From 1920 to 1933, the Prohibition Era was quite difficult and strange for America. However, it did add good things to the country’s liquor culture. One of these was Moonshine, or homemade (and then-illegal) distilled liquor. The birth of this spirit not only marked a significant moment in American history but also became a catalyst for much more. So let’s walk a mile in this American bootleg’s boot, and learn about the beginning and history of this liquor.
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The Origin Of Moonshine
You can try to pull a country out of liquor, but you can never take the liquor out of a country! America has seen its fair share of revolutions, and Moonshine is the product of one too. The 18th Amendment to the US Constitution was the tool with which the American government sought to stop the production, import, transportation, and sale of liquor. So, the citizens of the country decided to take matters and bottles into their own hands.
You see, Irish and Scottish immigrants had already introduced a recipe for a strong, distilled alcohol to America, which was made from grain, in the 18th century. This spirit was declared illegal due to its highly unregulated production. In 1920, when the US government made all alcohol illegal, people figured they might as well start making their own. Since alcohol was already illegal regardless of regulation, some thought, what would the government do – arrest people twice?
Thus, moonshine came into existence. The term “moonshine” has many synonyms, including hooch, choop, homebrew, mule kick, and others. Interestingly, “mountain dew” was initially used to describe bootleg liquor. It later became the name for a popular chaser for American moonshine. Today, it is a well-known drink, partly thanks to PepsiCo’s acquisition of its brand rights.
The name “moonshine” comes from the fact that its production and transportation typically occurred at night, making it easier to avoid detection.
That’s not all that Moonshine led to, though…
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Drunk Driving: Moonshine and NASCAR
Moonshine production was dangerous, and the resultant spirit had risks of toxicity, but that was the fate the citizens of America chose over a dry throat. Since this was the only option available, it soon started catching fire. This fame caught the attention of the authorities, and they came down hard on this doubly illegal booze!
Moonshine distillers were made from tougher stock and decided to put up a fight. Both distillers and bootleggers started modifying trucks and cars to juke the police who were looking to crack down on these Moonshine makers. The most prominent changes would be in the form of improved suspension that could survive driving through the rough, off-road terrains. These helped the bootleggers who would often ditch paved roads for the countryside, where patrols were scarce. Another modification was made to the engine of the vehicles so that they could deliver more power and outrun any coppers that the bootleggers would run into.
These modified vehicles soon started to be recognised as a class of their own and a lot of the drivers for these bootleg transporters started driving for the NASCAR races! NASCAR started as Daytona Beach became a hotspot for racing enthusiasts to set land speed records. It just so happened that the cars that could set such records had similar specifications to the ones that were used to move Moonshine across the country.
As the Prohibition era wound down in 1933, the money bootleggers made took a hit, but not before leaving a taste on America’s lips, and a mark on its history. Moonshine was popular enough that production did not need to stop as traditional liquors made it back to bar shelves. The Moonshine mobiles remained too, as some distillers still used them to avoid “revenuers”, who were tax collectors meant to collect their share of Moonshine’s green.
Not only did these first instances of supercars remain, but they also spun out a whole league of drivers who made their fame driving at NASCAR events. Junior Johnson is a prominent name in NASCAR history, and he started as a bootleg transporter.
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Summing Up
Today, Moonshine is an American favorite, only having suffered one loss, which was of its illegality. It has become for America, what Mezcal is for Mexico. The spirit has more than just a buzz. It has a history, and it has traditions spread across various families of distillers. There is still some illegal “home brewing”, but we don’t need to focus on the miscreants and tarnish such a culturally involved spirit now, do we?
FAQs
Who First Made Moonshine?
The grain-based distilled spirit that later went on to be called Moonshine, traces its roots back to Pennsylvania in the late 17th century.
Why Was Moonshine Illegal In The US?
Moonshine has been illegal in the US since its creation due to its manufacturing process being completely unregulated. This could lead to the potential production of Moonshine which was contaminated with heavy metals.
Why Is The Drink Called Moonshine?
American bootleg gets the name Moonshine because the spirit was created and transported under the light of the moon, to avoid detection.
What Is The Indian Version Of Moonshine?
Tharra can be considered the Indian equivalent of this liquor since it is a somewhat illegal variation of India’s indigenous spirit, or Desi Daru.
Who Is The King Of Moonshine?
Lewis Redmond is the King of Moonshine. He got this name from the playwright Gary Carden.
What Is The Real Name For Moonshine?
Indigenous distilled grain spirits go by many names in America. Some of them are:
- Homebrew
- Mulekick
- Shine
- Hooch
- Sneaky Pete
- White Dog
- and many more
Who Is The Godfather Of Moonshine?
Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton was a moonshiner and bootlegger from Appalachian America. He was named the Godfather of Moonshine due to the book and home video he produced on making the liquor.
