Snuffy Smith has died.

[The flint stones]

Just because one doesn't make as much, is a red neck, isn't as educated or what ever than the elites on this site doesn't mean they don't deserve respect and the right to be here.
I think Shakespeare said it best, one of my fathers favorites.

Give thy thoughts no tongue,

Nor any unproportion'd thought his act.

Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar;

The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,

Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel;

But do not dull thy palm with entertainment

Of each new-hatch'd, unfledg'd comrade. Beware

Of entrance to a quarrel, but, being in,

Bear 't that th' opposed may beware of thee.

Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice;

Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.

Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,

But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy;

For the apparel oft proclaims the man.

Neither a borrower, nor a lender be;

For loan oft loses both itself and friend,

And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.

This above all: to thine own self be true,

And it must follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man.

[goose eye]

flintstone don't let them ole boys bother you. they'll never get it an they dam sure aint worth your time worryin bout it.

so im tole

[wv_hillbilly]

What's wrong being "redneck" It has nothing to do with being poor or dirty. In my mind, the way you are using the term is very disrespectful, and derogatory. No different than using the "N" word. Just because I choose to wear dirty boots and bib overalls, doesn't make you in your khakis and polos any better than me.

[MountainWilliam Bill]

What's wrong being "redneck" It has nothing to do with being poor or dirty. In my mind, the way you are using the term is very disrespectful, and derogatory. No different than using the "N" word. Just because I choose to wear dirty boots and bib overalls, doesn't make you in your khakis and polos any better than me.

No disrespect intended, wv. I and others were making reference to those that are willfully using risky techniques and materials that endanger themselves and others. I know many a rednecked friend who do things their own way without regard for their own safety or the safety of others. Doing things the right way requires a willing person to learn proper methods and have a sense of humility. It also requires an expenditure for the right materials and equipment. I personally spent less than $100 dollar for my all-copper still, and it has all new parts. That isn't too much for anybody.

And some of us wear both bibs and khakis. Gotta make a living with all of our book learning to pay back student loans!

[rad14701]

I've known some pretty rich rednecks over the years... It has nothing to do with how one dresses or how much money they have... It has more to do with how they act in private and in public... Mannerisms, refinement, knowing how to talk in different surroundings, etc...

For example, I know a woman that cleans up real nice but I'm fearful of running into her in public because no matter how dolled up she gets she acts and talks like a trucker no matter where she is or who she's around... She's a redneck clear to the bone... In fact she's so redneck she almost borders on Neanderthal... But she's a good person if you overlook those overbearing traits...

Let's not drift further off topic than we need to here...

[Truckinbutch]

I'm a mostly self educated resident of the Appalachian Mountains . Started out in a two path log house with a shake roof . One path was to the spring and the other was to the outhouse . I was 11 ,or thereabouts , before I found out my name wasn't 'Get Wood' . The desire to improve my situation is what led me to the point I am now .
The wonderful information available here has enabled me to learn to do things in the most safe and professional manner possible . That is my goal . The way I am regarded by others on account of how I speak or dress
means little to me . I go to bed each night/fall asleep in my chair reading here, knowing that I have been the best person I could be the entire day .
And, Lord , forgive me for all them jokes about those starvin little ...............................................................

[S-Cackalacky]

I've known some pretty rich rednecks over the years... It has nothing to do with how one dresses or how much money they have... It has more to do with how they act in private and in public... Mannerisms, refinement, knowing how to talk in different surroundings, etc...

For example, I know a woman that cleans up real nice but I'm fearful of running into her in public because no matter how dolled up she gets she acts and talks like a trucker no matter where she is or who she's around... She's a redneck clear to the bone... In fact she's so redneck she almost borders on Neanderthal... But she's a good person if you overlook those overbearing traits...

Let's not drift further off topic than we need to here...

People are who they are - whatever flavor or character they may possess. Given the choice between sophisticated, arrogant terd or kind, compassionate redneck, I think I would prefer the company of the latter.

Just sayin',
S-C

[rgarry]

Well, I'm a down to earth professional who has a lot to lose if I ever get caught. I Abied by the "rules we live by". Today my father in law said " you have to stop doing this". He is worried if I ever get caught. However, before he left he asked for a bottle. I enjoy this hobby for the quality of spirit I can produce. The same reason I brew beer. I wish this was legal. I also learnt about safety from homedistiller. I write my congressman ever year. I go so far as suggesting a "license" where safety is preached. I guess license is not correct word but educational requirement.

[S-Cackalacky]

Well, I'm a down to earth professional who has a lot to lose if I ever get caught. I Abied by the "rules we live by". Today my father in law said " you have to stop doing this". He is worried if I ever get caught. However, before he left he asked for a bottle. I enjoy this hobby for the quality of spirit I can produce. The same reason I brew beer. I wish this was legal. I also learnt about safety from homedistiller. I write my congressman ever year. I go so far as suggesting a "license" where safety is preached. I guess license is not correct word but educational requirement.

You say, "I write my congressman ever year.". How do you go about that? I assume you do it anonymously. Do you use a bogus email address, or snail-mail, or some other? Do you have a form letter that you send each year, or is each one new and original?

I'm asking because I would like to start doing this myself. Do you also write to your state legislators? Seems that this might be even more effective - visa vi the Colorado/Washington marijuana initiatives.

S-C

[Cutt]

Ya'll were arguing over a reality show? Straight up? Very little on television is reality. Reality sucks to watch. (America's Funniest Home Videos being the exception.) Even naked people running around some jungle, beach or rainforrest. Even if they made one about the top female porn stars would be boring. (Don't argue cause you know they'd blurr out the good stuff. So keep the lotion and tissues in the bathroom.) I enjoyed the documentary "The Last Run" and that's what peaked my interest. Now we have "Hatfields and McCoys:White lightining". Just how stupid is the american television watcher? That feud was over before West Virginia and Kentucky had paved roads.

[BlackSOL]

Just keep in mind I'm tired, stressed out BEYOND recognition....BUT:

I believe WE need to focus on what OUR intentions are:

1. Legalize the HOBBY we are doing.
2. PROVE it can be done SAFELY.
3. We're not out to jeapordize our families/friends/neighbors OVER IT


Honestly, I see it as this: If we ain't selling it, and we keep it safe and with friends and family, MY belief is that it should be considered as a hobby like building your own JET MODEL AIRCRAFT (just friggin YOUTUBE it 'n you'll get what I'm saying if your not familiar with it, and YES, you don't get the engines made right, they can and WILL BLOW UP IN YOUR FACE)....same as our hobby.

I BELIEVE WE need to establish what we are doing as a HOBBY...just like building our own jet copy on a smaller scale, and show WE REALIZE THE POTENTIAL DANGER, and are doing our best to make it safe for ALL who wish to pursue it.


(sorry if off a bit, but jeesh, we GOT to stick together, or we fry given the laws we reside under at the moment...and though new, I'm standing with the 'Ol Boys') ...


SAFE FOR ALL, and as a hobby, and for personal enjoyment of something we made ourselves, and take pride in what we do......

just my miniscule participation, but MY view as well.

[just sayin]

Forty five years ago there was a great chance that I could kill myself and many others when I turn 16 and was finally of age to legally drive my Dad's 66 Chevy pickup on the public highways. My state in their "wisdom" said "Nay!, not until you have the studied this book and passed a written test to demonstrate you have a working knowledge of our traffic laws." Only then will we allow you to have a learners permit. With a learners permit I could drive, but only with a licensed driver to mentor me. Once I had actually learned to drive the old Chevy, I brought it back to the State Police barracks, they inspected it to make sure it was road worthy, then and only then they gave me a driver's test to see if I could actually drive it safely. Only after I proven I knew what I was doing would they allow me to pay the fee for a license to drive. They also made me show proof of insurance to cover the mayhem I might get myself into.

It kind of p!ssed me off at the time, "I am a free American with God given rights, I should have the right to drive without going through all this crap and buying a license!" That being said I passed my test and have had to renew it periodically all these years. I have had a few fender benders but, thank the Lord, I never have hurt myself or anyone else.

The State did indeed have wisdom after all. By making me study and prove myself they ended up helping keeping me much safer than I would have been otherwise. Their continued testing also gives me a measure of assurance today when I see kid that looks like he might be all of 13 years old piloting his Dad's 5000 pound SUV toward me on the other side of highway may actually stay on his side of the road.

Now to bring this story to it's application to our home distillation hobby. I would jump at the opportunity to take a test proving I had a solid understanding of the process, have my gear inspected for safety, proving it was safe: safe from fire and explosion; all copper and/or stainless; open to the atmosphere; no unsafe materials. If I don't get a high enough score give me a learner's permit and hook me up with a mentor and even require that I submit a jar of finished product for analysis.

If it would make me legal, allow me to come out of the shadows and allow me to openly discuss my hobby and give me braggin' rights about the quality of what I have finally learned to craft I would jump at the opportunity to pay a reasonable fee for a license or call it a "tax permit" permitting distilling "X" gallons per adult/year for personal use. It would not bother me much more than having to pay for my drivers license.

Training, mentoring, and gear safely inspections might even be handled by "registered distillers clubs" the way our state farms out licensing professionals to professional societies. The forums may even be able to propose the content of a written exam. There is so much peer tested knowledge on the boards of our distillers forums, literally thousands of years of combined experience.

Can you just imagine…… "Oh, I would love to go with you to visit your Great Aunt Tilly today, Hun. But don't you remember I am teaching the newbs my "Collection, Airing and Cuts" class today down at our distiller's club."

It might take away the little bit of thrill of doing something "extra" legal, but just look at what happened to home brewing after Jimmy Carter signed the bill freeing our beer and wine making brothers. I would trade outlaw for legal any day of the week………Just Sayin'

[drinkingdog]

+1 just sayin

[MitchyBourbon]

just sayin,

I'm with you, I would happily jump through most any hoop to make our hobby legal. I just don't believe that the rules that make it illegal are based on reason.

I can buy alcohol, the government approves of hard liquor for consumption.
I can apply for a licence to make alcohol for fuel, the gov believes its safe to produce.
I can ferment grain for beer and fruit for wine, the gov believes this is safe to consume, they are not afraid of lost taxes.

But if you boil, freeze or use any process to concentrate the alcohol in beer or wine it is illegal.

This is... irrational.

[just sayin]

MitchyB

I agree with all that you said. It is irrational, but it is the "Gubber"ment after all......Just Sayin'

[Johnny813]

BUSHMAN, " allowed us to educate " BUuuuuuullllllllll $hit!
Anytime ive seen someone ask for Info/advice on here they get smarta$$/negative responses!
I know alot of "shiners" and all, I do mean all have said this samething! This is not a hospitable place for
noobs to ask questions!
I expect a LOT of flack for sayings but go ahead! Most of the people that find this place do alot of reading before asking a question! Yet this is when you get the "we're not going to tell you, we're not doing it for you, go educate yourself" response!

All of you should be happy that people get on here and ask question! You guys need to be happy that noobs have taken an intrest in this hobby! I love to teach people about this, because I know I'm playing a roll in passing this on to the next generation! Everyone here should keep this fact in mind when a question is asked!

Shine on.....

[Beerbrewer]

BUSHMAN, " allowed us to educate " BUuuuuuullllllllll $hit!
Anytime ive seen someone ask for Info/advice on here they get smarta$$/negative responses!
I know alot of "shiners" and all, I do mean all have said this samething! This is not a hospitable place for
noobs to ask questions!
I expect a LOT of flack for sayings but go ahead! Most of the people that find this place do alot of reading before asking a question! Yet this is when you get the "we're not going to tell you, we're not doing it for you, go educate yourself" response!

All of you should be happy that people get on here and ask question! You guys need to be happy that noobs have taken an intrest in this hobby! I love to teach people about this, because I know I'm playing a roll in passing this on to the next generation! Everyone here should keep this fact in mind when a question is asked!

Shine on.....

I'm a beginner and have never been flamed on here for lack of knowledge, I suppose the main thing that people on here do is try to ensure that safety is the main concern and I have already seen a thread on here today where it looks like the distiller is putting themselves in a lot of danger.

All I did was search for stuff that I had questions about and usually found the answers I was looking for. Plus I rather enjoy reading through the threads and the stories people have to tell.

[goose eye]

johnny 813 id like to see your math

so im tole

[Bushman]

BUSHMAN, " allowed us to educate " BUuuuuuullllllllll $hit!
Anytime ive seen someone ask for Info/advice on here they get smarta$$/negative responses!
I know alot of "shiners" and all, I do mean all have said this samething! This is not a hospitable place for
noobs to ask questions!
I expect a LOT of flack for sayings but go ahead! Most of the people that find this place do alot of reading before asking a question! Yet this is when you get the "we're not going to tell you, we're not doing it for you, go educate yourself" response!

All of you should be happy that people get on here and ask question! You guys need to be happy that noobs have taken an intrest in this hobby! I love to teach people about this, because I know I'm playing a roll in passing this on to the next generation! Everyone here should keep this fact in mind when a question is asked!

Shine on.....

You have 5 total posts which I went back and read every post. I have not commented once on anything you have directly written so not sure where you are coming from. Very seldom do I ask people to go back and read unless it is covered better in an area than I can do it myself from memory. Stick around a while and you will see the same questions pop up a thousand times that are covered in the required reading when first joining this forum. I am sorry you have the feelings you do!

[pistachio_nut]

I would prefer to not have any government employee certify my equipment or give me a test. Do not invite the Man into your life. First it's this, then it's that. I like that I can bring my pressure cooker to the county extension and have them test the pressure, that's fine and I'll pay my $5 to get it done. It's voluntary. I prefer not to blow myself up so I research what I need to do and then I do it.

I have been open numerous times about what a safety hazard I have been throughout my growth in this hobby. What I haven't said often enough is that I had an ABC fire extinguisher handy at all times. I never hurt anybody or caused any damage to property, I had a number of near misses. Nothing that would have blown up my house.

If there was an opportunity to have my product tested for this or that by somebody who had the expertise to teach me something I would GLADLY avail myself. I am not proud of anything that I have done wrong.

I have had education in the area of microbiology, physics, chemistry, and other subjects that are a part of this hobby. Unfortunately I know nothing about metalwork and I'm not interested in pursuing that part of things. I have way too much going on to take that up as well. That said I would LOVE to be able to purchase a commercially manufactured still that did what it said it would do and use it according to the manufacturer's technically correct and thoroughly explained directions. I would pay more on top of that to be able to call technical support and get further information from an educated and scientifically trained expert.

Today my time is worth much more than it was when I got into this hobby. I lose money every time I run my still. In a year, my pay should roughly double. When that happens I would be much better off in a financial sense buying this particular bottle of Courvoisier than distilling a sugar wash. Guess what? I prefer doing it myself. My time, my money, my property.

http://www.bevmo.com/Shop/ProductDetail ... /_/R-4-264" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

A few years ago I realized that making my own beef/bacon/mushroom stock to make the best Ramen noodles cost me about $13 a bowl when I factored in my time. Well, I really like a kick ass bowl of Ramen noodles (no really) so I decided that if this is something I really enjoy then it's worth it to me. I don't think I could actually pay that anywhere close to where I live. The most expensive Ramen noodles around me are my own. They're pretty damn good, though.

As it is, I have a shelf with eight books on it and ten years of making crap, followed by a few years of dedicated reading and research to learn how to do what I wanted to do. I'm done making crap. I like my juice much better now. My plan over the next five years or so is to get into brandies. That's what's tickling me. No plans to go commercial, this is just a hobby for me. I don't give my juice as gifts, don't sell, don't talk about it at all now that I've moved to a new place and nobody knows about my hobby. I went totally dark. It's just my back patio, my basement, and me. I don't need an ACORN employee coming around to "certify" anything.

I don't want the government certifying my turkey chili, my light bulbs, my catalytic converter, my child rearing practices, my hours of sleep, or any other damn thing. My wife and I homeschool our children because I don't think a government-run indoctrination facility has any business with my children's minds. I have tons of licenses hung up on my wall and lawyers to vouch for all kinds of things, and I pay fees that I never thought of for the most basic things that permit me to work. Soon I will have three more regulatory agencies breathing down my neck and several new file cabinets to fill with documentation for things that are basic common sense. I'm surprised they don't weigh my food and then weigh my shit. Lord help us all if that ever comes to pass.

To me this is about understanding the basics of what I consume. I want to know, to the finest granularity of detail available, just exactly what is going on with my food and my drink. I want to make my own shine on my own terms, and that's what I'm going to do.

[Captain Run-A Muck]

This is a great topic. I've enjoyed reading all the posts and like Bushman I'm on the fence with Moonshiners. For one, I was planning on doing this hobby for the last ten years but my life then was sailing and having a still onboard a boat just won't work. When I became a landlubber I bought a still and then a year later someone told me about the TV show. I don't watch much TV and I finally, like 6 months later, found it on discovery I think. I set the DVR to record it and when I finally got around to watching it, which was two years after my buying a still, I saw it was all about entertainment and who can act the most stupid. I mean, waking around with a Bud in one hand all day long is pretty ridiculous to anybody but a drunken sailor.

I look for the day we can quit hiding out for this hobby. Maybe something will come out of this show. One can only hope.

Cheers!!!

I agree.... I've had my small pot still a little over a year or so and recently put together a 20 gallon copper pot and 4 gallon thumper.
RE: The moonshiners, it is just entertainment and not really about us home hobbyist. I personally know Tim and Tickle and Tim has been to my home for a little sampling. I've met Spencer and Don Hood also. Those guys were just picked to make for some TV entertainment after Popcorn passed. Most everything on these shows are staged for entertainment purpose and a true hobbyist knows this. I'm sure a lot of the new found interest is spun off from the series. As far as this being good or bad, that remains to be seen. They sure do leave a lot of stuff out though!
Just getting in on the action here and keeping it (neutral) I just love this forum!

You can make chicken salad out of chicken shit but you can never get it to taste quite as good as the corn it started out as.