However, Georgian law allows a head of household to produce up to 50 gallons of malted beverages or 200 gallons of wine per year for personal or family consumption. So no, you can`t even do moonshine for personal use without a government license for it. Statue of Georgia Section 17-10-3 (a) (1) The illegal sale or possession of moonshine is an offence and a fine of $1,000. Now that moonshine has been legalized and nowadays, with the legalization of moonshine, much of the illegal moonshine business is dead and law enforcement continues to crack down on distilleries. Unlike Florida, some states` home distillation laws allow “legal” moonshine, even though it`s considered illegal at the federal level. These states include Alaska, Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Rhode Island. Technically, moonshine is a homemade, unaged high-strength grain alcohol, usually around 190 proofs. The process of making moonshine from scratch, starting with a mash of corn through distillation, is quite difficult and illegal without a license. Georgia has a long history of moonshine, dating back to the Civil War, when moonshine was legal but limited due to lack of regulation.
After the Civil War, laws were passed that made moonshine illegal and set tax rates on legal alcohol. The war-torn Georgian people see this as a way out of poverty, as Georgia`s resources have been severely depleted by the war. Distillation in California is illegal, even though it was legal nationwide. 23300. No person may exercise the privilege or perform an act that a permit holder may perform or may perform under a permit, unless authorized to do so by a permit granted under this division. 23301. However, distilling alcohol at home, even for personal use, is illegal under federal law. In 2010, legal moonlight stills opened in parts of the South, including South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia and Alabama. These produced legal moonshine for sale and distribution. The copper stills we know as “whisky stills” or “moonshine stills” are old models that have long been used around the world. It was not until the end of the 19th century that they developed their nickname and reputation. In the state of Georgia, it is legal to own a distillery as long as the stills are not used to distill spirits or make moonlight.
A still can be owned and operated to distill water, essential oils, vinegar, etc. As long as the final product is not ethanol. Making moonlight under the cover of night and then selling it tax-free undoubtedly contributed to people`s incomes, but the high risks associated with illegal businesses prevented it from spreading widely until the time of prohibition, when moonlight operations increased with 1,000 gallons of stills used in some hiding places. It is said that all other residents of Georgia were involved in one way or another in the moonlight trade as a producer, seller, consumer or even as a supplier of sugar. Warning: These codes may not be the latest version. Georgia may have more up-to-date or accurate information. We make no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or suitability of the information contained on this website or the information linked to the government website. Please check the official sources. Now that moonshine has been legalized and nowadays, with the legalization of moonshine, much of the illegal moonlight trade is dead and law enforcement continues to crack down on distilleries. Even famous Southerners like NASCAR legend Junior Johnson are in business with his Junior Johnson Midnight Moon according to an old family recipe.
Junior learned to run in the moonlight in the hills of North Carolina. No matter what you`ve seen on the Discovery Channel, home distillation in the United States is still very illegal. It`s perfectly legal to own a still, and you can even use it as long as you`re not making alcohol – so you can make essential oils without a license, perfume, or distilled water. If you are planning to make your own moonshine whiskey, it would be a very good idea to make sure your condition allows it. It should be noted that there are federal and state laws for home distillation. Click here for a good summary of federal distillation laws. The laws of the state can be found in the list below. Is it legal to make your own honey mead? Yes.
Home brewing of undistilled alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, mead, etc.) is completely legal in most places in the United States. Georgia requires a licence for the production and/or resale of ethanol-based spirit. The fee is $1,100 for licensing and investigation fees. Fortunately, Georgia has a lot of information on its website about applying for licenses and requirements. In addition to an unlisted fine and jail time, stills, spirits and distillation equipment will be forfeited. These guidelines will help you complete the Georgia State Distillery License application online on the Georgia Tax Center website. To produce ethanol fuel, you must submit copies of your federal permits to state agencies, as well as obtain a non-alcoholic alcohol manufacturer`s license and a fuel license from a fuel dealer, whether or not you want to resell the fuel. If you want to distill alcohol in Georgia, you must obtain a commercial distillery license as well as the TTB basic license and TTB license for distilled spirits. In Georgia, it is illegal to produce, transport, receive, possess, sell or distribute alcoholic beverages. State law also provides for penalties for failure to file appropriate reports or bonds or to pay fees.
and failure to report as contraband equipment used in the illicit production of alcoholic beverages. O.C.G.A. 3-3-27 (2010) 3-3-27. But that doesn`t mean there are still occasional explosions in Georgia, even here in Burke County. The law states that no one knowingly and intentionally: All required documents must be scanned and saved as individual PDF files. You upload them to the Georgia Tax Center during the application process. Country Overview National laws As long as the final product is not ethanol. Georgia also allows residents to produce beers and wines for personal home use. (a) (1) Malt beverages may be produced by a person in his or her private home subject to the restrictions set out in this section of the Code.