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The Home Distiller's Workbook - Your guide to making Moonshine, Whisky, Vodka, Rum and so much more!
Get the eBook version FREE* with purchase via Amazon's MatchBook service. I wrote this book to pass along the knowledge that was taught to me in the hills of Kentucky over 25 years ago. Along the way though I developed my own style. I boiled down what I learned and moved it indoors. I've developed designs that can be used right in the comfort of you own kitchen or out back in the woods! The truth is that Moonshining, aka "Home Distilling" is a folk art that helped build this country. Together we can make it live again, and have a little fun in the process!
"But isn't this dangerous" you ask. Cooking up spirits isn't any harder then properly roasting a Thanksgiving turkey. In fact it's so easy that a redneck like me can do it. And folks if I can do it, then imagine what you might be able to create! Imagine the holidays when you pull out your own special label. Think of the drinks and dishes you can concoct. Open up a whole new world of creativity and step into the hobby that is truly one of the founding traditions of our country.
There are dozens of reasons why people look into home distilling. Maybe you are looking for a new culinary branch to explore, maybe you just like the idea of knowing how to do things for yourself, perhaps you just like to keep the old ways alive or maybe you are just tired of our government telling us what we can and can not do!
In this book I will show you how easy and safe this hobby really is. This book is designed for the beginner distiller and I take the time to introduce you to all the concepts of distilling that you need to get started. One of the great thing about distilling is that you can keep it simple or as get as complicated as you could possible want. This journey is all about where you want to take it.
Please be advised that this is for informational purposes only. After you read this you will understand just how easy it is to make your own Moonshine, Whiskey, Vodka, Rum or even alternative fuels. Then once you understand how easy this is, how safe and how stupid the laws that restrict this are, then you can contact your congressman and/or senator and tell them to repeal the laws that are only in place to protect big businesses. Believe it or not there are Moonshiners everywhere, we have a grand tradition that goes back to the first settlers. Many historians will even tell you that it was moonshine that built this country!
It's time to take back our heritage. Thank you for your support!
Jeff King
Moonshiners Unite! *Note that all books published by FOI Publishing are DRM FREE as well as MATCHBOOK ENABLED. What is MatchBook? MB is a program in Amazon where, if the publisher enables it (And we have!), you get the kindle version for a discounted price. How discounted? Well at FOIPub we think FREE is the right answer to that question. Our view is that you have purchased a "License" for the book. You paid for it right? Then who are we to say when and how you want to enjoy your media. Paperback or eBook, we don't care, read it however you want. That is why all FOIPub eBooks are now 100% when you buy the paperback! It is also why there is no DRM (Digital Rights Management). DRM is used to stop people from copying media from one device to another. Mainly to stop media pirates from stealing an author's work. Our take at FOIPub is that we don't just assume that our readers are thieves like some publisher do! And lets face it, honest folk will pay for good content and thieves never were going to pay for it in the first place. Its why we call them thieves right? So if you are a customer please know that we honor and respect your choice to pay for our content. If you are a thief, what can I say, hope you like your Karma!
"But isn't this dangerous" you ask. Cooking up spirits isn't any harder then properly roasting a Thanksgiving turkey. In fact it's so easy that a redneck like me can do it. And folks if I can do it, then imagine what you might be able to create! Imagine the holidays when you pull out your own special label. Think of the drinks and dishes you can concoct. Open up a whole new world of creativity and step into the hobby that is truly one of the founding traditions of our country.
There are dozens of reasons why people look into home distilling. Maybe you are looking for a new culinary branch to explore, maybe you just like the idea of knowing how to do things for yourself, perhaps you just like to keep the old ways alive or maybe you are just tired of our government telling us what we can and can not do!
In this book I will show you how easy and safe this hobby really is. This book is designed for the beginner distiller and I take the time to introduce you to all the concepts of distilling that you need to get started. One of the great thing about distilling is that you can keep it simple or as get as complicated as you could possible want. This journey is all about where you want to take it.
Please be advised that this is for informational purposes only. After you read this you will understand just how easy it is to make your own Moonshine, Whiskey, Vodka, Rum or even alternative fuels. Then once you understand how easy this is, how safe and how stupid the laws that restrict this are, then you can contact your congressman and/or senator and tell them to repeal the laws that are only in place to protect big businesses. Believe it or not there are Moonshiners everywhere, we have a grand tradition that goes back to the first settlers. Many historians will even tell you that it was moonshine that built this country!
It's time to take back our heritage. Thank you for your support!
Jeff King
Moonshiners Unite! *Note that all books published by FOI Publishing are DRM FREE as well as MATCHBOOK ENABLED. What is MatchBook? MB is a program in Amazon where, if the publisher enables it (And we have!), you get the kindle version for a discounted price. How discounted? Well at FOIPub we think FREE is the right answer to that question. Our view is that you have purchased a "License" for the book. You paid for it right? Then who are we to say when and how you want to enjoy your media. Paperback or eBook, we don't care, read it however you want. That is why all FOIPub eBooks are now 100% when you buy the paperback! It is also why there is no DRM (Digital Rights Management). DRM is used to stop people from copying media from one device to another. Mainly to stop media pirates from stealing an author's work. Our take at FOIPub is that we don't just assume that our readers are thieves like some publisher do! And lets face it, honest folk will pay for good content and thieves never were going to pay for it in the first place. Its why we call them thieves right? So if you are a customer please know that we honor and respect your choice to pay for our content. If you are a thief, what can I say, hope you like your Karma!
90 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
289 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 31, 2013
well the apples are getting big and I have been getting ready to make some hard cider and reading everything I can get my hands on about homebrewing. after a couple other books amazon suggested this one which was a freebie so I figured what the hell? even though I have no intention of trying to build or operate a still I am glad I read it, I learned quite a bit of very fascinating info about how alcohol is made and not just moonshine either. the classifications of different booze was the most interesting to me, do you know what the diffrence between American whiskey and Irish whiskey is? it's not just where it was made! this book covers all types of booze and what the ingredients are and how it is made and aged. also the chemistry of the still is entertaining as well, it don't just tell how to build and use one but it explains exactly how it works with illustrations. all in all a very entertaining read and a bonus surprise was learning something I can use with my hard cider called freeze distilling which is the same as ice brewing and is completely legal and is how ice brewed beer is made. I love ice brewed beer!
May 26, 2012
I was lucky enough to snag this book as a freebie Kindle download (thanks, author!) and boy howdy, am I ever glad!
The interesting thing is that I have no immediate plans to become a moonshiner. I will likely never, ever distill liquor in my backyard or secret forest hidey hole bunker where I will ride out the apocalypse with canned goods and MREs. I am, however, extremely interested in preserving the knowledge of HOW.
Too many of our skills, and yes, distilling alcohol is definitely a skill, are lost to modern convenience. People these days don't know how to do squat, they are useless, helpless and depend on "ready made" far too much, and our skills (canning, hunting/skinning, preserving, growing/farming, baking, etc.), that used to be able to sustain us, are nearly lost.
These are the same people that are going to be dying in FEMA camps when the zombies come. :-)
That said, this is an extremely comprehensive, well written and well thought out lesson and instruction in HOW distilling actually works. I was impressed with the research, knowledge and details included in this book, and highly recommend it, even if you are only wanting the know-how for knowledge purposes, and don't actually intend to brew up a bucket of moonshiner for resale.
The interesting thing is that I have no immediate plans to become a moonshiner. I will likely never, ever distill liquor in my backyard or secret forest hidey hole bunker where I will ride out the apocalypse with canned goods and MREs. I am, however, extremely interested in preserving the knowledge of HOW.
Too many of our skills, and yes, distilling alcohol is definitely a skill, are lost to modern convenience. People these days don't know how to do squat, they are useless, helpless and depend on "ready made" far too much, and our skills (canning, hunting/skinning, preserving, growing/farming, baking, etc.), that used to be able to sustain us, are nearly lost.
These are the same people that are going to be dying in FEMA camps when the zombies come. :-)
That said, this is an extremely comprehensive, well written and well thought out lesson and instruction in HOW distilling actually works. I was impressed with the research, knowledge and details included in this book, and highly recommend it, even if you are only wanting the know-how for knowledge purposes, and don't actually intend to brew up a bucket of moonshiner for resale.
February 12, 2020
If you are not an uber-masculine male, you gotta put up with some real misogyny bingo by this asshole. It’s hard to pay attention to the useful things he has to say for all that crap. There are better books on distilling that won’t make you feel like you’re drinking the tails. Pass.
January 28, 2020
Clear, consise, easy to use.
April 14, 2021
The audiobook ends with Jeff King encouraging girls to send in pictures of themselves for a chance at being the Home Distiller's Girl of the Month so yeah one star for misogyny.
October 5, 2021
Great book
I planned on reading this book a little each night but read the whole book the first night.
I've always been curious about how moon shining worked and this book explains it very well.
I highly recommend it
I planned on reading this book a little each night but read the whole book the first night.
I've always been curious about how moon shining worked and this book explains it very well.
I highly recommend it
May 30, 2017
Not enough information. I left a longer review on Amazon.com. Not worth it. All (and better) information can be found online.
December 24, 2021
Enjoyable read !!
I really enjoyed the author's writing style and simple manner of explaining the processes in distilling and recipes that are included.
I really enjoyed the author's writing style and simple manner of explaining the processes in distilling and recipes that are included.
May 7, 2018
Entertaining but not enough detail and some of the terminology seems wrong. Backset it what's left in the still nor the fermenter. Sour mash uses both backset (what's in the still) and what in the fermenter for making the next batch.\
But a great read. Concentrates on the art of distilling as opposed to the science. Great intro book. Lots of good looking recipes for you educational use.
But a great read. Concentrates on the art of distilling as opposed to the science. Great intro book. Lots of good looking recipes for you educational use.
November 25, 2017
Quick read
Somewhat interesting look at this fascinating sub culture of distilling. A bit more on the author's own back story and elaborated views on some of his recipes would have added a more personal touch.
Somewhat interesting look at this fascinating sub culture of distilling. A bit more on the author's own back story and elaborated views on some of his recipes would have added a more personal touch.
February 16, 2019
Recommended
Easy to understand. Clear instructions. No technical terms to trip over. And I like the author ‘s attitude. Wish I could say the same for Amazon’s stupid word requirements for review submission
Easy to understand. Clear instructions. No technical terms to trip over. And I like the author ‘s attitude. Wish I could say the same for Amazon’s stupid word requirements for review submission
December 9, 2017
Finished in one sit. very intriguing. I wanted to try it out. In the end, it turns out home distiller is still illegal in US.
April 10, 2019
Sounds good!
Now that my grandchildren are grown & not yet parents... I am going to get this for my chemically minded son in law...
Now that my grandchildren are grown & not yet parents... I am going to get this for my chemically minded son in law...
August 11, 2020
Some interesting info, would have given it another star without the author's political opinions.
December 30, 2025
Very informative
For a beginner, it was a great book. If you are interested in getting a hobby. This book is definitely something to read.
For a beginner, it was a great book. If you are interested in getting a hobby. This book is definitely something to read.
October 31, 2017
Great intro into what it takes to still. . . . once it is legalized . . . of course.
February 17, 2014
I found this to be a pretty good and brief read, I finished it in a single night. I'm not planning on distilling anything soon (I'd like to start with wine, mead and beer and work my way up), but this one seemed pretty well reviewed. Despite it's brevity, it was comprehensive and clear, covering everyone one would need to know to get started on making the liquor of your choice. In short I would recommend it as an essential volume in the DIY boozer's library.
Some minor criticisms; it's a bit too brief. This is rectified by saying that this is an introduction to the art and science and that an intermediate volume will be coming. I hope the author gets it out soon! However for the beginning volume, I wish there was just a bit more info and description on the discerning of the heads, hearts and tails of distilling. From what I've read here and other places, making the cuts seem to be where it is more art than science, particularly between types of beverage being made (i.e. you'd make the final cut with whiskey bit later than with rum, etc.) I'd like to see a bit more on that subject.
4.5 out of 5 stars.
Some minor criticisms; it's a bit too brief. This is rectified by saying that this is an introduction to the art and science and that an intermediate volume will be coming. I hope the author gets it out soon! However for the beginning volume, I wish there was just a bit more info and description on the discerning of the heads, hearts and tails of distilling. From what I've read here and other places, making the cuts seem to be where it is more art than science, particularly between types of beverage being made (i.e. you'd make the final cut with whiskey bit later than with rum, etc.) I'd like to see a bit more on that subject.
4.5 out of 5 stars.
June 16, 2014
This book explains how to distill alcohol, with detailed drawings of the methods and recipes. I would tell you that it is a "no nonsense guide" if it was one but, Jeff King has some pretty hysterical quotes, facts about antiquated laws and personal accounts as well. It is that extra dash of fun that makes this book so easy to read. I've never brewed or distilled any alcohol in my life, but I was still entertained when reading this.
February 24, 2014
Short read with a few recipes. I would have liked a few more recipes and a little more depth in setting up equipment. The book does give enough knowledge that I think I can set up my own small distilling equipment.
August 21, 2012
Novice guide with a few interesting recipes. Nothing that can't be found with a casual search.
April 9, 2013
Simple. Yet informative.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews