Aug
26
Moonshine!: Recipes * Tall Tales * Drinking Songs * Historical Stuff * Knee-Slappers * How to Make It * How to Drink It * Pleasin’ the Law * Recoverin’ the Next Day
By
Now here’s a volume you can really drink to! Something’s brewing in these pages, and it’s moonshinea 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 urban rotgut to today’s carefully handcrafted artisanal libations. Get in on the fun with how-to instructions that take into account all legal regulations and requirements before covering ingredients, building a still, basic distilling techniques, and dozens of recipes, all adapted for the beginner. Whiskies, brandies, grappa, schnapps: they’re all here, along with dozens of page-turning quotes, song lyrics, and vintage photographs and illustrations.
Making whisky or brandy is not the least bit difficult. Making something you’d want to drink well, that may take some practice.” Matthew B. Rowley
Making whisky or brandy is not the least bit difficult. Making something you’d want to drink well, that may take some practice.” Matthew B. Rowley
Related posts:
- The Art of Distilling Whiskey and Other Spirits: An Enthusiast’s Guide to the Artisan Distilling of Potent Potables
- What to Drink with What You Eat: The Definitive Guide to Pairing Food with Wine, Beer, Spirits, Coffee, Tea – Even Water – Based on Expert Advice from America’s Best Sommeliers
5 star review
I really cant say anymore then the previous review. He hit it right on the head. Great book and its an easy read. It is basic but it gives you a really good start. I definitely recommend.
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!
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!
Great for information of the basics.
In short. Perfect for the individual getting started. With particular attention to safety, which is perfect for this hobby which can be, inherently dangerous, if you’re not using your head. That said, fun read, common sense, great recipes, etc.
Well researched, well written and attractively illustrated, a rare find!
An extremely engaging book about an excellent subject! Behind each page a new jewel: be it an anecdote, a recipe, a quote, an illustration or a fact, each and every page was worth reading.
Most books about fermentation and/or distillation fall short in one area or another: some lack technical information, others lack historical facts; this book has it all and is written in a very clean and concise manner. If you are interested in makin’ your own and only want to buy one book, this is it! Here is a list of the chapters to give you an idea:
Chapter 1: A Wet Goods Primer
Chapter 2: A Long And Storied History
Chapter 3: Moonshine Today
Chapter 4: Mashing And Fermenting
Chapter 5: Stills And How To Build One
Chapter 6: Distilling
Chapter 7: Recipes
To top it all, the book is attractive enough to make it a coffee table item, where I’m sure it will be the subject of many conversations.
Luis Ayala
Author & Rum Consultant
Rum Runner Press, Inc.
silly but fun
i found this book somewhat silly but a fun read, don’t bother if your interested in actually looking to make up a bit of the shine. But on the bright side I did read some things I had not about moonshine history. I also found most of the drawn artwork rather rudimentary, but the real life photos make up for it over all. I did buy a second one as a gift so it’s not all too bad.
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.
Moonshine: Recipes * Tall Tales * Drinking Songs * Historical Stuff * Knee-Slappers *How to Make It * How to Drink It * Pleasin'
you wont be dis satisfied with this book- it is excellent for beginners and those with experience also
exellent moonshine book
an exellent informative book on makin” moonshine easy to read tells all you would need to know. but caution, it is illegal to brew with a still