The main ingredients for making moonshine are water, yeast, and a fermentable sugar/carbohydrate source such as corn, rye, wheat, or barley. Recipes for moonshine also often include flavorings such as fruit juices, honey, and spices to add a unique flavor.
Water is essential and should be clean, preferably filtered or distilled, in order to be free of impurities and maximize the quality of the moonshine.
Yeast is used to start the fermentation process and can impact the flavor or character of the moonshine depending on the strain used. Commonly used strains include wine and beer yeast, as well as other specialty strains for for different flavor profiles.
The fermentable sugar source is responsible for the alcohol content in the moonshine. Commonly used sources include corn, rye, wheat, and barley, and they provide different flavor notes. Other sources, such as raw sugars, can also be used.
Flavorings like fruit juices, honey and spices can also be used to further customize the moonshine and create unique flavors.
It is important to note that the quality of ingredients used and the fermentation process can greatly impact the overall quality and flavor of the moonshine, so care should be taken to use the best ingredients and to be sure the process is done properly.
What is traditional moonshine made from?
Traditional moonshine is a type of high-proof distilled spirit that has been around for centuries. It is made from corn, sugar, yeast, and water. The basic process begins by mixing the ingredients and fermenting them, creating a liquid known as “mash”.
The mash is then heated in a still and vaporized alcohol is collected and condensed into a liquid. This liquid is then aged and filtered, resulting in the finished product.
In the United States, moonshine is legally produced and collected under the NPS (National Prohibition Spirits) system. However, since the ingredients used to make moonshine are relatively easy to obtain, many homemade varieties are still produced illegally.
Traditional moonshine has a distinct flavor profile that is characterized by a strong corn flavor with notes of vanilla and other spices, depending on the recipe.
What alcohol do you use to make moonshine?
Moonshine can be made from any type of fermented grain, such as corn, wheat, rye, or barley. However, the most commonly used grain to make moonshine is corn. While traditionally moonshine has been made from a mash or fermented mix of sugar, water, and some type of grain, it can also be produced from a ‘beer wash’.
This is created by brewing beer and then boiling off the alcohol without distillation, thus creating a strong moonshine alcohol. The ABV (alcohol by volume) of moonshine is usually quite high and can range from 40-80%.
Many distillers will add flavoring agents to the moonshine to create different flavors and tastes. These can range from fruits and herbs to spices, oils, and even flavor extract such as vanilla or almond.
How do you make high proof moonshine mash?
Making high proof moonshine mash involves combining sugar, water, and yeast together to create a liquid mixture that will eventually turn into alcohol. The steps for making high proof moonshine mash are as follows:
1. Mix together equal parts of sugar, water, and yeast in a large bowl or container of your choice. It’s best to use warm water – no more than 90°F (32°C).
2. Cover the container with a lid or cling wrap and seal it tightly. Place it in a warm area where it won’t be disturbed.
3. Let the mixture sit for 3-7 days, depending on the temperature. The warmer it is, the faster it will ferment.
4. Check on the mash every other day. When it is done fermenting, it will have a strong alcoholic smell.
5. Strain the mash into another container using a cheesecloth or sieve.
6. Discard the solids.
7. Add enough additional sugar to the liquid to bring the alcohol content to 160 proof.
8. Let the liquid rest for 1-2 days. The higher proof mash will become denser and slower-moving than lower proof mashes.
9. Bottle the moonshine in glass jars or containers and store in a cool dark place.
Making high proof moonshine mash is not a difficult task, although it does require patience and care. With the right ingredients and some time, you’ll be able to make a delicious and potent moonshine mash.
How much sugar do you put in a gallon of mashed moonshine?
The amount of sugar you put in a gallon of mashed moonshine will depend on the alcohol content you are aiming for. Generally speaking, if you are looking for an alcohol content around 140 proof, you should add 14 pounds of sugar per gallon of mash.
However, you can adjust this ratio based on the type of stove you are using, the type of yeast, and the temperature of the mash. If you are aiming for a higher alcohol content, you should add more sugar.
On the other hand, if you want a less alcoholic drink, reduce the sugar. It’s best to start with the standard ratio of 14 pounds of sugar per gallon of mash and then make adjustments as needed.
What makes moonshine a higher proof?
Moonshine is a high-proof alcoholic beverage that is typically made by distilling a fermented grain mash, such as corn mash, in a homemade still. Generally, moonshine is made to be much higher in alcohol by volume (ABV) than most commercially produced spirits—often as high as 150 proof or more.
The higher proof of moonshine is achieved by stripping out more of the water content of the fermented grain mash with each distillation run. To do this, the distiller must be sure to reduce the amount of water added to the mash before distillation, as well as testing the alcohol content of the distillate before adding additional water to reduce the alcohol concentration.
This technique leaves more of the stronger alcohols in the distillate, resulting in a higher-proof spirit.
In addition, many distillers of moonshine add additional water or other alcoholic liquids, such as vodka or whiskey, to increase the ABV of the final product. This can further increase the alcohol content of moonshine, resulting in a spirit that is higher in proof than regular commercially available spirits.
How do you get high ABV mash?
The best way to get a high ABV mash is to use a higher ratio of sugar-rich grains in your mashing process, as sugar ferment into alcohol during the fermentation process. You can also optimize your mash temperature to around 154-158 degrees Fahrenheit.
This will increase the break down of starches into fermentable sugars. Priming your mash with an enzyme or enzyme supplement will also increase the efficiency of the mashing process, helping you get a higher ABV.
Finally, you can employ glucose-rich adjuncts like corn sugar or lactose to increase the gravity, and therefore, ABV of your mash.
How do you increase the alcohol content of moonshine?
To increase the alcohol content of moonshine, one can use the process of fractional distillation, which is the further separation and purification of the alcoholic mix created by the first distillation and likewise the further concentration of the alcohol content in the mix.
The process involves heating the mix and condensing the vapors it produces in a cooled coil, and monitoring the alcohol content of the condensate over several runs. During each cycle, the moonshiner is able to collect more alcohol with a higher proof (alcohol content) than the first run.
The challenge in increasing the alcohol content of moonshine is to be able to monitor when each fraction of liquid comes off the still so that you can end a cycle and start a new one, but this can be done with a still that has an alcoholmeter or other device that can measure the alcohol content.
This method of fractional distillation should be able to increase the alcoholic contents of a moonshine mix by several percentage points.
How do you make a higher alcohol proof?
To make a higher alcohol proof, you need to begin with a higher starting combination of alcohol and water. In general, every percent of alcohol adds approximately twenty points to the proof number. Therefore, if you have a starting combination brew of 40% alcohol and 60% water, the proof of that liquid would be 80 proof.
To make a higher proof, you would need to add more alcohol to the starting liquid, thereby increasing the ratio of the two components. For example, if you add 10 percent more alcohol to the above starting mixture, this would produce a liquid that is 50% alcohol and 50% water, resulting in a higher proof of 100.
The method for producing higher proof alcohol depends upon the type of alcohol you are making. For example, if you are making moonshine, you would need to first make a mash of grains, like corn or wheat, and mix it with water to create a fermentable liquid.
Once the mash has fermented, you will need to place it in a still to separate the alcohol. If the moonshine is distilled twice, you can increase the alcohol content, thereby increasing the proof. Similarly, if you are making whiskey, you would need to malt a grain like barley or rye, again creating a fermentable solution.
After fermentation and distillation, either single or multiple times, the whiskey’s alcohol proof can be increased.
No matter what type of alcohol you are making, it will require multiple steps to successfully increase the final proof. Ultimately, the proof of a final liquid will depend upon the starting material, the type of distillation process used, and whether further distillation passes are applied.
What is the temperature to ferment moonshine mash?
The ideal temperature to ferment moonshine mash depends upon the type of yeast being used. Generally speaking, slower-fermenting ale yeasts such as those used for whisky, rum and brandy production should be fermented at around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Faster-fermenting lager yeasts and turbo yeasts used for producing moonshine should be fermented between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to note that the optimal temperature for yeast activity is dependent upon several things, including the type of sugar being used and the number of yeast cells in the mash.
Generally speaking, warmer temperatures increase the rate of fermentation, but can also generate off-flavors such as esters and fusels, which can affect the flavor of the moonshine. Therefore, it is important to closely monitor temperatures throughout the production of moonshine mash to ensure the best possible flavor and alcohol yield.
How much moonshine will 5 gallons of mash make?
The amount of moonshine produced from 5 gallons of mash can vary greatly depending on the type of still being used, the type of mash that is being distilled, and the expertise of the distiller. Generally speaking, however, 5 gallons of mash can produce anywhere from 3-6 gallons of high-proof moonshine.
Some distillers may even be able to get up to 8 gallons from 5 gallons of mash depending on the conditions of the distillation. To get an exact figure, a distiller would need to consider the type of still they are using, the specific mash they are distilling, and their own expertise.
Can you ferment mash too long?
Yes, you can ferment a mash for too long. If the mash is left too long, the alcohol will break down, producing acetic acid and other unpleasant flavours in the beer. Also, over-fermentation can cause the beer to have a bitter flavor.
Hops and grain will start to break down and release harsher flavors. This can cause the beer to be thin and watery, as much of the body has already been fermented away. In order to avoid this, it is important to adhere to the timeline and temperature guidelines that have been recommended for the style of beer.
If possible, use a refractometer to accurately measure the specific gravity before and during fermentation. This will help ensure that the desired level of alcohol has been achieved before bottling or kegging.
In conclusion, it is possible to ferment a mash too long, but if care is taken to monitor and adhere to the fermentation temperatures and timelines recommended for the style, this issue should be avoided.
How much head do you throw away when distilling?
When distilling alcohol, the distiller needs to be aware of the head, which is the portion of the distillate that contains the most volatile components and is usually higher in methanol and other congeners.
The head usually starts the distillation process and the distiller should throw away the initial 10-30% of the distillate because it can contain unwanted components, such as methanol, acetone, and fusel oils.
Usually, the distiller will use their nose and tongue to know when to start and stop collecting the distillate, which requires skill and practice. The amount of head and tail thrown away also depends on the type of still being used as well as the goal of the distillation.
The distiller should pay close attention to their product and discard any quantities of the distillate that don’t meet their criteria in terms of quality, taste, and smell. Ultimately, the amount of head thrown away will depend on the distiller, the still, and the desired product.
How long does it take 5 gallons of mash to ferment?
It typically takes around 4 to 8 days for 5 gallons of mash to ferment, depending on the type of fermenting being done. The temperature of the mash and the yeast strain being used can also have an impact on the length of fermentation.
Generally, the warmer the mash and the more robust the yeast strain, the shorter the fermentation time. However, it’s important to keep in mind that for certain types of fermenting, such as lagers, longer fermentations may be needed for the proper creation of flavors.
With a well-controlled environment and the proper ingredients, you can expect an average fermentation time of 5 to 7 days.
How much can a 5 gallon still produce?
A 5 gallon still can produce up to 8-10 gallons of alcohol depending on the setup and efficiency of the condensor and the raw materials used. An average 8-10 gallons of alcohol (40-50% abv) is estimated to yield 1.5-2.
0 gallons of pure alcohol. Of course, this can vary depending on the type of alcohol and how pure you need it to be. As a general rule of thumb, the larger the still, the more product it can produce.
This means that a 10-gallon still will produce more than double the amount of alcohol that a 5-gallon still does. Additionally, a 5-gallon still will take longer to produce the same amount of alcohol since it is struggling to manage the load of the 5-gallon capacity.
The use of a turbo 500 still or taller stills can help to increase the efficiency and total production.
If you are using a 5-gallon still, it is highly recommended to focus on maximum efficiency and using the best-quality material. The use of a reflux still could potentially help yield higher purity, however this will depend on how much rectification is needed to reach the desired level of purity.
How much do moonshiners make per gallon?
The amount of money moonshiners make per gallon of moonshine can vary significantly based on a number of factors. The price a moonshiner is able to charge for their product is based heavily on costs associated with the production process.
The cost of the ingredients, the labor involved, any taxes paid to the government, and the overall demand for the product are just a few things that can determine the profitability of the business.
Due to the illegal nature of moonshine production, exact figures regarding sale price per gallon are not widely available. However, it can be estimated that moonshiners make anywhere from $20 to $50 per gallon, depending on the above-mentioned variables.
The cost of the ingredients needed to make moonshine also varies depending on the type of moonshine being made, as well as the location. Some grains, such as corn and rye, are relatively inexpensive to purchase in bulk, while others such as sugar cane and molasses cost more per bushel.
Assuming the cost of ingredients is relatively low, it is possible for a moonshiner to make $30 to $50 per gallon.
In addition to the cost of ingredients, moonshiners must also factor in the cost of their labor. Making moonshine is a labor intensive process that requires time and patience. In addition to making the actual product, moonshiners must also maintain and clean their equipment, market and distribute the product, and pay any taxes due to the government.
This can significantly reduce their profits and make it difficult to make a living solely through moonshining.
In summary, the amount of money a moonshiner can make per gallon of moonshine is variable and can depend on several different factors. Most experts believe moonshiners make between $20 and $50 per gallon, depending on the costs of ingredients, labor, taxes, and overall demand for their product.
How much money do they make on Moonshiners?
Moonshiners is an American reality television series that follows the lives of people who illegally produce moonshine in various locations in the Appalachian Mountains. The show is produced by Magilla Entertainment and aired on Discovery Channel from 2011 to 2017.
The show’s stars make money through monthly salaries, merchandise sales, and occasional promotional fees. Although the exact salaries of the Moonshiners cast are not publicly known, back in 2014, some reported that Tim Smith and Tickle earned a monthly salary of around $5,000 each.
In addition, Moonshiner Jeff McLean reported that he earned $500 per episode. It’s likely that the salary has increased over the years.
The cast makes additional income from merchandise sales, including shirts, hats, recipe books, and more. They also often attend promotional events and receive fees for doing so. Sometimes they even serve as guest speakers at events and receive fees for these engagements.
All these activities bring in more money for the cast members.
Overall, it is difficult to accurately estimate what the Moonshiners cast makes. It’s likely that they make more money now than they did when the show first premiered. It’s also likely that their income varies depending on the activities they are involved in.
What do the Moonshiners make per episode?
The exact amount that Moonshiners make per episode varies greatly on their individual circumstances. This is mainly due to the fact that some Moonshiners are paid a percentage of the profits that their moonshine makes, while others are simply paid a flat salary.
In addition, some of the more successful Moonshiners are also contractually obligated to receive a portion of the profits from syndication and licensing rights. That being said, it is estimated that each Moonshiner earns anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 per episode.
This amount does not take into account any money that the Moonshiners may make from the sales of their own products, such as their own line of branded apparel or their own line of moonshine. Additionally, many of the Moonshiners also make extra money from side jobs and other ventures.
For example, some of them teach survival skills classes and work on other TV projects. All of this can contribute to the total amount that Moonshiners make per episode, making it difficult to estimate exactly how much they make.
What is tickles net worth on Moonshiners?
Tickle, whose net worth is estimated at around $200,000 USD, is one of the stars of the Discovery Channel reality show Moonshiners. On the show, Tickle is a master distiller and moonshiner who runs the stills at his own legal booze-producing business, Tickle’s Shine Shack.
He also produces award-winning specialty sippin’ whiskeys, alongside his moonshine, at his own distillery. Over the years, Tickle has appeared on other TV shows such as The Big Yellow Flamingo and Insane Pools: Off the Deep End.
Tickle has a large fan following, and his YouTube channel has over 100,000 subscribers. He is also very active on social media and has built up a successful brand and empire through his creative marketing skills, which has undoubtedly added to his net worth.
Apart from his reality TV appearances, Tickle also works with corporations and NGOs on projects such as the Appalachian Clean Water Project. His entrepreneurial spirit, strong work ethic and drive have made him a successful businessman.
Despite his no-nonsense attitude, he is still well-respected among his peers.
Clearly, Tickle’s net worth will only increase as his business continues to grow and garner attention. His notoriety and influence have landed him investments and partnerships with big brands, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see his net worth ahead of the game in the near future.
How much is Mark and Digger from Moonshiners worth?
It is difficult to put an exact figure on the net worth of Mark and Digger from Moonshiners, as it is not widely reported. However, Mark and Digger from Moonshiners are widely known for their successful moonshine business, which has become a profitable enterprise.
While the exact financial figures of their business is not available to the public, it has been estimated that Mark and Digger from Moonshiners could be worth around $1.5M to $2M individually from their venture.
In addition, their presence on the hit show, ‘Moonshiners’, has likely also helped to boost their fame and status, as well as open up opportunities for other possible business ventures.
