will pass it on to their children and grandchildren. As youth, individuals can remember learning about moonshine, and even sneaking some from the cabinets when no one was looking. There are stories and legends of younger people sneaking out into the woods with their elders to the still where they made moonshine. As the still was fired up, and the liquor started flowing, family traditions and experiences were born. Many times, the younger people would go on liquor runs with their elders.

As society has evolved, this industry has changed. Even though these actions are still typically illegal, this business is still as strong and potent as it was centuries ago in the backwoods. Distilleries are still hidden in a variety of places with production being accelerated. Unfortunately, some of the larger moonshine operations are also dealing in drugs and stolen property.

Although moonshine was brought to North America during colonization, it is still without a doubt, a booming industry. Even though these actions are typically illegal, this only reinforces the traditions and values of the original moonshiners.

Sources:

1. Adkins, Christopher D. Get Ye A Copper Kettle: Appalachia, Moonshine, and a Postcolonial World, ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2017.
2. Grabianowski, Ed. “How Moonshine Works.” HowStuffWorks Science, HowStuffWorks, 8 Mar. 2018, science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/moonshine2.htm.
3. Perkins, Blake. “Moonshiners and Prohibitionists: The Battle Over Alcohol in Southern Appalachia, and: Spirits of just Men: Mountaineers, Liquor Bosses, and Lawmen in the Moonshine Capital of the World (Review).” West Virginia History: A Journal of Regional Studies, vol. 5, no. 2, 2011, pp. 130–134.
4. ReasonTV. “Moonshine: The American Rebel Spirit.” YouTube, YouTube, 25 Mar. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1EAY_IOpTI.
5. ScienceChannel. “How It’s Made- Moonshine.” YouTube, YouTube, 29 Dec. 2010, www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rsiupKxPPQ.
6. “Tim Smith Moonshine.” Tim Smith Moonshine — History of Shine, timsmithmoonshine.com/moonshine.html.