Testing homemade moonshine is a way to make sure it tastes good and is safe to consume. It’s important to test your moonshine before drinking it to ensure that it won’t make you sick and that you’re getting the most out of your homemade spirit.
The first step in testing your homemade moonshine is to get a hydrometer and a proof and tralle hydrometer. The hydrometer measures the alcohol by volume (ABV) while the proof and tralle hydrometer measure the proof (twice the ABV).
Using the hydrometer, you’ll need to measure the specific gravity of your moonshine. To do this, you’ll need to fill a test jar half-full with your moonshine, then float the hydrometer in the jar and give it a few gentle swirls.
Then, look for the ABV on the hydrometer’s various scales.
Finally, you’ll use the proof and tralle hydrometer to measure the proof. This is done by again filling the test jar with your moonshine, only this time you’ll put one tablespoon of table sugar into the jar, and then float the hydrometer in it.
Swirl the jar with the hydrometer inside, and then look at the proof and tralle hydrometer’s scales, which will tell you the proof of your moonshine.
Once you have your results, all that’s left to do is taste your moonshine and judge it for yourself. All in all, testing your moonshine is an important step in ensuring that your homemade spirit is safe to consume, and that you’re getting the most out of your time and effort.
What color is real moonshine?
Moonshine is an illegally produced alcoholic beverage, so its color can vary significantly depending on the ingredients used. Many people associate moonshine with its traditional color of clear, but some batches can have a yellow hue.
This is the color of cornmeal shine and is the result of the sugars and starches in the corn fermenting and turning into alcohol. Moonshine can also have a more caramel color, this is because of the flavors derived from the wood barrels used for aging and the caramelization of the sugar.
Lastly, moonshine can have a dark mahogany color. This is usually the result of the mixture aging in metal or copper stills.
How do you tell the proof of moonshine by shaking it?
Proof is a measure of the alcohol content of a liquid, typically expressed as a percentage, and it can only be accurately determined through laboratory testing. Shaking or observing the moonshine does not provide any useful information about its alcohol content.
Furthermore, since moonshine is an unaged distilled spirit, it typically has a higher alcohol content compared to more commercial liquors, so guessing the proof of moonshine by tasting it can be dangerous.
Does real moonshine bubble?
Yes, real moonshine can bubble. Moonshine is a term used to describe illegally-made alcohol, typically produced in a still and made from corn, barley, or rye. During the fermentation process, carbon dioxide is produced and the moonshine will bubble when sealed tightly.
If moonshine is unaged, it will be more potent and have more bubble to it. Depending on the still used to create the moonshine, as long as the proper pressure and temperature is maintained, the process creates a liquid that contains ethanol and bubbles that may contain ethyl acetate, a chemical compound which contains bubbles.
Unaged moonshine is usually much higher proof than liquors that have been aged, so it tends to have more bubbles.
What proof is moonshine if it burns blue?
Moonshine is an illegally-made and unregulated form of alcohol, usually made from corn mash. Its nickname comes from the tendency for people to make and drink it secretly and at night, under a full moon.
One way to tell moonshine from other types of alcohol is if it burns with a blue flame when lit.
The blue flame is a sign of pure or high-proof alcohol. Because the process of distilling moonshine is unregulated, it can become contaminated with other chemicals, which can reduce its potency and create a yellow or orange flame when lit.
The blue flame indicates that the moonshine is higher proof than most other commercial beers, wines, and spirits. It also seems to indicate a higher concentration of methanol, which can be toxic in large amounts.
Moonshine that is more than 80-90 proof is often described as “white lightning. ” This name alludes to the fact that pure moonshine burns with a bluish-white color when lit. Burning with a blue flame is one way to prove that moonshine is of a higher quality and proof than other alcoholic beverages.
It is also a sign that it has not been tampered with or contaminated.
Is Smoky Mountain moonshine real moonshine?
Yes, Smoky Mountain moonshine is a real type of moonshine. Dating back to the days of Prohibition, this type of moonshine was made in the Appalachian Mountains within the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina.
The moonshine produced here is made with a unique combination of ingredients, including cornmeal, sugar, yeast, and water. The combination of these ingredients produces a unique flavor that has become beloved by many moonshine enthusiasts.
Following Prohibition, our Smoky Mountain moonshine was made legally in distilleries and aged in oak casks. The aged moonshine yields an even smoother beverage that retains much of the character and flavor that makes it stand out from other types of moonshine.
To find a legitimate craft distillery in the area, visit the Appalachian Moonshine Heritage Trail website.
Do they really make moonshine on the show moonshiners?
Yes! Moonshiners is a docuseries that follows real-life moonshiners in Appalachia as they produce and distribute moonshine. This show first premiered on the Discovery Channel in 2012 and is still airing today.
We get to follow along these iconic characters as they work to survive and thrive in the rugged world of moonshining.
Moonshiners follows several different characters and their unique distilling processes. From the backwoods of Appalachia to their several stills, viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make and distribute moonshine.
The show also covers the real-life risks and dangers of moonshining, from government raids to issues with local law enforcement. By featuring these stories, viewers can see firsthand the difficulties involved in making and distributing moonshine.
In short, Moonshiners is a show that follows real-life moonshiners as they make and distribute moonshine. We get an informative take on illegal distillation and the real-life risks involved in this exciting, yet potentially dangerous, profession.
Why does my moonshine look yellow?
Moonshine can take on a yellow tinge for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is the presence of mineral compounds. If your recipe includes grain as a base ingredient, chances are that there are trace minerals present that can lend your spirits a yellow hue.
Another possible reason for your moonshine being yellow could be the presence of flavoring agents. If you’ve added herbs, spices, or other flavoring agents that contain oils or other compounds that could leave a yellow color, then this is likely the reason your moonshine has a yellow tint.
Finally, if your recipe involves aging your moonshine in wood barrels, oxidation can give it a yellowish hue. Wood barrels soak up the alcohol by-product that’s created when aging, and this can leave behind a yellowish tinge.
The bright side is that this yellow tint is typically a sign of a quality product, so you can rest assured that your moonshine is tasting good and doing its job!.
Is moonshine a clear liquor?
Yes, moonshine is a clear liquor. While people may use different ingredients to make their moonshine, generally it is made from a simple sugar mash that is fermented and then distilled into a high-proof clear liquor.
Moonshine is usually clear because it is not aged, but it can also vary in color depending on the ingredients used. For instance, brown sugar and molasses can give a darker color to the final product.
Moonshine was traditionally made in the Appalachians and Southern United States but you can find it all over the world now. Its high alcohol content and clear color makes it a popular choice for mixed drinks, cocktails, and even shots.
What are the 5 clear liquors?
The five most common clear liquors (also referred to as “white spirits”) are vodka, gin, white rum, tequila, and white whiskey.
Vodka is a clear alcoholic beverage made from grains, potatoes, or other starches that have been fermented and distilled. It has a neutral flavor and does not affect the taste of other components it is mixed with.
It is most commonly used in cocktails, like a vodka Martini or a vodka cranberry.
Gin is a clear alcoholic beverage made from fermented and distilled grains. Its flavor can range from peppery to sweet, varying according to the botanicals used to flavor it. Gin has several popular cocktails like a Gin and Tonic or a Gin Martini.
White rum is a light and clear spirit made from fermented and distilled sugar cane by-products. It has a slightly sweet flavor and is commonly used in cocktails, such as a Mojito or a Daiquiri.
Tequila is a clear liquor derived from the Blue Agave plant. Most often it is known for being used in Margaritas, but it can be enjoyed on its own, neat or on the rocks. It is also often used to create cocktails like Paloma or Tequila Sunrise.
White whiskey (sometimes called moonshine) is a clear spirit made from fermented and distilled grains, often corn. It is traditionally unaged, meaning it isn’t aged in oak barrels like more common types of whiskey.
White whiskey is usually enjoyed neat or on the rocks, and can also be used to create cocktails like a White Manhattan or a White Russian.
