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 [Paperback]

Matthew Rowley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2007

A brightly illustrated and entertaining celebration of making fine distilled spirits traces the history and lore of moonshine from its pioneer origins, through prohibition, to today's artisanal libations, offering practical how-to instructions for buildin
Title: Moonshine!
Author: Rowley, Matthew B.
Publisher: Sterling Pub Co Inc
Publication Date: 2007/05/28
Number of Pages: 175
Binding Type: PAPERBACK
Library of Congress: 2005034042

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Food historian Rowley wants readers of this home-distillation guide to know something about alcohol and the law: "Without inspection and proper approvals, you are not permitted to make any amount for personal use. Not one drop." That said, Rowley provides clear and well-illustrated instructions for building a still, preparing a mash and distilling alcohol right in your own backyard. It's a complicated process, requiring a fire extinguisher, the skills of a good metalsmith and plenty of patience. For those without the time or skill, however, Rowley includes plenty of appealing recipes for cordials and cocktails that don't require homemade spirits. Fish House Punch, rumored to have left George Washington with a "crippling hangover," is a powerful mix of bourbon, peach brandy, Benedictine and dark rum. Simpler, and similarly all-American, is Cherry Bounce, made with bourbon, honey and a gallon of sweet and sour cherries. But Rowley's mother provides perhaps the best recipe, an easy maceration of fruit and sugar that tastes great over ice cream or on its own. Rounded out with trivia, tall tales and a brief history of bootlegging, a list of home brewing resources and a few warnings for drinkers ("Even for accomplished boozers, moonshine can make off with your dignity before you understand what's happening"), this may be the last book one will ever need on the art of in-house hooch.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Food historian Rowley wants readers of this home-distillation guide to know something about alcohol and the law: "Without inspection and proper approvals, you are not permitted to make any amount for personal use. Not one drop." That said, Rowley provides clear and well-illustrated instructions for building a still, preparing a mash and distilling alcohol right in your own backyard. It's a complicated process, requiring a fire extinguisher, the skills of a good metalsmith and plenty of patience. For those without the time or skill, however, Rowley includes plenty of appealing recipes for cordials and cocktails that don't require homemade spirits. Fish House Punch, rumored to have left George Washington with a "crippling hangover," is a powerful mix of bourbon, peach brandy, Benedictine and dark rum. Simpler, and similarly all-American, is Cherry Bounce, made with bourbon, honey and a gallon of sweet and sour cherries. But Rowley's mother provides perhaps the best recipe, an easy maceration of fruit and sugar that tastes great over ice cream or on its own. Rounded out with trivia, tall tales and a brief history of bootlegging, a list of home brewing resources and a few warnings for drinkers ("Even for accomplished boozers, moonshine can make off with your dignity before you understand what's happening"), this may be the last book one will ever need on the art of in-house hooch. -- Publishers Weekly, March 26, 2007

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Lark Crafts (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579906486
• ISBN-13: 978-1579906481
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,552 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Gastronomy > History
  • #98 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Drinks & Beverages > Spirits

More About the Author

Matthew Rowley is one of America's foremost experts in extra-legal and folk distilling. The former museum curator is the author of the historical/how-to distilling manual Moonshine! (Lark Books, 2007) and contributor to several edited volumes on drinks. Both he and his writing have been featured in:

* The New York Times
* The Los Angeles Times
* The San Francisco Chronicle
* The New Orleans Times-Picayune
* The Washington Post
* Wine & Spirits
* Imbibe Magazine
* National Public Radio
* Salon.com
* Ministryofrum.com

Rowley is a former board member of the Southern Foodways Alliance, a past presenter at Tales of the Cocktail, and has spoken on drinking and cocktail culture for universities, radio, and television. His recipes and essays have been published by the University of North Carolina Press, Simon & Schuster, the Taunton Press, and others.

As a freelance writer, his spirits and cocktail clients include The American Distilling Institute, The Cocktail & Spirits Online Writers Group, Léirithe le Mac Dara Ó Curraidhín, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Museum of the American Cocktail. Additional clients may be found at www.matthew-rowley.com.

He maintains Rowley's Whiskey Forge (www.whiskeyforge.com), a website devoted to food and drink, widely read by cocktail enthusiasts and food aficionados.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY Good Guide to Real Hooch... February 13, 2008

By D. Jones

Format:Paperback

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!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Readable, Pragmatic, Entertaining & Culture Bearing January 3, 2010

By R. Seth Kircher

Format:Paperback

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Read October 6, 2008

By M. Button

Format:Paperback

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read, excellent info July 10, 2011

By William Gurstelle

Format:Paperback

I read a great number of books on home distiilling and this is the best, I feel. The first half is fun reading, written in a light, breezy style. The second gets down to business and it's easy to understand and actually appears to be usable to beginners as well as the moderately experienced.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Should have started with this book!! December 10, 2010

By Shelley Taylor

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Bought several books before this one, and this one brings them all together plus more. If distilling is on your list of things to learn, this is the only book you need!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and instructional May 24, 2013

By Country gal

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book was easy to read, informative and well laid out. I bought two other books on hooch making and this one is by far my favourite. It is the only beginner book you will need to start your distilling journey.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun Book May 14, 2013

By fionagirl

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Cleverly written with fun illustrations. Great gift for someone who wants some light reading. Informative and to the point. I'm pleased with it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious and Educational January 21, 2013

By Tori

Format:Paperback

This book was absolutely amazing. The little tid bits and stories are so educational and mind blowing. It is a very educational book and something that anybody could read and want to read it again and again.