Paranoid? Relax!

[Broken Jug]

If you’re a newbie or just wanting to get into this hobby but are paranoid about getting caught and losing your freedom (prison), relax. As they say, “don’t tell don’t sell.”

The only people I have heard of that got busted in my area, got busted because they were selling their shine.
Be discreet and you’ll be fine. Above all, NEVER SELL. Even trading shine in return for something can be considered selling.

When I first got into this hobby, I was VERY paranoid. I was so paranoid that I was trying to find places to hind my still and thumper so if the ATF raided me, they wouldn’t find anything other than beer making stuff.

I was so paranoid that I thought about hiding my still up in a tree somewhere on the property. I even asked my brother in-law if I could hide it in his shed. He lived approx 20 miles from me.

That’s been many years ago. Now, I’m totally relaxed and don’t worry about it. As I said, be discreet and don’t sell or trade your shine for anything and you’ll be fine.

For other seasoned distillers, please share your story of being paranoid when you first got into the hobby.

[jonnys_spirit]

Ex spouses and acquaintances can be an issue. Have a plan to hide your shit and also do some home brewing and/or wine making. When someone out's you and you get the visit you might get a heads up and be able to mitigate the breach.

This happened to me and I had a visitor but I was also alerted and had maybe two days to action my plan which included getting rid of several bags of grains, dumping jugs of likker (along with tears), dumping backset, dismantling the still and hiding it under insulation around the backside of the attic, and staging all my wine making equipment for the dog-and-pony or smoke-and-mirrors depending on your outlook.

Limit who you share info with and consider everyone a potential narc.

It's all good until it isn't and just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not watching you.

An ounce of prevention is a cure after all. Have a well thought out plan - it can make everything easier on you.

Cheers,
jonny

[Forest Beekeeper]

Dont sell.

If you were busted, the offense you would be charged with is avoiding taxes.

The IRS must build a case against you saying that you sold X amount which would have had Y amount of taxes due. They must prove that you sold product.

Never sell any of it.

[Reefer1]

+1 on these comments, i was the same broken, my first experience with stilling, i had some elderberry wine i made which turned out crap, long story short, i made a small still at work decided to run, after a hour or so knock on the front door, my house was smelling very alcaholy, wifey opened the door 3 coppers stood there, turned out some one had been found dead down the road and they was investigating, wife managed to fob them off.
Scared the bejesus out of me so i gave it up. Lol
17 years later, i'm back stillin, i gotta be careful my house/shed is right under the flight path of the copper chopper, so shed door shut especially when i hear those blades spinning, here in the uk not sure what would happen if you got caught, but ye, no selling, no telling, great advice.
My goal really was to make a decent whisky, gin, rum vodi so i didnt have to buy it, simple as that.
Also i save some of the empty bottles from bought stuff and fill them with shine to keep in the house, they look commercial, no one would notice.
Crack on buddy, youll be fine,

[fiery creations]

I've chosen to not let it bother me. If it's that much stress it's probably not worth the trouble.

On one occasion while living in the country I had a late night knock on the door after wrapping up a run. Several riled up deputies. Turns out some fugitive was on the loose in the area.

On another I was running in the back at night. Suddenly headlights came in and spilled onto my still. Patrol car. Luckily I was able to shut it down, head through the house and meet them at the door. Same situation. Looking for some bad dude they thought was there.

Third time I came home to find a deputy standing in my living room right next to all my stuff. Someone in my house had new onset dementia. Apparently he couldn't find his license and he decided to let the deputy come in and help him look for it.... After a quick change of underwear I put it all away.

Probably a good idea to at least keep it all covered and tucked away. Cause ya never know....

[Reefer1]

Absolutely, it's a good idea to keep some wine/beer stuff kicking around, to use as a distraction.
I'm to old worry.

[shadylane]

A locked shed and a closed mouth.
And as JS pointed out "Ex spouses and acquaintances can be an issue".
Let's say an acquaintance gets in trouble and the law askes "is there anyone you can roll over on to get out of trouble".

[Steve Broady]

Let's say an acquaintance gets in trouble and the law askes "is there anyone you can roll over on to get out of trouble".

Maybe I live a privileged, sheltered life, but it seems like it might not be the best idea to acquaint oneself with the kinds of folks likely to be getting into that level of trouble with the law?

Present company excluded, of course!