No. Home production of moonshine remains illegal under federal and state law, with North Carolina enforcing strict penalties despite limited enforcement against small-scale personal use.
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) prohibits unlicensed distillation, while North Carolina’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission aligns with federal statutes. Local sheriffs’ offices, such as those in Buncombe or Mecklenburg Counties, have seized stills in recent years, though prosecutions for personal use are rare. A 2026 legislative proposal to decriminalize small-batch home distillation stalled, leaving the status quo intact.
Key Regulations for Making Moonshine at Home in North Carolina
- Federal Prohibition: The TTB explicitly bans unlicensed distillation under 26 U.S.C. § 5601, classifying even small-scale production as a felony punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and $10,000 in fines.
- State Enforcement: North Carolina’s ABC Commission, per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 18B-102, mirrors federal restrictions, with local ABC officers authorized to inspect suspected operations and seize equipment.
- Local Penalties: While personal consumption of homemade spirits is not criminalized, counties like Wake and Guilford prosecute possession of untaxed alcohol under local ordinances, with fines up to $500 for first offenses.