Nothing to do with turkey hunting but i just watched a few episodes of Moonshiners on Discovery channel and really liked it, My Grandfather made some back in the day and my father was a ABC agent, interesting mix. Also saw that Killer Beez was on it, a comedian that grew up close to me, our Dad's started in our local PD.
I like that show. All my family are from West Virginia. I remember as a kid both my Grand Fathers were known to run a batch or 12. I remember as I got a little older the favorite around there was apple pie, everybody talking about apple pie and when would Hube have some more. Took me a long time to catch on to why Papaw was always making apple pie and I never saw the first piece.
The little boy in Sunday School was answering the teacher.... Who makes the sun shine? God does. Who makes the stars shine? God does. Who makes the moon shine? Daddy does!
I've been known to take little drank of it in my younger days. I always keep it around for medical reasons. LOL..I have come upon some remains of old still before, just some old barrels and rock stacked around those running springs while turkey hunting.
If you're interested in these types of things, I was asked to write the foreword to this book recently and the book is wonderful.
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Chester, never knew what the Copperpot meant! now we know.
Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on February 17, 2021, 10:13:25 PM
If you're interested in these types of things, I was asked to write the foreword to this book recently and the book is wonderful.
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I'll be danged
There's a couple of old still sites at my primary hunting ground. There's remnants of a blown up still along the bank on a flat by a bend in the creek at one site. I'd love to know if that explosion was accidental or deliberate? The other site is beside a different creek that's more protected and has a hand laid rock-lined floor on a ledge beside the creek. You almost have to be right on top of it before you can see it. There's a few broken mason jars scattered in the woods, an easy toss distance away from the rock floor.
I also keep some around for when my joints get creaky. I keep it in the freezer, because it just goes down smoother that way...I sure don't need to worry about it freezing.
Cheers!
Jim
Here's a pic of my Dad busting a still back in the day, i wish i had know about all that evidence was that was in the garage.
(https://i.imgur.com/kRU9Lqq.jpg)
I have my Great Grandfather's still. He was a blacksmith and made it himself before or during probation. It was lost when my great uncle developed Alzheimer's and took it from the shed and set it up. About 15 or 20 years later I found it deer hunting.
I watched documentary on Popcorn Sutton long before that show. I have always been intrigued by running a still. Always hoped I would get to know someone who was part of that culture. I'm pretty sure a lot of that show is faked, some of those guys don't look like they are in good enough shape to pack that equipment and mash ingredients very far in the woods. I really enjoy the master distiller show more. I've been contemplating trying to build a still and running a batch. I'm not much of a drinking man but I much prefer the clear corn liquor over aged in oak barrels. I was given some that was made in Georgia several years ago. There's nothing better for a cough or sore throat. Sure wouldn't mind having a stash for medicinal purposes. Maybe I'll get around to building a still when the weather breaks. I'm thinking of using beer kegs if I can find a couple.
Quote from: 3bailey3 on February 17, 2021, 10:17:09 PM
Chester, never knew what the Copperpot meant! now we know.
LOL , now I could use a drink.
Not as strong as shine , but anyone ever had walnut wine?
Quote from: 3bailey3 on February 17, 2021, 10:37:50 PM
Here's a pic of my Dad busting a still back in the day, i wish i had know about all that evidence was that was in the garage.
(https://i.imgur.com/kRU9Lqq.jpg)
Safe to say that is NOT at Uncle Jesse's place. No way them Dukes would ever get caught. :)
I came across a old still hunting with a older gentleman this year. He said it was his familys. His uncle grazed cattle on one of the natural balds on what is now the appalachian trail. His uncle used cane to pipe his water into a dry hollar to avoid being caught. He said his uncle never did get caught even though they were always trying to catch him.
Ran onto one in WV once. It was active and funny thing is another fellow I know ran in to it as well. They didn't hide it very well. When I was down the southern end of the state several years ago I mentioned it and had about 5 offers from the local boys to take some of their products home. Had my company vehicle so I declined.
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Quote from: Rzrbac on February 18, 2021, 12:56:03 AM
I watched documentary on Popcorn Sutton long before that show. I have always been intrigued by running a still. Always hoped I would get to know someone who was part of that culture. I'm pretty sure a lot of that show is faked, some of those guys don't look like they are in good enough shape to pack that equipment and mash ingredients very far in the woods. I really enjoy the master distiller show more. I've been contemplating trying to build a still and running a batch. I'm not much of a drinking man but I much prefer the clear corn liquor over aged in oak barrels. I was given some that was made in Georgia several years ago. There's nothing better for a cough or sore throat. Sure wouldn't mind having a stash for medicinal purposes. Maybe I'll get around to building a still when the weather breaks. I'm thinking of using beer kegs if I can find a couple.
The majority of the show is fake (it's entertainment). Popcorn was not, though he was quite entertaining so long as foul mouths didn't bother you. The documentary you likely saw would've been one of Neal Hutcheson's who wrote the book above. If you liked that documentary, the book really is outstanding. Gorgeous photography. And, for the most part, Popcorn's life in his own words.
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I too enjpy the show. I wish Kansas didn't have such strict liquor laws. Id like to have a small still and make some brandy off of the plums, persimmons, raspebrries, blackberries, etc that grow on my property.
One of the moonshiners on the show lives a few miles from me, went to high school with my daughter in law.
Watched the show for several years, definitely some interesting characters on that show. The history behind the making of the liquor, the personalities involved, and even the liquor makes it interesting. Kind of wondered how they are getting away with their actions as according to the show it is illegal and all involved are named?
I'm not so sure on the legality of it, never checked the law where I live. I figure if they can sell marijuana for medicinal purposes I can make some shine for the same reason.
What got me interested in it was the Popcorn Sutton documentary. That would have been a blast to have ran a batch with him. I love the history behind some of the recipes. I figure I can acquire about any of the ingredients needed to make mash, just not sure what kind of yeast those folks use.
I also read a good book called "The Wettest County in the World". It ending up being a movie about the Bonderants in Virginia. The outlaw and bootlegging days are long gone but people still seem to be secretive about it. Maybe shiners should get together and have a Unicoi where folks can sample and buy their product.
Plenty of fellows still making it. Matter of fact there is a legal moonshine distillery within a half hour of my house. Its legal to make in a lot of areas as long as its not sold and is in limited quantities.
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i enjoy the show for what it is
no need for 'shiners in wisconsin. we've allowed everyone to get their drink on whenever they want for a long time
i live in a town of 240 people and we have 3 bars. before covid they were always packed(lots of tourist outside of winter), lots of bars out in the boonies(though nothing close to what it was like in the 50's and 60's-drunk driving)
can buy beer and liquor at any gas station, grocery store, liquor store, or big box store. the idea of "dry counties" blew my mind.
i could go to a bar at like 15 with my parents and if the bar didn't care i could drink with them
also, as a teenager parties would get busted and nobody got in trouble
heck, up until the 90s the cops would drive everyone home and that would the the extent of kids "punishment"
Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on February 18, 2021, 12:43:07 PM
Quote from: Rzrbac on February 18, 2021, 12:56:03 AM
I watched documentary on Popcorn Sutton long before that show. I have always been intrigued by running a still. Always hoped I would get to know someone who was part of that culture. I'm pretty sure a lot of that show is faked, some of those guys don't look like they are in good enough shape to pack that equipment and mash ingredients very far in the woods. I really enjoy the master distiller show more. I've been contemplating trying to build a still and running a batch. I'm not much of a drinking man but I much prefer the clear corn liquor over aged in oak barrels. I was given some that was made in Georgia several years ago. There's nothing better for a cough or sore throat. Sure wouldn't mind having a stash for medicinal purposes. Maybe I'll get around to building a still when the weather breaks. I'm thinking of using beer kegs if I can find a couple.
The majority of the show is fake (it's entertainment). Popcorn was not, though he was quite entertaining so long as foul mouths didn't bother you. The documentary you likely saw would've been one of Neal Hutcheson's who wrote the book above. If you liked that documentary, the book really is outstanding. Gorgeous photography. And, for the most part, Popcorn's life in his own words.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glQjCKAI4gA&ab_channel=SuckerPunchPictures
I've watched that several times. I don't drink (not at all) but I absolutely love that documentary. Neal did the world a huge favor by filming that. It's a dang shame that Popcorn couldn't peacefully live what was left of his life in the mountains where he belonged.
we used to have overnight parties on islands on the upper mississippi and the dnr would bust us. they'd take the coolers and leave. we'd pull the back up coolers out of the woods
we'd be clearly out riding jet skis and kneeboarding while everyone was drinking. i'm glad i got to experience that kind of stuff and everyone thankfully made it out safe, but good lord. insanity.
if i knew my nephews did stuff my generation did i'd have a heat attack
I really enjoy watching Moonshiners, especially Mark & Digger. Back in the late sixties, I would pass bootleggers running liquor with their headlights off on two lane mountain roads on my way back to college on Sunday nights. Later on, I had permission to grouse hunt some land in western NC in the mid 70's but was told by the land owner to avoid getting off his property due to an active still on his neighbors adjoining property.
Quote from: Happy on February 18, 2021, 06:44:30 PM
Plenty of fellows still making it. Matter of fact there is a legal moonshine distillery within a half hour of my house. Its legal to make in a lot of areas as long as its not sold and is in limited quantities.
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I wish it was like that here. We can do beer, wines, and ciders. You can own a still to produce essential oils and water. Making a little shine ain't worth loosing my 6 figure job over.
Quote from: Happy on February 18, 2021, 06:44:30 PM
Plenty of fellows still making it. Matter of fact there is a legal moonshine distillery within a half hour of my house. Its legal to make in a lot of areas as long as its not sold and is in limited quantities.
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I don't know what part of WV you come from, but I am one of those good ole local boys from the southern end and it is illegal as crap.
Quote from: dwcim on February 19, 2021, 01:41:52 AM
Quote from: Happy on February 18, 2021, 06:44:30 PM
Plenty of fellows still making it. Matter of fact there is a legal moonshine distillery within a half hour of my house. Its legal to make in a lot of areas as long as its not sold and is in limited quantities.
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I don't know what part of WV you come from, but I am one of those good ole local boys from the southern end and it is illegal as crap.
Your correct, I was wrong on that. Was thinking that the laws are the same as beer and wine for family consumption. My apologies sir.
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Moonshining has been and is still a tradition in western north carolina and east tennessee.
I had a great uncle that survived the depression by making shine. He said it was more work than most folks realize. There were a couple brothers making whiskey on my place many years before I came to own it. I've found remnants of it, a walled up spring and a hammer head left in the crotch of a big twin trunked tree nearby.
I would make a comment about gobbling birds on the Still Road, but don't want to give anyone any hints. There is actually still an old bridge there crossing the creek - all but the heaviest timbers have rotted away. Kinda cool to think about how many birds have roosted over it.