Make Moonshine Mash

Moonshine mash is a fermented mixture or slurry of ingredients, principally corn, sugar, water and yeast, that are distilled to produce high-proof drinking alcohol, also known as moonshine or white whiskey. While distilled alcohol can be made from a variety of grains, moonshine is most often associated with a corn based mash.[1] Follow these steps to produce your own moonshine mash.

Ingredients

  • 5 lb. (2.27 kg) ground cornmeal
  • 5 lb. (2.27 kg) white granulated sugar
  • 10 gallons (37.9 L) of water (distilled if possible)
  • 1 cake of dry ale yeast
  • 1 pint (473 mL) of malt extract

Steps

  1. Fill a clean and sanitized 20 gallon (75.7 L) copper or stainless steel pot with 10 gallons (37.9 L) of water. Place the pot on the stovetop, and heat the water to 120˚ F (48.9˚ C).
    • A large and sturdy outdoor stove may be used if indoor space is limited.
  2. Add the ground cornmeal to the heated water. Pour the cornmeal in slowly, roughly 1 lb. (453.6 g) at a time. Stir occasionally to dissolve the cornmeal evenly.
  3. Dissolve the sugar into the water and cornmeal mixture. Stir in the sugar slowly, adding 1 lb. (453.6 g) at a time. Maintain the temperature of mixture between 120˚ and 145˚ F ( 48.9˚ and 62.8˚ C) for 30 minutes.
    • Avoid scorching the mash by maintaining recommended temperatures, otherwise too much heat will prevent starch from converting to sugar.
  4. Remove the pot from heat when the moonshine mash has reached a thin gruel-like consistency. Cool pot by carefully placing in sink or sturdy outdoor tub partially filled with cool water.
  5. Crumble the cake of yeast into 2 cups (475 mL) of warm water and stir to dissolve.[2] Add the malt extract and the dissolved yeast into the moonshine mash. The mash will begin to thicken as the fermentation process begins and the yeast consumes sugars to produce alcohol and carbon dioxide.[3]
    • You can add a small amount of warm water if you wish to thin out the thickened mash at this point.
  6. Transfer the mash to a glass or ceramic vessel and store your pot of mash in a warm location, roughly 65˚ F (18.3˚ C), for 3 to 5 days. Place a thin cloth over the vessel to keep out insects, dirt or other undesirables, but allow for the introduction of wild yeasts and air circulation.
    • Fermentation requires oxygen and produces carbon dioxide so you don’t want to seal the vessel completely.
    • Alternatively, you can attach an airlock to the lid of the vessel, which will allow carbon dioxide to escape, but prevent contamination from the air.[4]
    • A foamy head will develop on top of the moonshine mash. When the froth stops growing the mash is ready for distillation.

Tips

  • You can determine if enough starches have converted into sugars before adding the yeast by placing a drop of iodine in a small sample of the mash. If the iodine turns dark purple keep the mash on low heat for 30 minutes more to convert more starches. If the drop turns only light purple you can proceed.
  • Malt extract and different varieties of yeast can be found at homebrew supply stores or online. Experiment with different batches to find out which produce the best results for you.

Warnings

  • Making moonshine with an unregulated and uninspected operation, such as a home still, can be extremely dangerous. Distilling and drinking moonshine poses the serious risks of explosive fire, lead poisoning and alcohol poisoning.
  • Producing mash for alcoholic spirits or moonshine, either for private consumption or sale is illegal in the United States[5] and in many other countries without proper licensing and permits. Be sure to consult the laws governing the production of alcohol where you live before attempting production.[6]

Things You’ll Need

  • 20 gallon (75.7 L) copper or stainless steel pot
  • Iodine
  • Large stove top or outdoor stove
  • Liquid thermometer
  • Long-handled wooden spoon for stirring mash
  • {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} glass or ceramic vessel
  • Cloth or lid with airlock for covering vessel

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/m/mo013.html
  2. ↑ http://homedistiller.org/wash/ferment/howmuch
  3. ↑ http://homedistiller.org/wash/ferment
  4. ↑ http://www.beertools.com/html/tutorial/phase01/step09.php
  5. ↑ http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/subtitle-E/chapter-51
  6. ↑ http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2007/10/why_is_moonshine_against_the_law.html

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