How to Make Moonshine Mash: A Step-by-Step Guide

Moonshine is a long-standing tradition in the Appalachian region, but it hasn’t lost its charm and popularity in the contemporary era. Moonshine enthusiasts create homemade spirits using ingredients and equipment that can be found in any kitchen. One of the vital components of the making moonshine is the mash, which is the base material that eventually gets distilled into the finished product. Here’s how to make moonshine mash in a relaxed and approachable manner, without resorting to complicated jargon or dense language.

To begin with, it’s essential to gather all the necessary ingredients, which include sugar, water, and yeast. The proportions of these ingredients will vary depending on how much mash you want to produce, but a typical recipe might require around 10 pounds of sugar, 5 gallons of water, and a packet of yeast. Once you have everything you need, you can start by boiling the water and adding the sugar until it completely dissolves. Once you’ve reached that point, turn off the heat and let the mixture cool to around 80 degrees Fahrenheit before adding the yeast. From there, you can mix everything together and begin the fermentation process, which involves letting the mash sit in a warm, dark place for a few days before it’s ready for distillation.

Tools and Ingredients Needed

Before you start making moonshine mash, ensure you have the following tools and ingredients:

Tools:

• A large pot or cooking vessel
• A thermometer to measure temperature
• A fermenting vessel with an airlock system
• A siphon hose to transfer the mash
• A hydrometer to measure the alcohol content

Ingredients:

• Five pounds of cornmeal (preferably white or yellow)
• Eight pounds of sugar
• Eight gallons of water
• One packet of yeast (preferably distillers yeast)
• One cup of malted barley (optional)

Step 1: Cook the Cornmeal

The first step towards making a perfect moonshine mash is to cook the cornmeal. In a large pot, bring two gallons of water to a boil, then gradually stir in the five pounds of cornmeal while continuing to stir. Cook the mixture for around thirty minutes while stirring continuously to prevent burning and sticking. After the thirty minutes, remove the pot from heat and allow it to cool down to a warm temperature.

Step 2: Add Sugar

After your cooked cornmeal has cooled to a warm temperature, it’s now time to add the eight pounds of sugar. Keep stirring your mixture and make sure the sugar has fully dissolved before adding additional ingredients.

Step 3: Add the Malted Barley

Adding malted barley to the mixture isn’t mandatory, but it will help to break down the sugar and cornmeal into simpler sugars. As a result, this will facilitate fermentation. Boil another two gallons of water, add one cup of malted barley, and stir continuously for thirty minutes.

Step 4: Mix the Cornmeal and Sugar Solution with the Additional Water and Malted Barley

To complete the first phase of the mixture, it’s now time to combine the cornmeal and sugar solution with the additional two gallons of water containing the malted barley. Keep stirring the mixture to ensure it’s thoroughly combined.

Step 5: Check the Temperature

It’s crucial to ensure the mixture’s temperature has cooled down to around 70°F before proceeding to add the yeast. Yeast cannot survive at high temperatures, and adding it at high temperatures will result in its death, affecting the fermentation process’s effectiveness.

Step 6: Add the Yeast

Distillers yeast is a crucial ingredient while making moonshine mash. It is the catalyst that starts the fermentation process that converts sugar into ethanol. After checking the temperature, add the yeast to the mixture and stir to ensure it’s thoroughly combined.

Step 7: Fermentation Process

After mixing all the ingredients, transfer the solution to a fermenting vessel and attach an airlock system. The airlock system is necessary to release carbon dioxide produced during the fermentation process while preventing outside air from entering the vessel. Place the fermenting vessel in a warm environment (around 70°F) and leave it to ferment for around one week.

Step 8: Check the Alcohol Content

After one week, remove the airlock, and use a hydrometer to check the alcohol content. If the alcohol content is below 10%, allow the mixture to ferment for a longer period. But if the alcohol content is above 10%, your moonshine is ready.

Step 9: Distillation

Once you’re happy with the alcohol content, it’s now time to distill your moonshine by using a still. Distilling involves separating the alcohol from the water to obtain a high-proof alcohol product. Ensure you follow state and federal distilling guidelines and ensure you have the right permits before distilling your moonshine.

Step 10: Aging Process

The aging process is the final step towards making the perfect moonshine. Age your moonshine in an oak barrel or a preferred type of wood to enhance its flavor and aroma. Typically, aging the moonshine for six months to one year creates the perfect balance of aroma, flavor, and high-proof alcohol content. Keep the barrel in a cool and dark place for the best results.

In conclusion, making moonshine mash is a simple but tedious process. With patience, the right tools, ingredients, and following the steps outlined above, you can make the perfect moonshine mash to enjoy in your leisure time or share with friends and family. Good luck and remember always to follow state and federal guidelines when making and distilling moonshine.

Equipment needed to make moonshine mash

Moonshine production is an ancient and honorable tradition passed down through generations. Nowadays, the process has modernized, becoming a clean and safe process for spirits fanatics who seek homemade brews. Making moonshine mash is not as difficult as it seems, however, it requires some equipment along with patience and careful attention to detail.

Large pot or mash tun

A large pot is required for mixing the ingredients. For best results, choose a pot with at least a 10-gallon capacity. A mash tun is an alternative option, which is a large insulated container that is commonly used for brewing beer. It generally has a spigot near the bottom that helps to easily drain out the contents.

Thermometer

A digital or analog thermometer is necessary to measure the temperature of the mash. It’s essential to maintain a specific temperature range, as instructed in the recipe.

Hydrometer

A hydrometer is a device that measures the density of a liquid during the fermentation process. It helps to monitor the alcohol content in the mash, and find the perfect time to distill it.

pH meter

A pH meter is necessary for ensuring the mash is in the correct pH range. The pH range should be maintained between 5 and 6, which allows the yeast to thrive, yet prevents spoilage bacteria from multiplying.

Funnel

A funnel allows easy and clean transfer of the mash into a fermenting vessel.

Fermenting vessel

A fermenting vessel is where the mash is stored and allowed to ferment for a week to ten days. A food grade plastic bucket or carboy can be used. However, if you are producing a large quantity, stainless steel fermentation tanks would be a better option.

Airlock and bung

An airlock and bung together keep out oxygen, thereby allowing the release of carbon dioxide without letting air into the fermenting vessel. It helps to prevent the growth of unwanted bacteria and maintain the optimal environment for the yeast to do its job.

Yeast

Yeast is a key to the fermentation process, and there are different types of yeast available, depending on the type of moonshine you want to make. Some of the popular options include champagne and distillers yeast.

Sugar or other fermentable ingredients

Sugar is the main ingredient used to ferment a mash, however, you can also use grains, potatoes, or fruits to add flavor to your mash. It’s essential to maintain a right balance of sugar, so the yeast efficiently converts the mixture into alcohol.

Water

Water is a crucial component of the moonshine mash process, and typically, distilled water is the best option to avoid impurities and provide the right environment for the yeast to ferment. However, ensure that the water used is clean and free from chemicals.

Now that you have a good understanding of the necessary equipment, you can proceed to prepare the ingredients, mix the mash and start fermenting it. Remember to follow the directions carefully, maintain the appropriate temperature and pH range, and allow the yeast to do its job undisturbed. Cheers to making quality, homemade moonshine mash!

Ingredients

If you’re planning on making moonshine mash, the ingredients you will need will depend on the type of mash you want to create. Here are some basic ingredients that you can use:

Step 1: Collect your ingredients

The first step is to gather all of your ingredients. Make sure you have all the necessary ingredients before starting the process. The ingredients must also be of high quality to get the best results. This means using fresh grains and clean water.

Step 2: Create the Mash

Once you have all your ingredients gathered, it’s time to mix them together in a large pot. Add the cornmeal, barley and sugar in the pot, and pour in the water. Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure that everything is evenly distributed. Keep stirring until the mixture is smooth.

Step 3: Cook the Mash

Now it’s time to cook the mash. You will need a large cooking pot to cook the mash. Make sure you heat the pot over medium heat, and keep stirring the mash to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Keep the mixture at a steady temperature of 150 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Cool the Mash

After cooking, you will need to let the mash cool down to room temperature. This can take some time. Keep checking the temperature of the mash to ensure that it has cooled down to room temperature before moving to the next step.

Step 5: Add Yeast

Once the mash has cooled down to room temperature, add the yeast to the pot. Stir the mixture again to ensure that the yeast has been evenly distributed. Cover the pot with a lid, and let it sit at room temperature for at least 24 hours.

Making moonshine mash is a time-consuming process, but the end result is worth it. With these simple steps, you can create a mash that’s perfect for making your own moonshine. Just remember to always follow safety precautions when making moonshine, and always consume alcohol responsibly.

Bottoms Up!

Well folks, now you know how to make your own moonshine mash! Remember to always use caution when handling the mash and take note of the laws in your area. Moonshining can be a fun hobby that results in some tasty drinks, but it can also be dangerous if not done correctly. Thanks for reading and stop by again for more fun and easy DIY projects! Cheers!