You may be wondering about craft moonshine this days, as chances are, when someone mentions moonshine your brain conjures up something along these lines: a dusty mason jar, a shady backwoods still, and a warning from your uncle’s friend that drinking it might make you go blind.
We’re here to set the record straight—with a full glass of history, a splash of science, and a shot of good ol’ rebellious spirit. No, properly made moonshine won’t make you go blind. Let’s take a ride through the truth behind this misunderstood American legend.
The Blindness Myth: Where Did It Start?
The myth that moonshine causes blindness has roots in truth – but not in real moonshine. During Prohibition (1920–1933), America saw a spike in illegal liquor production. Much of it was produced in secret with improper equipment or industrial alcohol, not exactly the careful craft we pour into our shine today.
Here’s the science:
- The real danger came from methanol, a toxic form of alcohol that can form during fermentation and distillation.
- Methanol metabolizes into formaldehyde and formic acid in the body, which can damage the optic nerve.
- Unscrupulous or untrained bootleggers didn’t know how – or didn’t care – to properly separate the “heads” (where methanol lives) from the “hearts” (the good stuff).
So yes, people did go blind from drinking badly made hooch. But it wasn’t the moonshine itself—it was bad distilling.
Modern Craft Moonshine: Backed by Chemistry
At Speed Shift Distillery, we’ve taken the wild spirit of moonshine and put it on the road to perfection. Our process is 100% legal, safe, and meticulously crafted. No radiator coils or engine degreasers. Just small-batch craft moonshine made from cane, and produced in copper stills, with the proper know-how.
How do we do it?
- Use professional-grade stills designed to properly separate methanol from ethanol.
- Monitor every distillation cut to ensure purity and flavor. Not only do we watch the temperature, but we taste every batch to find those perfect “hearts” to bottle.
- Craft moonshine with flavor and complexity – not just proof and punch.
The result? A modern shine that pays tribute to its rebellious roots without putting your eyesight—or your tastebuds—at risk.
A Legacy Born on the Backroads
Moonshine wasn’t just a drink. It was a movement. During Prohibition, it symbolized freedom, resistance, and a refusal to follow rules that didn’t make sense.
It also played a major role in NASCAR’s origins – bootleggers souped up their cars to outrun federal agents, laying the foundation for America’s favorite stock car sport. (We had such a great time learning about this while visiting the Mob Museum during a Viva Las Vegas celebration in 2018!)
Even today, moonshine evokes that same spirit of rebellion. It’s unfiltered, unbothered, and undeniably American.
How to Enjoy Craft Moonshine (Without the Worry)
Ready to try it for yourself? Here are a few smooth ways to sip our High Octane 108:
Neat – Experience the grain-forward character and warmth.
Moonshine Mule – Swap vodka for shine in a classic copper mug.
Blueberry Moonshine Mojito – A refreshing twist on the classic Mojito, with blueberries, mint, sugar, moonshine, and club soda. – Infused with fun and flavor (and no danger to your vision).
And don’t worry – you may still see stars… but they are just the kind that come from good flavor and high proof.
Final Thoughts: Shine Safe, Sip Smart
Moonshine got a bad rap because of bad distillers – not due to the spirit itself. Today’s craft moonshine, like what we make at Speed Shift Distillery, is every bit as safe as any top-shelf whiskey or gin. The myth of moonshine-induced blindness? Just a ghost from a bygone era.
So crack open a bottle, kick back, and enjoy the ride. You’re in good hands – and even better company.