Why do you distill???

[nova564t]

Yes, I'm in Colorado, we have visited several micro-distilleries and have been offered help and advise from the people who run them. True there are lots of hoops to jump through, but we hope to be able to retire from our real jobs.

[goinbroke2]

EXCELLENT! (proof that legalising this hobby can have tax benefits from future entrprenuers)
If you haven't already, check out the American Distillers Institute http://adiforums.com/index.php?act=idx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
They have all the info and others in the same boat.

Good luck


(sorry for not staying on topic)

[beelah]

I do it because I like to learn new things, and rather than pay the "man", I will make it/build it/cook it, what ever.

I also come froma long line of bootleggers, independent thinkers, civil liberatians, and tax evaders, so I guess I come by it naturally.

Hoem made liquor was the first liquor I ever drank and have always loved.

I have drunk the expensive vodaka, scotch, whisky, rum and gin, but I still liek the buzz I get from good old moon-shine.

Donlt get me wrong, I like all the above,and if I can ever get close to reproducing those classic tastes and flavours, I will be more than happy.

However, the classic buzz I get from a shot of fresh "white lightning" is something I will always love.

And you know, I have read here where you have fewer headaches when you drink your own, and I have sure noticed that.

I suppsoe it is throwing out those first few forehots full of methanol is what does it as well and being carefull on the head ands and tails cuts.

It works for me

[ThrownOlive]

I'm doing this because my (then girlfriend) wife brought it up and then dismissed it as impossible. Too difficult to do and woefully dangerous. Then that part of my brain that can only ask "oh yeah?!" kicked in. I like a challenge and as I had never soldered, filed, peened or flared a bit of copper--building a still seemed like the most reasonable thing to do.

Also, because I am allergic to beer and grew tired of all of my hipster friends making fancy shit beer while I just twiddled my thumbs. Now I can bring my ball and play.

After getting into distilling and reading more on the history of it, I do it now to try my best to keep this craft alive and work against gov't policy that has outlived its intended purpose. The revolutionary war is over, those debts have been paid and yet, we're still barred from giving the angels their share. By no means am I a believer in "small gov't" at all costs, I just think liberty should be found wherever possible. Both in our politics and where/how a drink we enjoy at home is made.

[Black Eye]

Because I have better luck making liquor than licking my own balls

[Moose_755]

Because I like spending time at home. It's good thinking time, & an interesting hobby to create something tasty out of other daily products.

[Daznz]

Started brewing at the age of 15 (45 now I think ) in my Fathers shed wine and beer I just love brewing and creating then got into distilling now I have found this site
I realized I didn't know s**t about distilling and I'm loving what I am learning you guys Rock !

Daza.

[Samohon]

Because I can produce an all round better beverage than what can be mass produced by the commercial guy's...

[Black Eye]

All joking aside. First it was something interesting to learn. Then it became the satisfaction of being able to make something i can buy in the stores myself. Now its that satisfaction along with the pride I feel when i see an eye light up after sipping it. It's like being a craftsman in any other hobby... seeing that project from raw material to finished product is a real sense of accomplishment.

[Rivver]

Although I'm only in my late 30's, I've always been told through out my life that I was an "old soul" or I was born a 100 years too late. I love the old ways, and I think they are dissapearing at an alarming rate. To me it's a time honored tradition (it has skipped a few gens in my family) I know both of my G-pas made their own, and my great g'pas did also. I have to think that they are looking down on me and they are proud of what I'm doing, and probably saying "that's not how you do it" at the same time. LOL

At the same time it's sitting around a table with some buddies sippin and talking about how it tastes. I love me a good whiskey.

[Jimbo]

Im a cheap bastard with expensive tastes.

[DAD300]

+1 on a lot of stuff others have said.

Because I can...make better than I can buy, make it cheaper than I can buy, I know what's in it and not in it, I like to drink and I like a drink that won't make me sick !

It is also a valuable learned skill. A skill that some day may save a life, provide for a life or just make my life better.

Anything you do yourself is better than buying commercial!

[Bayou-Ruler]

I think it is fun, and it is great talking with all the friendly folks on the internet about it.

What about you?

I enjoy the process and the science.

[BrewBoy42]

I'm interested in doing things myself and preserving history. And I think the science is cool! It's also unique.

[Truckinbutch]

I've not found a single thing posted that I could add to or leave out . Guess my response is 'refer to posts above .'

[carnica]

Because the good, or even decent, commercial stuff is likely to go up quite a lot in price. Look what has happened to Bordeaux wine since the Chinese got a taste for it. And it's interesting and fun.

[gonagin58]

Because the government says I can't and I'm sort of a rebel.

Because my granddad spent 2 years in prison in the 30s for bootlegging

Because it's fun

Because I don't like paying taxes on booze.

[MaStiKa45]

I distill, therefore I am.

[Acutabove]

Hello all,
I have been doing this for awhile. I do it because I am ALWAYS invited to the better BYOB parties!!

Acutabove

[Soft batch]

+1 on the BYOB parties... Some are disappointed when I don't bring any!

That feeling when you take a sip and say to yourself, "Damm, this is good!"

[redmud]

Its not why? Its why not? Besides the only reason the Govt doesn't want you to make likker is the loss of tax revenue. Can I get a medical likker permit please my arthritis is acting up.

[NZChris]

I love the challenges and the results, and if I have grown the ingredients, that's even better.

Been doin it for thirty years, ain't bored yet.

[googe]

Initially to make cheap booze, then I was doing for the building and the theory, now its to make cheap booze again

[Beerbrewer]

Seemed like a natural progression from beer making.

[S-Cackalacky]

I'm an artist (painter). My original motivation was to produce a high proof, clean alcohol to use as part of my painting process - it's a solvent for acrylic paint. Been using Everclear for this purpose for a few years, but it isn't available where I live - have to drive over 100 miles to get the high proof stuff.

I don't drink much, but when I do, I drink rum and like a glass of Amaretto once-in-awhile. Even though I haven't finished my build yet, I feel like I'm hooked on the hobby and my main motivation may have changed a bit.

The art thing may seem a little sacrilegious, but I promise I'll use turbo yeast.

Just sayin',
S-C

[Mr Shine]

Because happiness comes from productive work. Producing stuff that's better than store-bought by myself at home makes me happy.

That and it'll be valuable when the SHTF.

And also... see above posts (all very good).

[jarheadshiner]

I've wanted to try this for years and found this site last year. Gave me the knowledge to finally give it a shot and man am I glad I did! One of the most enjoyable hobbies I have that involves this much work. It's alot like playing an instrument because it can never be truly mastered. It's also rewarding because if you stay at it you can make a damn fine spirit tailored to your specific tastes. Everything tastes better when you make it yourself too, whether it's actually worth a damn or not!