Interested in speaking to people on the Art of Distilling

[W Pappy]

Well the last one to ask this of us was happy to give me details and names so I could check them out.
So I see no reason this one cant do the same, not saying F*** em just saying they need to be more open
if they want me to open up.

[bellybuster]

It's "The Man".

Crap I'm Canadian and this thread has my spider senses tingling. Home Distilling is tolerated here and I for sure wouldn't get involved.
How on earth could a tv show showing illegal activity further the push for legalization. It can only do damage.
There'so only one way to make decent money on tv and it ain't honest documentary, that's for sure.

[Dez]

It's not really a phenomenon rite now just more people are coming out and talking
about it.It's a couple hundred year old culture here in the US, hell OL cousin G.W. was
a distiller.

That's very interesting to know. Why do you reckon more people are coming out now and talking about it? Why not earlier? Is it something to do with the change of law? Do you think shows like Discovery's Moonshine have somehow made it more acceptable or have triggered a wider interest in distilling altogether?

Thanks,
D

[Dez]

Semantics: We're not moonshiners, dammit. We're hobby distillers and I for one would appreciate it if people knew the difference.

tp (waiting for the obvious question)

Hi Tp - thanks the tip. It's important to know the difference as we are still learning about the subject.

In your opinion - why do you do it? Isn't it easier to buy it from the store? What are the pros of making your own alcohol and do they outweigh the danger of being caught? I'm just trying to understand what drives people to do this, other than it being a hobby...

Thanks
D

[Dez]

Dez, You can certainly understand that no one here wants to come out into the light with someone we dont know. I find it curious that you would not use your real name. Everybody on this site wants to get this legalized but no one on this site wants to go to jail.
You have made it so we cant even see who YOU are, and we cant see any of the work you have done in the past.

Hi there,

Thanks for your post and thank you for pointing that out. I can understand why everyone would feel that they can't share much. So to straighten things out, here is more info on me:

I work for a company called Wall to Wall in the UK and we are currently developing a show for the National Geographic channel in US. The company has plenty of experience in dealing with underground subjects, so we understand that discretion is always key with sensitive subjects such as this one. We are still at the beginning stages of our research so we would really like to speak with people who can provide us more information on the subject. We understand that distilling is an art and a skill, so it would be great to show this to the audience, as well as characters who are passionate about their hobby, which I can see from this forum is pretty much everyone here.

We are looking for all types of characters, like I mentioned before, and that's anyone from distilleries who sell to hobby distillers. But one doesn't impact the other, and if anything will draw a line on how different hobby from moonshining is, as one of you pointed out earlier. There is no angle in that we are not trying to portray one as good, or as bad - just simply that for what it is. If this really is an art and a hobby, then that will show on screen...that is if we have enough characters to show that. We work both openly and anonymously, so people who do speak to us don't have to provide us with real names or any info they don't want to share.

If anyone is still interested in helping - I'd love to speak with you over the phone if possible. That way you can get a better idea of the show and we can have a better idea of you.

Feel free to email me your number or email if you prefer to my email address: desislavakadra@walltowall.co.uk
Please bear in mind that we are in the UK, but will try to get in touch at the most convenient time for you.

Thanks guys. I hope this clears thing up

Best,
Dez

[shadylane]

https://twitter.com/desislavakadra" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_to_Wall_(production_company" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow)
http://www.walltowall.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Danespirit]

Thanks for your post and thank you for pointing that out. I can understand why everyone would feel that they can't share much. So to straighten things out, here is more info on me:

I work for a company called Wall to Wall in the UK and we are currently developing a show for the National Geographic channel in US

I normaly welcome new members in here and appriciate what ever they can contribute to this site of positive subjects.
Those few sentences quoted, could have done a big difference in my attitude towards you the first time.
Also comming up with a real name, would have helped your credibly.
I assumed journalists would know how to write and present a concept they have in mind.
So..my apologies for beeing rude.

[Dez]

Thanks shadylane!

Danespirit -yes you are right. Apologies on my side - I am just starting out in the field, so this was a mistake on my part, but will know for next time.

Guys - there is a mistake in my email, so please don't use that one. The correct email is: desislava.kadra@walltowall.co.uk

Thanks,
Dez

[HDNB]

Dez, the why of this is easy. i'll bet the majority of people here are driven by the same fascination that a chef has with food. Sure, you can buy a rotisserie chicken and some pre-cooked hashbrowns at the grocers and fill your gut. But at what expense to your health, quality of life, knowledge and skills?
Chefs search out the best equipment, the finest ingredients and make unique combinations to present their consumers with a plated work of art that appeals to all the senses. Imagine a charbroiled rare Kobi steak being delivered to your table, flambe' on a hot sizzling cast iron pan. Mushrooms in a red wine reduction a side of hot, crisp asparagus in bearnaise with fresh cracked pepper and some of the youngest, freshest most succulent potatoes smothered in fresh creamery butter.

Not everyone can do this, imagine that chef's sense of accomplishment when his patrons oooh and aaahh over the sight, sound, smell, taste and texture of his work (of art).

if i want to be full, i can get a corn dog and suffer for it later. if i want a meal to enjoy with my people...well, you get it.

I'm sure there are mitigating factors that one can explore. Antiestablishmentarianism, frugality, alcoholism, (see i waited until #4 to put that in), curiosity (both scientific and simple), employment, dreams and hopes of entreprenuership and the research required, social bonding (damn easy to make friends) and finally, simply something to do (a hobby to kill time).

if you want to learn "how" start in novice nooby land. builds? There is a thread. Recipes? they are here too. if you want to get to know folks, visit the "off topic" section and you'll see the real people.

Shit, if you are really nice to Steve maybe he'll let you on the property for the S3 in June. Of course, we would all want written guarantees of support for the cause, and anonimity. And shameless promotion of his brand. and before the naysayers jump on me for this idea...a guaranteed positive reenforcement of the hobby by gentlemen and ladies (instead of glorifying a bunch of lawless morons on that other "show") would be an invaluable asset to the cause. and Dez cold get a free trip to 'merica. win/win.

Maybe, just maybe, Dez could show the insanity of the laws that make criminals out of people that combine 3 common legal foodstuffs into a legal product, purify it through a piece of legal copper and make another legal product...because the gooberment doesn't get (additional) tax???

Now, just like everyone else here, you have some research to do. Get your required reading in and all this will make more sense.

[S-Cackalacky]

Dez, welcome to the forums. You should start out here as all new members do - read, read, read. If you're serious about your work and how you do it, you'll want a knowledge base that will allow you to separate fact from fiction. If you REALLY want to know of what you speak, build yourself a still and do what the subjects of your research do - make a drop or two. An honest portrayal can only come from someone who knows what it is to be a paranoid felon and someone who knows the pride and satisfaction of defiantly producing something of superior quality by his own hand. We don't do this to break the law. We do it because we feel it's our God given right to do it.

Good luck to you and stay safe.

Posted while HDNB was posting (and reading my mind).

[ranger_ric]

On the flip side of this, What if they are doing a show like drugs Inc. So they are riding with law enforcement and with the drug dealers. Now this is both scary and comedic. Can you see them finding a "Bubba" in law enforcement. He probably already knows 4 hobby distillers in his county but because TV is there he has to go break one up for the cameras. OR He could get the feds to state on camera that "who cares about those little chickenshit wannabe artists with the still in basement" I am sure Dez is going to poke a stick over into law enforcement also.
I know I would like to see a well done documentary. I would like to see one that dispels the myths about the dangers. Maybe even dig into why those myths exist, i.e. the methanol added to the bootleg whiskey BY the government back in prohibition. To this day most people bring that up about illicit whiskey as the reason to outlaw craft distilling. No One seems to know that that little bit of methanol is in every alcoholic beverage they consume as a byproduct of fermentation. How about they look into the danger of a still blowing up and explain to the naysayers how it happens. What do distillers do to keep that from happening. Way more stills are caught and destroyed by law enforcement than ever blow up (at least I cant find but a handful of news stories over the last 5 years of craft distillers blowing up their stills or burning down their house) Take the myths on with Truth. But as with any documentary the Story they want to tell is told in the editing and the story they don't want out is on the cutting room floor to swept away...

[Dez]

HDMB - many thanks for all of the information provided. I will certainly look into the forums for further information.
S-Cackalacky - many thanks also for your msg. Unfortunately I don't think I have the time to build myself a still, as interesting as it would be, but i'll certainly look into the forums to find out more on the subject.
Ranger_ric - I can assure you that we are not out to get anyone. We just want to find interesting characters passionate about what their hobby.

[shadylane]

Dez
If your looking for interesting characters, you've come the right place.
The members of this forum wish to distill alcohol in the privacy of their home for personal consumption.
We take great pride in what we make and do it in a safe manner.
Our stills are limited to hobby size and we are self policing.
The fasted way to get in trouble here is to suggest an unsafe practice or making alcohol for sale.

[humbledore]

There is another thread on here right now in the Welcome Center. It touches on some truths about the hobby. We have had to learn basic electrical design, mechanical design and fabrication, basic chemistry, design principles like vapor speed and heat transfer, biological components like fermentation, yeast, bacterial infections and so forth. I don't think you come into it expecting all that, not at first. You start it thinking it would be interesting, or fun, and you'd end up with something nice to drink. Instead it turns into a rewarding but complex hobby whose mastery has no real end point and the learning and knowledge building never ends. That's why it's a good hobby.

[shadylane]

It's not a hobby, it's an obsession.

[W Pappy]

It's not a hobby, it's an obsession.

How bad do you want this? To make a simple little pot still will not take much of your time a couple hrs.
3 or 4 days for a wash to finish off in a week you can do your first run and know first hand.
How many people are you looking for?

[woodshed]

Cute little quip but really, all hobbies are obsessions. If not we would not pursue them at this level.
Anyone of you have the ability to help bring this to fruition. Change never happens without a level of defiance.

Talking head snippets do nothing to serve the goal.

[Dez]

Dez
If your looking for interesting characters, you've come the right place.
The members of this forum wish to distill alcohol in the privacy of their home for personal consumption.
We take great pride in what we make and do it in a safe manner.
Our stills are limited to hobby size and we are self policing.
The fasted way to get in trouble here is to suggest an unsafe practice or making alcohol for sale.

That really puts things into perspective. So what about the people who do sell it? Do you think they are also passionate for it, or do it purely for profit? Is that part of the reason why there have been cases with deaths, lead poisoning from moonshine?

Can I ask if the majority of you are from the city or country?

[Dez]

Hi guys,
Are there any Russians, Polish, Finish people in the forum who distill to keep the tradition alive? I know alcohol is a pretty big part of the eastern European tradition too, interesting to explore that side also...

[HDNB]

deaths, lead poisoning from moonshine?

are you part of the government propaganda machine? Moonshine won't cause anymore (or likely less ) deaths than store bought taxed likker. the most likely cause would be acute ethanol toxicity. or rectal bleeding from the government literally taxing you to death.

Do you have any evidence of lead poisioning from moonshine? usually the propaganda points to methanol, which in fact, a glass of store bought oj has been proven to contain more of than your average moonshine. You have to physically add something to moonshine to poison it, it does not get there on it's own.
Understand deaths from tainted or denatured alcohol have been connected to the goverment and a very few unscrupulous profiteers, and even fewer actual psychopaths.
It has no basis in fact in distillation or the hobbiest level of operations.

All of this information is covered at length within the forum.

[Lazarus Long]

So what about the people who do sell it? Do you think they are also passionate for it, or do it purely for profit?

Dez,
We don't discuss the sale of alcohol on the forum by hobbyists distillers and the sale by home distillers is strictly discouraged by the community as a whole. The craft distillers have been licensed to create and sale, but discussion and speculation on the forum of unlicensed sales is against Board rules.

[HDNB]

There is not just a few really smrt people here, with access to to some pretty cool equipment. here is some research for you.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =1&t=12350

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... s#p6902723

the HD Google Search in the blue bar ^^^ can help you find things faster.

[Dez]

deaths, lead poisoning from moonshine?

are you part of the government propaganda machine? Moonshine won't cause anymore (or likely less ) deaths than store bought taxed likker. the most likely cause would be acute ethanol toxicity. or rectal bleeding from the government literally taxing you to death.

Do you have any evidence of lead poisioning from moonshine? usually the propaganda points to methanol, which in fact, a glass of store bought oj has been proven to contain more of than your average moonshine. You have to physically add something to moonshine to poison it, it does not get there on it's own.
Understand deaths from tainted or denatured alcohol have been connected to the goverment and a very few unscrupulous profiteers, and even fewer actual psychopaths.
It has no basis in fact in distillation or the hobbiest level of operations.

All of this information is covered at length within the forum.

Yes for evidence - a number of cases reported in the Georgia Poison center, including one death last year.

Can you elaborate on "tainted or denatured alcohol have been connected to the government". You mean it has been purposely done by the government to bring a bad name to distillers? Do you have evidence for that?

Regarding your comment on oj - do you have a link to back that up? Isn't there a legal limit as to how much alcohol is allowed?

It would be interesting to explore the 'moonshine is more healthy than your store alcohol' angle...

[Dez]

There is not just a few really smrt people here, with access to to some pretty cool equipment. here is some research for you.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =1&t=12350

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... s#p6902723

the HD Google Search in the blue bar ^^^ can help you find things faster.

Thanks HDNB. Although I think that's a little too scientific for me. It would be interesting to get the opinion of a chemist who works with this for the program though.

[HDNB]

i typed "moonshine" into the Georgia poison control website, i got zero hits. i then typed in "lead poisoning" and got some information and warnings, like paint and old water pipes... but nothing connected with moonshine. or poisoning cases, or death.
Are you talking about Georgia USA or Georgia Russia?
can you narrow that down for me? i'd be interested.

here is a link to methanol in fruit juice, one of 134000 hits on google. quick scan yielded this info
"1.14–6.77 and 2.04–10.92 mg/100 mL in fruit juice", compared to the gas chromotography in the above link that found moonshine was at 5mg/L

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar ... 7508000574" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

you would be hard pressed to find someone one here that has not had a fat head and sick belly from commercial likker, yet quality cut craft distilled likker is virtually free from these effects. the reason is simple economics, large distilleries cannot afford to cut 40% of there product and flush it down the drain...which is the average cut among an experienced artisan distiller. This is anecdotal, not empirical evidence...but the facts are out there.
I never meant to imply that ethanol is healthy. it's a poison. drink enough of it long enough it will kill you as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow.

as for the governement denaturing alcohol and allowing it to be consumed... that may well be another disinformation machine at work. I'll see what i can find...i've read it enough times that there has to be a resource pointing to it.

[aquavita]

Dez - Try this link that one of our members (Ranger_ric) found...

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_an ... s_war.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow


Might provide you with some additional information.

[ranger_ric]

I just copied a link Tater found years ago... The thread did get pretty interesting though.

[S-Cackalacky]

Dez - Try this link that one of our members (Ranger_ric) found...

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_an ... s_war.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow


Might provide you with some additional information.

I remember that article from Ranger_ric's recent thread. A little ironic that the gooberment would rather kill people than allow them to drink untaxed likker. Kinda clarifies where their priorities are.

Dez, on a different note. You could probably get some insight into individual personalities here by clicking on individual member names and then searching their posts. might be time consuming, but worth some effort.

[Dez]

i typed "moonshine" into the Georgia poison control website, i got zero hits. i then typed in "lead poisoning" and got some information and warnings, like paint and old water pipes... but nothing connected with moonshine. or poisoning cases, or death.
Are you talking about Georgia USA or Georgia Russia?
can you narrow that down for me? i'd be interested.

Yes, Georgia - US. I spoke with the board directly, so i'm not sure if their reports would be posted on the internet - I doubt it. Not all stories make the news I guess. But they did confirm they get a few cases per year from moonshine poisoning - the ones that contains methanol and lead at least.

Thanks for the link, although it didn't open, but I've found some other stuff on that. I guess it's just typical big companies trying to make money, the same with food and everything else really.

[Dez]

Thanks for the links and tips guys.
S-Cackalacky - I'd love to do that...hopefully when I get some more time to look into that.