Free the 'Shine! Why it's finally time to legalize liquor

If drinking makes us healthier and wealthier, why is America's liquor policy so screwy?

Jimmy Carter legalized home brewing in 1978, and that newfound freedom fueled the craft beer movement that continues to lavish beer lovers with endless choices. But in many ways, laws that govern whiskey, gin, and other distilled spirits are stuck in the 1920s.

Federal agents still raid distilleries much like they did during Prohibition, and making any amount of moonshine at home is not only illegal, it's a felony that can carry up to five years in prison. The result is a market dominated by a few big names, where would-be craftsmen are forced to hide their work.

And yet, despite the danger, America is in the midst of "moonshine renaissance," in which a new wave of hipster hobbyists has joined with old-time 'shiners to flout the law and do what they love to do.

"Free the 'Shine" is written and produced by Paul Detrick and Zach Weissmueller. Senior Producer: Ted Balaker; Additional Camera: Meredith Bragg, Josh Swain, and Alex Manning.

Approximately six minutes.

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  News & Politics

[eagleeye1975]

ALL YOU ECONOMIC ILLITERATES OUT THERE: THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CAPITALISM AND CORPORATISM!

Capitalism = FREE MARKETS

Corporatism = Jim Beam and Jack Daniels not wanting to compete fairly, and lobbying to keep this stuff illegal.

GET IT?

[apryason]

Alcohol prohibition occurred at a time when the Model T Ford could run on either alcohol or gasoline. Many of the people that got shut down because of prohibition were in the fuel business. By the time prohibition ended, all cars were designed to run on gasoline only. The specter of it competing as a fuel again, produced by your average mom and pop, is why a distillery license is prohibitively expensive for the average person.

[decidiousrex]

a fuel alcohol permit is free though...... takes a lot of paperwork, but yeah its free

[boinkburger]

Well made video. I understand the government and corporate arguments, they want their revenues, but if it's legal to make beer and wine for self-consumption. It should be for distilled spirits as well. And to tell the truth, I have sampled some home made whiskeys that would put the swill JD sells out of business if the public got a taste of them. Free the Shine!

[sgtmcwallace]

this is really inspiring.

[Chris Dunn]

I recognize that street where the No-name green shirt guy is talking.... ;-)

[zombievirals]

Shouldn't go to jail for either.

[Hashishin13]

How about neither?

[KripDrip]

if u can go to jail for growing marijuana, u should go to jail for distilling liquor

[ar47yrr4p]

and that goes for markets of every kind

[eleseur]

Hey retard, its the dumb-asses abusing drugs (including alcohol) causing the harm. Get a fucking clue, and a brain for that matter.