Moonshine!: Recipes * Tall Tales * Drinking Songs * Historical Stuff * Knee-Slappers * How to Make It * How to Drink It * Pleasin

by Matthew Rowley

Now here's a volume you can really drink to Something's brewing in these pages, and it's moonshine--a word that evokes fascination, curiosity, and a warm sense of nostalgia. Never before has there been such a richly illustrated, thorough, and entertaining celebration of the history of making fine distilled spirits. Take a trip through moonshining's past: travel from its beginnings as a pioneer staple to the dark days of prohibition, from quickly produced...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1579906486
• ISBN13: 9781579906481
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Union Square & Co.
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Readable, Pragmatic, Entertaining & Culture Bearing

Somewhere in the author' blog (Rowley's Whiskey Forge) Matthew Rowley states the following about this book: "Since 2001, I've traveled over 14,000 miles and interviewed over fifty extra-legal distillers to debunk the notion that moonshining is a dead or dying craft." Without a doubt, the knowledge and appreciation Mr. Rowley gained while conducting research for this book "shines" through on every page. Accordingly, of all the volumes I've read on the topic of craft distilling, Moonshine is the most readable, pragmatic, and entertaining. Given the book's numerous quotes, sidebars, recipes, and (yes), guidance on still construction, one might even say that it carries an important measure of forgotten United States culture.

Totally worth it

This book is truly amazing! It is an entertaining read as well as informative. Everything is covered from the initial conception of the still all the way to recipes. The author is a bit opinionated in a few places but doesn't come off preachy. He simply states his opinion and gives the information anyway. Don't waste time, buy this book!

Fun Read

If you are looking for specifics into making your own whiskey, this may not be the book for you. But, if you want some basics and have fun reading them, then buy this. Easy nightstand reader that can be taken down to the basement when finished and put to good use. Good plans for making a still too.

What they said...

Great book. Very easy to read. Lots of hitory and funny as well. It is funny how history of certain subjects can be filled with humor. A ton of great info. The other 2 reviews are right on the money. This is the first book I bought on distilling and so far the best all around...

VERY Good Guide to Real Hooch...

Well, this will be short... The book covers everything you'll need to know to make REAL hooch, moonshine, "licker", etc. Whichever you call it, you'll know exactly the needed materials and methods to get the job done. Being an experienced brewer, I can tell you there are some pretty good (thou basic) recipes as well that'll get you started off in the right direction. After learning the basics, you'll be ready to venture off on your own in the recipe department and create virtually anything you can dream up. And as a passing point, if you get tired of making that ole 'Mountain Dew' and need to get to town, you can put that 'ole pot distiller' to use feedin' your work truck too. Lastly, the author really knows what he's talking about since he rates the other brewin books on the market in the back of his book, and I'd have to agree with his reviews since I've read many of the others as well. Here's to the freedom to create the drinks you like and to the "spirits" that's kept America goin' since before George Washington fired up his own personal still. Cheers!