The Crazy Truth About Hillbilly History that Made Us Rethink Our Opinions

The image of a hillbilly clandestinely distilling moonshine, often depicted with jugs adorned with three Xs, is a staple of American film and television lore. Moonshine, a potent home-brewed whiskey crafted from corn mash, traces its roots back to the Scots-Irish immigrants but surged in popularity during Prohibition, when its production became a lucrative, albeit illegal, venture.

Moonshiners traditionally operated under the veil of night, dodging the law to produce their illicit spirit. Despite its legally dubious origins, moonshine has been embraced as a symbol of American defiance and ingenuity, even earning June 5 the title of National Moonshine Day.