Your politics is your business. However, if you homebrew this is something you
should consider signing. If it wasn't for people doing this in 1978 it
would be 5 Years, $5,000 for homebrewing. Petition the Obama Administration to Legalize small-scale home distillation http://t.co/xS8LjRUp
Not convinced it's a good idea? Read my post Free Spirits in America, and watch this video. Yes there is a small bit of intelligence required to distill, and yes, there is a risk of fire if done over an open flame by a fool. But remember that this is American were fools are allowed to:
- Operate motor vehicles (yes I agree, stupid people should be banned from the road. Call your senator and get em' off the road).
- Operate a chain saw.
- Operate an acetylene torch.
- Use Knifes.
- Own semi-automatic firearms.
- Use a lawn mower.
- Walk on ice.
- The list goes on.
But if someone stupid wants to walk on ice, a five year prison sentence is a little harsh. Also keep in mind that legalizing is not the same as complete deregulation. But it would open doors for craft distillers in the making.
Update: There is a decent conversation going on over on reddit.com/r/homebrewing about this. My response to the prohibition era fear mongering that goes on during these discussions is the following.
Distilling is legal for your tractor, just not for you. So all the bit about fire, while it is a danger is a moot point. Its not the reason its illegal.
Nothing comes out the still, that didn't go in. If your homebrew was safe to drink going in, its safe coming out. Yes it is more concentrated and if done poorly might give you a headache.
The reason it's illegal is the same reason we have a three tier system in so many states, the same reason you can't legally homebrew in MS. See my blog post link above.
BCS pours a nice motor oil viscosity, with insignificant head, and a sheer caramel blackness. Overall this winter warmer comes in just under Founders CBS and a stretch past Founders KBS. Right next to Anchor Porter, Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, Dark Horse Plead the 5th, and Founders CBS (or KBS on tap) this is one of my favorite ales. Granted each tends to be just a bit different in style, and Bourbon County Stout holds its own with the most bourbon of any ale I have had. Thanks to David Stanley at Cascade Meijer for this years brew!
Bourbon County Stout.. Good to the Last Drop!

"Like their better known cousin the Leprechaun, Clurichauns are mischievous, Celtic fairies who enjoy playing practical jokes. Clurichauns (Kloo'-ra-kahns) live in wine cellars and are avid drinkers. Treat him well and a Clurichaun will use magical powers to guard your cellar, prevent casks from leaking, and keep the contents from going bad. A favorite Clurichaun pastime is riding sheep bareback on moonlit nights. These wee folk know how to party."So there you have it, having a few Clurichauns around is bound to be a good plan. Black Clu is good, the label is designed by a local, and the mead/melomel hopped concoction is created locally by Bardic Wells Meadery, a pretty much one man operation that produces meads only available in Michigan.
In the end the very best meads and melomels I have had, are my own. My buddy Jay makes a decent one as well. My favorite was the Blueberry Melomel that I last year. Meads can have some really off smells, normally the flavors are decent, but sometimes they smell like fingernail polish, body odor, or cardboard. My guess is that fermentation temps have a lot to do with this.The better ones, like Black Clu have a honey aroma that dominates the nose.
This Black Clu really grows on you. At first I wasn't crazy about it, but it keeps getting better with each glass. It's the best commercial mead I have had. Well worth purchasing.
I want to make another attempt at this brew being a bit more careful with my mash temps and sparging. I might also save some out that has no bourbon, coffee, oak, or vanilla to be able to compare the two.
Ingredients:
19 Lbs American Two Row Malt
2.5 Lbs Munich Malt
1.00 Lb Carmel/Crystal Malt (120 L)
½ Lb Carmel/Crystal Malt (40 L)
½ Lb Chocolate Malt
1 Lb Oatmeal
½ Lb. Black Patent Malt (Debittered)
¼ Lb Roasted Barley
3 oz Cascade (2 leaf, 1 pellets)
2 oz Willamette (Finishing)
1 Teaspoon Yeast Nutrient
1 Teaspoon Irish Moss
Cultured American Ale Yeast
Seven Vanilla Beans, Oak Chips, and Coffee beans in spirits pitched into secondary.
Makers Mark Bourbon at Kegging