Modern Day Prohibition

Kyle Brown on July 25, 2011

This blog provides information for educational purposes only. Read our complete summary for more info.

revenuers
A few years ago (in early 2011), the North Carolina Alcohol Control Board informed us that we were not allowed to manufacture moonshine still kits in NC.  The kits can be purchased by and shipped to residents of North Carolina, but they can't be made in North Carolina due to a technicality in the way their laws are written.
 
State officials cited written regulations and case law established in between late 1800s and 1930's!  Additionally, no such permit exists that allows a manufacturer to legally produce and sell distillation equipment (for distilled spirit or fuel production) in NC.  Consequently, Clawhammer Supply currently operates out of Colorado with plans to move to Tennessee. Colorado does not regulate the manufacture of distillation equipment. Tennessee has some rules and regs on the books but TN's Alcohol Control Executive Director personally gave us permission to manufacture kits in that state.
Portrait of Kyle Brown
Portrait of Kyle Brown

Kyle Brown

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Kyle Brown is the owner of Clawhammer Supply, a small scale distillation and brewing equipment company which he founded in 2009. His passion is teaching people about the many uses of distillation equipment as well as how to make beer at home. When he isn't brewing beer or writing about it, you can find him at his local gym or on the running trail.

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14 Comments

  • CB
    Comment Author: Chuck B

    Just finished watching all your build and leak testing video’s……Giddy does not describe it!
    Now for my next question: Is it possible to get the plans to make your own still, from you guys, as averse to buying a still kit?
    Maybe in a DXF file format?
    I ask because I do aircraft sheetmetal work, and could obtain the metal I need from a local supplier, and punch out my own pieces to size……..I realize, that you probably consider this info “proprietary”,just wondered if this might be a future option.Not looking to go into the still business, just to make my own for “fuel making purposes”, if you will.Love your site, and your product! Enjoyed your tutelage on soldering Kyle!

    Thanks.
    Chuck

  • RU
    Comment Author: Richard Underwood

    Is it legal to make Shine for your own personel consumtion and not for sale? I live in WVa.

  • A
    Comment Author: Anthony

    My family came from the mountains of NC and some of them made moonshine. They are all dead now. I would like to have a still in memory of them and use it as conversation piece. Do you know if NC law prohibit a resident from owning a still?

  • A
    Comment Author: aness

    hi!!!

  • K
    Comment Author: Kyle

    Hey James, thanks for the compliment! Also, thanks for the suggestion regarding the reflux design. We’ve definitely been thinking about that. Though, too much to do and not enough time!

Categories

Various beers in glasses

How To Brew

Clear liquor in a rocks glass with a lime wedge

How To Distill

Pouring ingredients into a brewing kit

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Learn From Interviews

Categories

Various beers in glasses

How To Brew

Clear liquor in a rocks glass with a lime wedge

How To Distill

Pouring ingredients into a brewing kit

Try New Recipes

A group of people toasting with steins of beer

Learn From Interviews