Black Forest Effect

[Ajax99]

Currently reading a fairly entertaining book on the history of Bourbon titled – Bourbon, A History of the American Spirit by Dane Huckelbridge. A lot of interesting facts. For instance, President Harding apparently kept a private stash of top shelf Kentucky bourbon hidden away in the White House during prohibition. Cabinet meetings might well have been referring to the liquor cabinet I'm guessing. Another interesting tidbit in the book – “ Smoke wasn’t the only thing that gave away moonshiners – the process of making whiskey also turns the bark of nearby trees black, something Prohibition agents knew to look out for. Visit distilleries in Kentucky today and one can’t help but notice the miniature Black Forest that surrounds each and every one.” What’s up with that – high CO2 levels? Might want to take a peek at the trees next to your brewing shed.

[BoomTown]

“ Smoke wasn’t the only thing that gave away moonshiners – the process of making whiskey also turns the bark of nearby trees black, something Prohibition agents knew to look out for. Visit distilleries in Kentucky today and one can’t help but notice the miniature Black Forest that surrounds each and every one.” What’s up with that – high CO2 levels? Might want to take a peek at the trees next to your brewing shed.

The culprit is a fungus called Baudoinia Compniacensis. It thrives on the angels share.