What was moonshine and how did it get its name?

Moonshine is an illegally produced distilled spirit, typically made from fermented corn mash. It is also called illegal whiskey, bootleg whiskey, or white lightning.

The name "moonshine" is thought to have originated in the 18th century, when Scottish and Irish immigrants to America began distilling whiskey illegally in the Appalachian Mountains. They would often do this at night, when the moon was out, in order to avoid being detected by the authorities. The name "moonshine" is also said to refer to the fact that this liquor was often made in the moonlight, when the distillers could not be seen.

During the American Revolution, moonshine was a popular drink among the colonists, who used it to toast their victory over the British. In the early 19th century, moonshine was produced on a large scale in the United States, and it was often used as currency in barter transactions.

However, the production and sale of moonshine became illegal in the United States with the passage of the National Prohibition Act in 1920. This law made it illegal to produce, transport, or sell alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of more than 0.5%. Moonshine continued to be produced illegally throughout Prohibition, and it was often sold on the black market.

After Prohibition was repealed in 1933, the production of moonshine declined, but it never completely disappeared. Today, moonshine is still produced in small quantities in the United States, and it is often sold at local liquor stores.