Why would so many beer/wine hobby suppliers have proof hydro

[FeralPig]

I live in the capital city of a large southeastern US state. Distilling is not permitted here. We have at least six different hobby brew supply businesses on the north side of town. Every one of them carries proof hydrometers...and frequently sell out. Am I wrong in concluding this must indicate there are more than a few of us distilling? What other reason is there to have a proof hydrometer? You can't really use it to check beer or wine. They have worms for sale although they say this is for cooling wort. They sell turbo-yeast. Besides making wash, what else is turbo-yeast good for?

Just curious if anyone can think of a better explanation.

[grunger]

It's legal to sell that stuff. The guy at the brew shop I go to says that he doesn't care what it's used for once it is out of his store.
I see he has something called a European Connection Liqueur Kit that is supposed to make 20+% using 8kg sugar made up to 23L. I'm guessing that it's just a turbo that you flavour up without distilling. Sounds terrible and it costs $10. Pass.

Pretty sure turbos and proof hydrometers are sold kind of the same as pipes in a hemp shop. Those shops claim they're for tobacco use only, Brew shop says for making wine or beer.

[rad14701]

Brew and wine shops can also carry proof hydrometers for use in making homemade concoctions like cordials, glug, and the like, where you may be using Everclear or other high proof spirits that need to end up at a much lower "cordial" proof... I've known folks to mix wine, Everclear, and other ingredients and called it brandy even though it "technically" isn't...

[Hack]

Yes, there seem to be a fair number of people distilling out there. I think we'd be surprised if we could know actually how many.

[HookLine]

Yes, there seem to be a fair number of people distilling out there. I think we'd be surprised if we could know actually how many.

My local brew shop says that a large number of their customers (for stillin gear) are police and military types (bunch of military bases around here). The only restriction the shop puts on your purchases is they will not sell you a column and the 25 litre boiler the same day, you gotta buy them on separate days. (Law here says you can own a still, as long as the boiler is no larger than 5 litres, and you do not run alcohol through it.)

[Puma]

My local brew shop says that a large number of their customers (for stillin gear) are police

I worked with a guy some years ago who told about using a still out in the woods. When I asked if the cops ever found out, he said "Well, it was the sheriffs still."

[1fourme]

I was visiting a friend a few years ago, and went to a meeting for beer wine and "other" tasting. There were lots of samples of homemade "stuff" as they called it,no beer or wine... Got to meet about 12-15 nice people. After we left my friend told me that everyone there worked in law enforcement.

[FeralPig]

My favorite brew shop will sell a small still but they have to file some form with the ATF. I do not want my name known at the ATF. They have broad powers to "enforce the law".

[Ugly]

No worries here, buy a still no problem. Buy a gun though and you've already committed a crime and are armed and dangerous every time you get a speeding ticket. I hate that database.

Still? No one gives a crap as long as you paid GST on the equipment. Probably why Ian Smiley is so open about his profession here.