Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

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.

Not a bad book if you're new to the Moonshine world.If you read Mountain Spirits & More Mountain Spirits first this will be a weaker re-hash of the same information.

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!!

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!

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.

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...

This book makes a great reference into home brewing for the beginner or the curious. The detail is excellent and simple. Meanwhile, the humor, stories, poems, quotes, and trivia will keep you grinning. Most importantly the recipes, instructions for cooking off a batch or building your still will ensure you or your frinds won't be poisoned, blinded or killed in an explosion. Great value for the price.