Moonshiners, are they for real

[Piedy_piper]

Yes, we tend to be real and come all over. My shiner heritage goes back before the Revolutionary war in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia. I'm proud of my heritage and carry on the tradition today and everyday.

[Piedy_piper]

Okay, do you expect a reality studio would authorize a budget for a series that actually depicted the real work that goes into a 24 hour run? The hygiene, sanitation, all the prep work.

[Twoeyedfish]

I really enjoy the scenery and the forest shoots. I know that the episode where the dog "sweetie pie" was bitten by a snake, that part was real. We use the same veterinarian group he took his dog to, and the staff confirmed to me the dog was indeed snake bitten. I also recognize some of the road scenes as real. That makes it at least 2% reality!

[Soft batch]

I wonder if Mark & Digger are setup in the woods behind Sugarlands distillery?

[frunobulax]

Did ya ever notice those "hillbillys" are all driving really nice brand new trucks?

[still_stirrin]

Did ya ever notice those "hillbillys" are all driving really nice brand new trucks?

Amazing isn’t it? Josh drives a new F-350. Not bad for a “moonshiner” who has a hard time getting anything made. The tv industry is treating him a lot better than all of you natives around there.
ss

[Twoeyedfish]

Did ya ever notice those "hillbillys" are all driving really nice brand new trucks?

The REAL ones that live around me drive new ones too.

[Oldvine Zin]

I have taken part on a couple of documentaries and reality-tv type shows.

Not a single thing they showed was real. The only purpose of show-biz is entertainment.

That's only a small sample size of my own experience, but I can't imagine the rest of it is much different.

I also work in the biz that we make shit believable to the TV watchers,the magic of show biz.

stay safe
OVZ

[cob]

I have taken part on a couple of documentaries and reality-tv type shows.

Not a single thing they showed was real. The only purpose of show-biz is entertainment.

That's only a small sample size of my own experience, but I can't imagine the rest of it is much different.

I also work in the biz that we make shit believable to the TV watchers,the magic of show biz.

stay safe
OVZ

It is amazing what can be done with a pallet of 1x2's and a pallet of 1/8" luan

cob former member of the art dogs.

[dunluce]

It's about as real as the ice blue crystal meth was on Breaking Bad.

[Kareltje]

Did ya ever notice those "hillbillys" are all driving really nice brand new trucks?

Amazing isn’t it? Josh drives a new F-350. Not bad for a “moonshiner” who has a hard time getting anything made. The tv industry is treating him a lot better than all of you natives around there.
ss

I wondered: everytime we see them coming around in a car, they have another one. I do not know if these are new ones, but different ones they are.
Now you solve my problem.

I guess the same goes for the sheets of copper and the new stills they acquire.

[SassyFrass]

I reckon being a reality tv show actor pays a whole lot better than being a "moonshiner". I never met a real shiner that didnt have another job. Most of the ones I knew back in the day, were farmers, raising tobacco, corn, etc... Farming didnt pay all the bills so that's why these guys made and sold likker. To make ends meet and feed the family.
SF

[Oldvine Zin]

Did ya ever notice those "hillbillys" are all driving really nice brand new trucks?

Amazing isn’t it? Josh drives a new F-350. Not bad for a “moonshiner” who has a hard time getting anything made. The tv industry is treating him a lot better than all of you natives around there.
ss

This episode sponsored by Ford.

Stay safe
OVZ

[Yonder]

I reckon being a reality tv show actor pays a whole lot better than being a "moonshiner". I never met a real shiner that didnt have another job. Most of the ones I knew back in the day, were farmers, raising tobacco, corn, etc... Farming didnt pay all the bills so that's why these guys made and sold likker. To make ends meet and feed the family.
SF

All the way back to the 1700’s. They’d take their extra grain, what they couldn’t sell, and make a product they could sell. Was G. Washington’s first big challenge as president.

[Deplorable]

Then Brother Washington taxed the distillers, leading to the whiskey rebellion.

[SassyFrass]

Then Brother Washington taxed the distillers, leading to the whiskey rebellion.

Exactly...

[SassyFrass]

I am not condoning this show for anything except entertainment.

Just noticed something while watching a rerun of this show...the guy that built the Mason jar flute has a big mural in his trucks back window. I think it said "Tennessee moonshiners". Hmmm...more advertising for various businesses? Ain't that the company that makes those ridiculous jar thumpers?
Just an observation on my part.
SF

[jog666]

I am not condoning this show for anything except entertainment.

Just noticed something while watching a rerun of this show...the guy that built the Mason jar flute has a big mural in his trucks back window. I think it said "Tennessee moonshiners". Hmmm...more advertising for various businesses? Ain't that the company that makes those ridiculous jar thumpers?
Just an observation on my part.
SF

I noticed something on the back glass last time I saw an episode. Didnt pay enough attention to give a flip.

[Soft batch]

The teaser for next week's episode mentioned Tater's Birdwatchers recipe.

[SassyFrass]

Maybe I'm wrong, but...quite a few of the recipes those folks use seem to be very similar to many of the recipes in T&T.
Hmmm...I'm pretty sure the producers are probably lurking on here, looking for new stuff.
JMO and I may be way off base.
SF

[Jmac87]

The show is hear say. If you look into it ever person on the show is linked to legal distilleries master distiller is sugarland which is jim tom mark digger and tickle. The guy who had his car blown up is something dog distillery they all have craft licence and are on private land its a sjow but there is bits here and there.....mike and jerry are now making birdwatcher wash

[TDick]

Wasn't sure whether to post this or not and if so, where.
I watch Moonshiners, actually it's how I got interested and ended up here.
I always record it so I can fast forward through a lot of the bullshit but I do like Mark & Digger.
In fact I BELIEVE they partnered with Jim Tom in either starting or buying the Sugarlands Distillery in Gatlinburg.
Smart idea for some rubes in overalls.

NOW, I recently noticed there is a Facebook Group, "Friends Who Like Mark & Digger"
I joined just so I could peek in & see what's going on. I have NEVER posted anything at all there!
And I understand the "Oh we were in Gatlinburg and got this picture made with both of them!" I get it.
But ALSO, pardon me, you'd be fucking AMAZED!
FBers with real names & locations asking questions about problems THEY are having with a run or showing photos of their rigs & runs.
I'm sure many of us are more paranoid than necessary but then again it only takes one screwup.

Here's the latest from Colorado.

"Steven Richards
Feb 12 at 11:42 pm
"Even my still hand loves it! Shine on!"

BTW Newcomers - Don't Even Think About It!

[juana_b]

Thanks a lot, HD Forums! Next, you'll probably tell me Santa Claus and Pro-wrestling aren't real.

Sigh... you've already done that:

You mean real like WWE and breast implants or REAL like milk and cheese? lol

I hate to break it to you but there is no Santa Claus and there is no reality TV.

[Hillbilly Popstar]

FBers with real names & locations asking questions about problems THEY are having with a run or showing photos of their rigs & runs.
I'm sure many of us are more paranoid than necessary but then again it only takes one screwup.



BTW Newcomers - Don't Even Think About It!

It has never ceased to amaze me how people on this forum somehow think their identity is protected because we hide behind a screen name and an email address.

This is the internet. If the fed were interested in what we do, they'd have no problem finding out who we are. The fact is, if you're not selling booze and you're not making HUGE quantities, they probably just don't care.

[bluefish_dist]

I think the truth is that the current state of law enforcement in the USA is that they don’t have enough people to do much of anything. They simply cannot go after everyone, not enough people or time. Look at how often a commercial dsp gets inspected. People say it’s about every 5 years. When we opened ours, we never saw a federal agent in 4 years. We did have a local swing by to walk through, but no real paperwork review.

While not alcohol related, California has a department to confiscate guns from convicted felons. In 2008 there were about 10k people on the list today it’s over 20k and growing. They can’t keep up. I am sure the same goes for making alcohol. Just too many people to get everyone. They may bust a few, but most will go on with life, never seeing a Leo.

[Bushman]

I agree bluefish also unless we had a lot of injuries due to the involvement I don’t see it as a priority.

[Shadowride69]

I wonder if Mark & Digger are setup in the woods behind Sugarlands distillery?

No they are not I've looked lol I go to Gatlinburg all the time we are 3 hours away.

[jward]

The fact is, if you're not selling booze and you're not making HUGE quantities, they probably just don't care.

I agree. I live in a city with a police department, but I asked a local sheriff in a dry county. They said someone making some homemade beer or liquor for their own consumption was not interesting to them, but anyone making meth would be hunted down. I would suggest that if one remain uninteresting to law enforcement they will have better things to do then worry about ones still.

[Hillbilly Popstar]

I live across the street from a detective. Our daughters play together and when we first moved in he walked into my backyard looking for his girl while I was in the middle of a run. I stopped him and basically just said "Umm... im making corn whiskey back here, is that gonna be a problem?"

His response: "Are you about to rob a store or a bank with a weapon? Then I don't care."

We see news articles on here from time to time of people that get busted, but it seems every single one I have read involved some obvious intent to distribute.

I wonder how many actual hobby level distillers who are only making for personal consumption have ever been busted, if any...?

[stillanoob]

In my rural area I know the Sheriff's Deputies by their first name and they know mine. I was on the VFD and search and rescue team for years. If one came by and saw my rig I'd just offer 'em a drink. They know I am nothing for them to be concerned about.