A U.S. appeals court on Friday declared unconstitutional a nearly 158-year-old federal ban on home distilling, calling it an unnecessary and improper means for Congress to exercise its power to tax.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled in favor of the nonprofit Hobby Distillers Association and four of its 1,300 members.
They argued that people should be free to distill spirits at home, whether as a hobby or for personal consumption including, in one instance, to create an apple-pie-vodka recipe.
The ban was part of a law passed during Reconstruction in July 1868, in part to thwart liquor tax evasion, and subjected violators to up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Yeah, making moonshine was a rural pastime in my country for ages, even when it was illegal, and the most danger from it that I’ve heard of is that the result smells and tastes pretty damn nasty.
Wikipedia says:
This sounds like it requires the air to taste like fortified wine.
Hold my beer, I’m about to hot-box the distilling room.
Yes, you can vape alcohol. No, you really shouldn’t, because if you get too drunk off it you can’t throw up or have your stomach pumped.