re: Agents bust moonshine operation in the Mississippi Delta

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Basically it’s not paying taxes to the man.

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I pretty much say this in my reply and get 13 downvotes, you say it and get 6 upvotes.

People who are making money from illegal activity can actually still claim it on their taxes.

If someone is a bookie... Or a drug dealer, if they report their earnings (or what earning they do report) they are less likely to get busted.. Or if law enforcement decides to bust them for whatever reason, it will not hurt their case..

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How is moonshine different from other legal liquor?

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Guy who makes booze for a living here.

It really comes down to two things.

First, I’ll go on the record and say the system sucks. Remnants of prohibition combined with religious implications and a dose of taxation. That said, the system is what it is.

The first issue is taxation. The US and virtually every other developed nation realizes that sin taxes are very lucrative be it Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or otherwise. Most consumers are blissfully unaware that their alcoholic beverage of choice has been taxed at least 4 times along the way. Sometimes even more. The producer pays taxes at both the State and Federal level. If sold to distribution it may be taxed there too. Your bottle shop or bar pays a tax to be able to sell it. Lastly, you pay sales tax at the time of purchase. Keeping bootleggers in check keeps the State and Federal coffers flush with cash.

The second issue is fairness. As I mentioned earlier, I’m not a fan of the system. Given my preference I’d much rather not have to deal with so many levels of taxation/regulation. But, as a guy who made the investment to go legit; frick those opportunists. Every time a still gets smashed it provides jobs to legitimate businesses with actual employees. If you think they can make the same quality product using copper sheeting, creek water and a propane burner you’ve lost your mind. All they want is quick cash with no real investment and no oversight if their product makes you sick.

If you want to make it at home for personal consumption; more power to you. I’d do the same. If you want to sell, make the commitment to go legit. If your product is that good you’ll have no problem finding investors to get started and customers once you are there.

$20

That's no way to make a living. It was that price 25 years ago.

Didn’t Billy Joe put a frog down her back at the Carrol County picture show?

gonna need another source for this weekend

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How is drinking moonshine asking for trouble? I make moonshine

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The first two problems that come to mind are:

A.) Methanol poisoning. If methanol is not properly removed during the production.
B.) Lead poisoning. Some years back, in Alabama, they had a rash of cases of lead poisoning - caused because the moonshine was produced using old radiators that contained lead or lead soldering that leached into the moonshine.
CDC

I like bar b que

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Botulism mostly.

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nah, i don't think botulism will live through the distilling process or in alcohol. the whole fermentation process makes a hostile environment for it. how often do you hear about home brewers getting botulism?

Pine cone liquor