And some info. from Texas, also 1 year ago.It's illegal period. You cannot distill alcohol in the United States without a license. Beer & Wine are not not considered distilled products as you do not use a still. If you are caught in possession of a still your property is considered subject to forfeiture. I have a distillery in Texas and have yet to make my first distillation due to the process, You must first buy your equipment, obtain a bond based on production, (mine was 25K, cost $750.00 per year) that is given to the fed as security in case you don't pay your taxes. Submit all of the required paperwork, financial statements with 6 mos of bank statements and then wait. You can hire and attorney for about $1,500.00 to file or do it yourself. Lots of background checks as well and references. Once approved you have to apply to COLA which is the federal approval for you labels, takes about 30 days. Meanwhile you have to file monthly production and processing reports and excise tax report even though you are not making a product. Next you have to file with the state of Texas. Remember the fed required you to buy your equipment first, the state of texas says it's illegal to possess a still without a license. Conflict between fed and state. TABC requires an application fee of approx $4,500.00 more paperwork, interviews, sign postings, newspaper ads etc. It takes about 60 days for a TABC license due to the sign posting requirements. The main thing is everyone has their hand out and want's their cut - the fed takes $13.50 per gallon in taxes, the taxes are paid on what is made not what is produced. The fed also has keys to your facility and 24/7 access for surprise visits. Yes you can make it without a license but if your caught you will be making license plates for a few years. The fed info is on the TTB website with all the processes. Look up the TABC website for manufacturing, Additionally, to make matter worse since prohibition there is a 3 tier system - you have to sell to a wholesaler, (some new exceptions since sep 1 2013 in Texas). If you want to make without a license think of it as not paying your taxes and see what happens.
@FoFa: well the moonshine is out but i can still brew my own beer =) Â SUBCHAPTER B. HOME PRODUCTION OF WINE, ALE, MALT LIQUOR, OR BEERSec. 109.21. HOME PRODUCTION OF WINE, ALE, MALT LIQUOR, OR BEER. (a) The head of a family or an unmarried adult may produce for the use of his family or himself not more than 200 gallons of wine, ale, malt liquor, or beer, per year. No license or permit is required.
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