Contents
When I served in the army, there was a guy in our company who, as we thought, knew everything. Well, about history, of course. If you ask him about the Roman triremes, he will tell you. Tanks of the First World – yes, no question.
We even began to argue – who will ask this person a question that he cannot answer. Our deputy platoon commander decided to try his luck and asked about the history of moonshine, after which we heard a short lecture.
moonshine stills of antiquity
The boy started from ancient times. It turns out that moonshine stills, they are also distillers, were known back in Babylon for the XNUMXth millennium BC. e.
At that time, they bore little resemblance to their modern counterparts. They were rather clay pots of various shapes and sizes, adapted to fulfill certain purposes.
Note! The basic principle of operation of moonshine stills has not changed much over the past millennia.
Alambik is the oldest moonshine made of copper.
Yes, that in ancient times, that now, the main task of the distillate was to separate one substance from another by means of liquid evaporation.
One of the first, identical to modern, moonshine stills.
Moonshine stills of the Middle Ages
Moonshine stills owe their development, oddly enough, to alchemy. In medieval Italy, there lived a certain Valentius, who traded in this craft. And then one day, as the legends say, he decided to drink the liquid that he received on his distillate.
What prompted him to do so remains a mystery. Maybe he was looking for a recipe for the elixir of eternal youth, and invented a moonshine. Who knows?
The oldest distillate was found by archaeologists in the Bulgarian town of Obzor. The artifact belongs to the XNUMXth century. The device consists of three vessels connected by tubes.
On such a device, alchemists tried to get the philosopher’s stone, but it turned out differently.
The principle of its operation is simple: the largest of the vessels was put on fire, the liquid in it began to boil, the alcohol vapors entered the second container, and the finished product was extracted from the third.
One way or another, but in the XNUMXth century in Europe, moonshine was already a fairly common drink.
Modification of alchemy equipment used for more peaceful purposes.
How moonshine was brewed in Russia
The guy said it was interesting. Here I write only what I remember myself. He told legends, beliefs, funny cases and much more. But we were already eager to find out – when did moonshine stills appear in Mother Russia?
It turned out that this happened, in comparison with the same Europe, rather late. Under Tsar Ivan the Terrible. And even then, only noble people drank moonshine then. It was simply unaffordable for ordinary people.
And not only because of its high cost, the European drink did not take root in our country at first. The Russian people preferred tasteful drinks, so wine, mead, etc. were more popular in Russia.
The first moonshine stills in Russia bore little resemblance to their modern counterparts.
The founder of home-brewing in Russia is a certain Isidore, a Greek by nationality. Apparently, it was he who brought knowledge about the design of the distiller from his homeland.
At that time, a strong drink was made from rye and wheat, soaking them in a warm room and turning them into mash. The design of the apparatus itself practically did not differ from its European counterparts.
Note! Until the XNUMXth century, the population of Russia was considered one of the least drinking in the world.
It is inconvenient to cook moonshine on an open fire, so ordinary stoves were often used with the apparatus.
Moonshine stills of the USSR
Of course, senior officers could also tell us about moonshine in the Union, but we still decided to listen to our colleague. It was very interesting what he said.
In the USSR, moonshine stills began to spread in the 60s. Hard times in the country, lack of access to normal alcohol – there were many reasons. The important thing here is the finale.
At the moment, distillers gained such popularity that in some localities they completely stopped buying factory-made alcoholic beverages.
A simple but effective design.
The design of the apparatus was standard: a distillation cube, a coil, a steamer.
Note! In the USSR, the manufacture of moonshine for any purpose was a criminal offense.
Apparatuses in the Union were often made from improvised materials.
moonshine now
Now moonshine stills can be purchased even in stores. There are various options, as they say, for every taste and budget.
Progress does not stand still. He also touched moonshine. There were electric versions of them with built-in thermometers and other additions.
Progress does not stand still.
Systems automatically regulate the temperature and water level in the cube. In general, our grandfathers never even dreamed of such a thing.
Modern home brewing requires modern solutions.
Our colleague, following his tradition, told everything from ancient times to the present. We even applauded him for such a lecture. But maybe he didn’t tell everything? Maybe you can add something?
* And remember, dear friends, excessive drinking is bad for your health!