Last night David and I went out on a date night for dinner at Texas Roadhouse. While there David ordered a Beer but I had forget to let David know June 6th was National Moonshine Day #NationalMoonshineDay and let me tell you David would have wanted a drink that contained #Moonshine. Only I don’t know if Texas Roadhouse had anything but at one time when we went to Logans Roadhouse for dinner they had drinks with Moonshine in them so next time we will go here to try one of there drinks. Would you like to go with us?
Moonshine, was once a fiery and illegal homemade liquor, which has now gone legit. Still, Moonshine conjures up colorful early 20th Century memories of Prohibition, fast cars, and makeshift stills in the Appalachian Woods. When it’s time to celebrate National Moonshine Day on the first Thursday in June which is June 6th this year you can drink Moonshine guilt-free.
Moonshine achieved legendary status upon the passage of the 18th Amendment which was Prohibition in 1919. At that point, Americans who wanted to drink alcohol had to turn to the black market of the day, which belonged to the moonshiners and bootleggers. Moonshiners and bootleggers distilled the Moonshine and then delivered it, making criminals of everyone involved.
Today large distilleries sell Moonshine, looking to rekindle nostalgic memories of the illicit drink. But the days of cheap, questionable brews with deadly contaminants are thankfully over. Join David in a drink this evening and let’s find a restaurant that offers Moonshine and catch up. Just remember to have only one drink if your driving.
NATIONAL MOONSHINE DAY ACTIVITIES
- Craft Whiskeys are those distilled by small companies or even individuals. These Whiskeys are made in a non-mechanized way. So if you want to feel like you’re celebrating the days of Moonshining, a craft Whiskey is going to put you closer than drinking large batch Whiskey from one of the well-known distillers. We can’t guarantee your craft Whiskey came from a still in someone’s back yard, but we can’t guarantee it didn’t either.
- Did you know the origin of NASCAR is filled with stories of bootleggers hauling Moonshine in their souped-up cars, running from authorities. As the need for bootleggers waned, the drivers needed a way to show off their fast cars. They eventually began racing each other on local back roads, and then on dirt ovals. NASCAR was born. Historians note North Carolina’s tradition of auto racing developed in the garages of bootleggers, particularly on the roads between North Wilkesboro and Charlotte. Today’s NASCAR doesn’t much resemble the early days of back roads and bootleggers, but the Whiskey doesn’t much resemble Moonshine’s risk of blindness either. Both are good things.
- Those making Moonshine had to work in the dark to help them hide from authorities. Moonlight was their only guide. So you can try doing an outdoor chore only by Moonlight. Preferably something that doesn’t involve fast-moving blades or working on a ladder please – safety first,
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL MOONSHINE DAY
- Craft cocktails are all the rage right now, and many of them call for infused liquor. The best way to make your own is to start with some good old fashioned Moonshine, then simply choose your mix-ins. Herbs are a great bet and let the Herbs marinate. You may not be making your own liquor, but the spirit of the thing is there!
- “Those making Moonshine were a creative sort, coming up with cool nicknames and songs to celebrate their way of life. Songs such as “Copper Kettle” and “Apple Pie Moonshine” helped to create and highlight the legend of bootleggers and making ‘shine. Then there are the nicknames for the booze including skull cracker, white lightning, mule kick, and radiator whiskey, among others. Hard for ad agency wordsmiths to keep up with the creativity of the bootleggers.
- Now that we increasingly live in an age of recreational Marijuana use, Prohibition seems downright quaint. Prohibition is the only amendment to the Constitution to ever be repealed. The existence of Moonshine reminds us to be thankful that we live in a Country where we’re allowed certain liberties for the moment, anyway.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
