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EddieM
Why is it serious offence to distil alcohol, yet it's perfectly legal to buy NGS? Neutral grain spirit. Odd.
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Says who?
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sodthisforfun
The tax man I would guess!
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EddieM
Which bit? you need a license to distil?
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As long as you have a licence and pay duty, it's legal....?
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sodthisforfun
It's not an offense/illegal if you have a license I would guess! I just presumed that Eddie meant that the normal average Joe at home can't distil.
Just like it's illegal for the average Joe to drive a car, unless.......
Not really unusual though.
Some years back this story brought a smile to my face.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/jul/14/boston-industrial-estate-explosion-alcohol
Another benefit of EU membership.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/jul/14/boston-industrial-estate-explosion-alcohol
Another benefit of EU membership.
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EddieM
Indeed, however there are no such limitations on brewing / fermenting. Very archaic law 're distilling.
Because distillation can cause fire, and even explosion?
Because distillation produces methanol (at the start anyway) and, if the distiller doesn't get it right, the produced alcohol can cause blindness if drunk?
Because distillation produces methanol (at the start anyway) and, if the distiller doesn't get it right, the produced alcohol can cause blindness if drunk?
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EddieM
Well... yes and no. The vast majority of distilling is not actually the production of NGS (neutral grain spirit, which by law must be over 96% ethanol, I think, well very high anyway) No, most of it is redistilling, which basically involves taking NGS and 're distilling it with aromatics (often Juniper) When redistilling there is no chance of producing methanol. Producing NGS is best left to an industrial method as it has absolutely no taste to it (Well apart from absolutely horrible)
homebrew is considered a small-time, non-commercial activity.
But bootleg spirits, because of the tax avoided, is a criminal activity very popular in some places, and sometimes dangerous.
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EddieM
Ok, so why are you allowed to buy the base materials, no questions asked?
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sodthisforfun
Is neutral grain spirit also used in making some more of the 'softer' booze?
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