Moonshiners (2011–…): Season 6, Episode 15 - Intruder Alert - full transcript
Winter is closing in fast, as shiners aim to finish their seasons strong; An intruder breaches the perimeter, leaving Josh and Chuck deep in debt; Meanwhile, Chico and Sondra's operation is...
Narrator: AS COOL OCTOBER
WEATHER DESCENDS ON APPALACHIA,
A SENSE OF URGENCY
MOUNTS IN THE BACKWOODS.
COLD NORTHERN WINDS SIGNAL
THE END OF SHINE SEASON.
AND THE RACE AGAINST
MOTHER NATURE IS ON.
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.
WHAT THE HECK?
IN LOUISIANA,
A STILL SITE TORN ASUNDER.
IT'S JUST AS CLOSE AS
WE'VE EVER HAD ANYBODY
AT THE STILL SITE.
IN NORTH CAROLINA,
TWO SHINERS ARE CAST ADRIFT.
AND THE JIG IS UP
IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
♪ NO ONE CAN HOLD ME DOWN ♪
♪ OR MAKE ME CHANGE MY WAYS ♪
♪ SO DON'T WASTE YOUR BREATH
SAYIN' ♪
♪ CRIME NEVER PAYS ♪
♪ GOIN' FOR A RIDE ♪
♪ RUNNIN' TO SURVIVE ♪
♪ WHEN YOU'RE LIVIN'
OUTSIDE THE LAW ♪
♪ WE'RE LIVIN'
OUTSIDE THE LAW ♪
Man: THIS IS HOW
WE MAKE THE MOONSHINE!
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
-YOU ALL RIGHT, DIGGER?
-DON'T TRY TO TURN AROUND
WITH THEM BIG
12-FOOTERS.
OH, I GOTS IT. DON'T LET IT
HIT YOU IN THE NUTS.
Narrator:
WITH ONLY A FEW WEEKS LEFT
IN THE SEASON,
THREE TENNESSEE SHINERS
HAVE A PLAN TO FINISH STRONG.
Mark:
IT'S WARMED UP AGAIN TODAY,
BUT WE CAN'T COUNT ON THAT.
WE'VE GOT TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS
FOR THIS MASH TO STAY WARM.
WE SET OURSELVES
A VERY LOFTY GOAL THIS SEASON --
900 GALLONS.
WE'VE NOT MET OUR GOAL YET,
BUT WE HAVE A BIG ORDER
FOR 100 GALLONS
OF OUR RYE APPLE MOONSHINE.
THIS IS THE BIGGEST SINGLE ORDER
THAT DIGGER AND I HAVE EVER HAD.
IF WE CAN ACHIEVE THIS
BEFORE WINTER,
WE'LL HIT 900 GALLONS.
WE MAY HAVE TO USE A COUPLE
OF THESE BARRELS FOR SAW HORSES.
YEAH.
LET'S PUT THEM RIGHT HERE
AND GET THEM PRETTY LEVEL.
BUT COOL WEATHER IS COMING,
SO WE'VE COME UP WITH SOMETHING
TO KEEP OUR MASH
INSULATED AND WARM
FOR THESE LAST FEW WEEKS
OF COLD WEATHER.
JUST PRAY FOR US, J.B.
ABOUT TIME FOR A NEW BLADE,
AIN'T IT, DADDY?
-NO.
-I'M TELLING YOU,
YOU DON'T NEED TO LET THAT SAW
KICK OUT ON YOU
AND CUT A FINGER OFF
OUT HERE.
I AIN'T CARRYING THAT THING
IN MY MOUTH
ALL THE WAY OUT OF HERE
JUST TO KEEP IT MOIST.
[ CHUCKLES ]
WE'RE GOING TO BUILD A BIG BOX,
INSULATE IT WITH STRAW.
IF WE CAN KEEP OUR MASH AT 70,
75 DEGREES,
WE CAN GET IT COOKED OFF.
Narrator: WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP
BELOW 50 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT,
THE YEAST IN MASH GOES DORMANT,
AND FERMENTATION STOPS.
TO KEEP THE MASH WARM
AND THE YEAST WORKING
DURING COLDER WEATHER,
MARK AND DIGGER
ARE BUILDING A BARREL CRIB.
IT CONSISTS OF A BOX CAPABLE
OF HOLDING FIVE BARRELS OF MASH.
ONCE IN THE BOX, THE BARRELS
WILL BE SURROUNDED WITH DAMP,
PACKED HAY, THEN COVERED WITH
HEAT-RETAINING FOIL INSULATION.
DUE TO THE PRESENCE
OF MICROORGANISMS,
THE HAY WILL BEGIN TO DECAY,
WHICH WILL IN TURN
GENERATE ENOUGH HEAT
TO KEEP THE BARRELS OF MASH WARM
THROUGH THE APPROACHING
AUTUMN NIGHTS.
Digger:
YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS?
WE'VE JUST MADE
A DAMN PLAYPEN FOR J.B.
WE BRING HIM THAT JAR OF LIQUOR
FOR A PACIFIER,
HELL, HE'LL BE GOOD TO GO,
WON'T HE?
LESS TALK, MORE WORK, BOYS.
WE'RE BURNING DAYLIGHT.
♪♪
-IS IT READY?
-YEAH.
WELL, HELL, LET'S MAKE A RUN.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO FIRST?
JUST PUMP IT ALL OVER HERE
AND GET IT STARTED.
-ALL RIGHT.
-LET HER DIG.
SHE'LL BE PUMPING.
HELL YEAH.
Narrator: ON A CRISP OCTOBER
MORNING IN SOUTH CAROLINA,
TWO SHINERS ARE PULLING
DOUBLE DUTY
AS THE END
OF THE SEASON APPROACHES.
Josh:
TODAY, OUR MASH IS READY TO RUN
AND WE'RE GOING TO RUN OFF
SOME APPLE BRANDY.
SMELLS REALLY GOOD, MAN,
REAL GOOD.
-GOT IT?
-THAT ONE'S ABOUT RIGHT HERE.
ALL RIGHT.
I SHUT IT OFF AT THE PUMP.
IT'S OFF.
GOOD DEAL, MAN.
WILL YOU CUT THAT GAS ON
RIGHT THERE?
ALL RIGHT.
Narrator: BARELY OUT OF THE GATE
ON THEIR 1,000-GALLON GOAL,
JOSH AND CHUCK PLAN
TO WINTERIZE THEIR STILL SITE
IN ORDER TO DISTILL YEAR ROUND.
BUT THE AMBITIOUS TASK OF
HARNESSING HYDROELECTRIC POWER
FROM THE OLD MILL'S WATER WHEEL
HAS STALLED THEIR
LIQUOR PRODUCTION EVEN FURTHER.
LET'S GO BE CARPENTERS
FOR A WHILE.
Josh: TODAY, WE'RE GOING
TO FINISH BUILDING
THIS WATER WHEEL,
AND WHILE WE'RE DOING THAT,
WE'RE GOING TO BUST OFF A RUN.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS
DAMN WATER SYSTEM
FOR WEEKS NOW.
AND THE WATER WHEEL IS REALLY
THE LAST BIG STEP,
SO WE GOT TO GET IT DONE.
ALL RIGHT.
I HATE TO TELL YOU THIS,
BUT WE'RE GOING TO GO
THROUGH THESE BATTERIES
-LIKE IT'S GOING OUT OF STYLE.
-I KNOW IT.
THAT'S WHY THAT WHEEL
NEEDS TO BE WORKING.
DON'T MOVE IT.
OH!
[ CHUCKLES ]
PECKERHEAD.
DON'T YOU GO AGGRAVATING ME
THIS LATE IN THE DAY, NOW.
THERE'S A BIG, OL'
WATER HOLE OVER THERE
-WITH YOUR NAME ALL OVER IT.
-I KNOW IT.
WINTER TIME IS ALMOST HERE.
MOST PEOPLE SHINE TILL FALL,
BUT WE'RE GOING
TO SHINE YEAR-ROUND.
THE WHEEL IS GONNA
CREATE POWER,
AND ONCE WE'RE ABLE
TO CREATE POWER,
WE'RE ABLE TO CREATE LIGHT,
AND WE'RE ALSO GOING
TO BE ABLE TO CREATE HEAT.
ALL RIGHT, GET A HOLD
OF THAT ONE THERE.
Chuck: WE'RE PUTTING THE BOXES
ON WHERE THE WATER COMES DOWN
AND GETS THE WHEEL TO SPIN.
WE'RE TRYING TO GET IT DONE.
WE KNOW WE'VE GOT
TO GET IT DONE.
WE'RE BUSTING BUTTS.
WAIT A MINUTE.
NO! [BLEEP]
THE BUCKET.
[BLEEP]
MY STUPID ASS FORGOT TO PUT
A 5-GALLON BUCKET
UNDERNEATH THE WORM
BEFORE WE GOT STARTED.
THE FREAKING BOARDS
IS ALL SOAKING WET RIGHT HERE.
I DON'T HAVE NO IDEA
HOW LONG IT'S BEEN RUNNING.
GUESS WHERE THAT LEAVES ME?
NOT KNOWING EXACTLY HOW MUCH
HEADS I GOT TO THROW AWAY,
'CAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH
IT DONE PISSED OUT
ON THE GROUND.
I JUST HAVE TO KIND OF
MAKE A GOOD GUESS AT IT.
Narrator: THE FIRST BIT OF SHINE
PRODUCED FROM A RUN,
ALSO KNOWN AS THE HEADS,
ARE THROWN AWAY
BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE
OF POISONOUS METHANOL.
YOU CAN SCREW UP PRETTY EASY,
PRETTY FAST
BY NOT KEEPING
A CLOSE EYE ON YOUR RUN.
OHH.
-I COULD USE A TASTE.
-ALL RIGHT, WELL, GO AHEAD.
IF IT'S GOOD,
I MIGHT GET TWO TASTES.
OH, YEAH.
WE WENT IN THERE
FOR A TASTE TEST.
-[ SIGHS ]
-THAT'S STOUT, AIN'T IT?
IT WAS VERY WELL RECEIVED,
VERY ENTHUSIASTICALLY.
Chuck:
I NEED TO SET THIS OVER HERE.
[ BELCHES ]
I DID DO IT.
[ LAUGHS ]
SURE, I KNOW IT.
HERE IT GOES.
I'M GONNA GO IN HERE
AND CHECK THIS BUCKET.
-IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT READY.
-OH, YEAH.
THAT'S TWO BUCKETS,
BIG CHUCK.
BE GLAD TO HAVE THIS PART
OF THIS SON OF A BITCH DONE.
-GET ANOTHER BOX.
-HERE.
GOD, I'M MAKING A MESS.
FIVE BUCKETS DOWN,
FILLING UP THE SIXTH ONE NOW.
DREW CAREY TELL YOU,
"SPIN THE WHEEL."
Josh: WE'RE BASICALLY DONE
WITH THE WATER WHEEL.
NOW WE NEED WATER FLOWING,
SO THERE'S STILL
SOME WORK YET TO DO.
WHAT DO YOU FIGURE
WE GOT ABOUT?
ABOUT 50 GALLONS,
MAYBE 55.
WE MADE ALL THESE
BUCKETS OF LIQUOR.
THE WHEEL'S DONE.
MAN, WE WORKED OUR BUTTS OFF
TODAY, YOU KNOW?
HE WANTS 75 GALLONS
OF PEPPER SHINE.
THIS SHRIMP BOAT CAPTAIN,
ALL THE WAY DOWN AT THE GULF.
ONLY THING I CAN THINK OF
IS YOU REMEMBER
WE WENT DOWN THERE FISHING,
WE GAVE THAT CAPTAIN
A JAR OF THAT PEPPER SHINE
FOR TAKING US?
I GUESS
HE MUST HAVE TASTED IT.
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY.
Narrator: DOWN IN LOUISIANA,
A FATHER AND DAUGHTER TEAM
IS HEADING INTO THE LAST STRETCH
OF THE SEASON.
NO. WE GOT TO TAKE IT TO HIM.
GOT TO GET IT ALL --
YEAH.
WHAT YOU THINK,
ABOUT $150, $175?
LOOK HOW BIG
THAT PEAR IS.
AFTER A SEASON OF CHASING
THE HARVEST CYCLE...
YUMMY, YUMMY, YUMMY
TO MY TUMMY.
...PATTI AND DAVID WILL BE
RUNNING ONE LAST CROP,
RETURNING TO ONE OF THEIR
TOP SELLERS FROM LAST SEASON,
JALAPEÑO PEPPER SHINE.
THROW EVERYTHING IN THERE,
EVEN THE TOP PART.
Patti: WITH US FOLLOWING
THE HARVEST CYCLE THIS SEASON,
WE KNEW WE WASN'T GOING
TO BE ABLE TO MAKE BIG BATCHES.
WE DID SET A GOAL OF 600 GALLONS
OF MOONSHINE THIS SEASON,
BUT WE'RE DEFINITELY
NOT GOING TO MEET THAT.
WE'LL MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE
WITH THE PRICE
THAT WE'RE MAKING WITH THIS,
SO WE'LL BE HAPPY
WITH THE DOLLAR SIGNS,
JUST NOT WITH THE GALLON SIGNS.
I TOLD YOU I BROUGHT YOU
SOME PEPPERS.
LAST SEASON, WE MADE
THE JALAPEÑO SHINE.
I'VE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE
STILL ASKING FOR IT,
AND RIGHT NOW,
IT'S THE JALAPEÑO TIME.
SO IT FITS IN WITH WHAT
WE'RE DOING THIS SEASON
WITH THE HARVEST CYCLE.
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.
WHAT THE HECK?
IT'S TWO DIFFERENT TRACKS.
-MAN.
-THEY DONE TORE UP
YOUR DANG LANTERN
AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
GOD DANG IT.
Narrator: COMING UP...
LOYALTIES ARE TESTED
IN TENNESSEE.
AND FOR TWO SHINERS,
COLD WEATHER THREATENS
TO END THE SEASON EARLY.
-IT AIN'T READY TO RUN.
-UNH-UNH, NO.
WHOA, WHOA.
WHAT THE HECK?
THEY DONE TORE UP YOUR DANG
LANTERN AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
THINK IT MIGHT
HAVE BEEN KIDS?
-IS IT ON?
-NO.
BATTERY'S DEAD.
GOD DANG.
I DON'T KNOW,
WHAT DO YOU THINK WE NEED TO DO?
YOU THINK WE OUGHT
TO STAY HERE?
THIS IS
MAKING ME NERVOUS.
WE HAD A CLOSE CALL ALREADY
OF A GUY COMING 30,
40, 50 YARDS FROM OUR SITE
LOOKING FOR HIS DOG.
[ MAN SHOUTS IN DISTANCE ]
WHO IS THAT?
[ MAN SHOUTS INDISTINCTLY ]
YOU KNOW, THAT'S A BIG RISK
THAT WE STAY HERE AT THIS SITE,
BEING THAT SOMEBODY'S
COME ON IT.
THIS HERE IS WAY TOO CLOSE.
THIS IS AS CLOSE AS WE'VE EVER
HAD ANYBODY AT THE STILL SITE.
YOU WANT TO STAY HERE?
YOU KNOW,
THAT TOOK US A LONG TIME
TO FIND THIS NICE SPRING
THAT WE HAVE HERE,
SO THIS IS A TOUGH DECISION
TO MAKE TO STAY HERE.
BUT WE'VE GOT TO STAY HERE.
I KNOW THAT KIND OF
SOUNDS KIND OF FOOLISH.
SOMEBODY HAS ACTUALLY
BEEN ON OUR SITE,
BUT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE
ANY OTHER CHOICE AT THIS POINT.
YES, THEY ARE.
WHEW!
[ COUGHS ]
THEY'RE HOT.
[ COUGHING ]
MY LIPS ARE ON FIRE.
THINK THAT'S ENOUGH,
AIN'T IT?
A LOT OF TENSION ON THIS ONE.
JUST WONDERING IF SOMEBODY'S
GOING TO COME IN
WHILE WE ARE ACTUALLY
RUNNING THE MOONSHINE.
THE FIRE UNDER THE STILL,
THAT'S A FELONY CHARGE,
SO, TIME IN PRISON FOR THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO GET
THIS MASHED IN REAL QUICK
AND COME BACK AND RUN IT
JUST AS SOON
AS IT'S DONE WORKING
AND GET THIS ORDER OUT.
I'M WITH YOU.
♪♪
Mike:
I'D SAY YOU RIGHT.
CAN YOU, BUDDY?
Narrator:
ON THE TENNESSEE STATE LINE,
TWO SHINERS ARE FIRING UP
FOR A LATE-SEASON RUN.
WELL, I GUESS
IT'S A MARK ROGERS SPECIAL.
EARLIER THIS SEASON,
NORTH CAROLINA SHINERS
JEFF, MARK, AND LANCE
DECIDED TO EXPAND
THEIR TERRITORY INTO TENNESSEE.
WITH AN AGREEMENT
TO POOL THEIR PROFITS,
MARK HAS THRIVED
IN HIS NEW ENVIRONMENT...
-IS IT GOOD?
-OH, WOW. YEAH.
...WHILE JEFF AND LANCE
HAVE STRUGGLED BACK AT HOME.
NOW MARK IS RECONSIDERING
THE VALUE OF THEIR PARTNERSHIP.
Mike: WHAT'S THE PLANS
FOR NEXT YEAR?
I NEED TO KNOW WHERE I STAND,
YOU KNOW, FOR NEXT SEASON.
IT'S STARTING TO GET
GOOD AND HOT NOW, MARK.
YEAH.
OH, YEAH.
THEY'RE READY TO BUY
85 GALLONS WORTH
RIGHT NOW.
WE GOT 60 GALLONS
WE'RE SITTING ON.
WE'LL HAVE 85
AFTER THIS RUN RIGHT HERE.
BUT I TELL YOU,
THE LAW,
THEY'RE STILL PATROLLING
AROUND PRETTY GOOD.
Mike: MARK MADE A DEAL THAT ME
AND HIM WILL RUN THE LIQUOR,
AND HE'LL JUST STAY HERE,
AND I'LL TAKE CARE
OF THE BOOTLEGGING.
BUT 85 GALLONS OF LIQUOR,
THAT'S A BIG LOAD OF LIQUOR.
I ASKED MARK TO HELP ME OUT
IN THIS SITUATION.
I'M SURE WE CAN, YEAH.
EXACTLY.
WE CAN POUR IT OUT,
SINK IT OR SOMETHING
IF WE HAVE TO.
YEAH, WE CAN DO THAT.
THERE IT IS, BUDDY.
NOW WE'RE GOING TO
THROW THESE HEADS AWAY.
PHEW.
GOD ALMIGHTY, THAT'S HOT.
THAT'S GOING TO BE
SOME GOOD LIQUOR.
Narrator:
MOONSHINERS USE THE TERM "HOT"
TO REFER TO STRONG,
HIGH-PROOF LIQUOR.
IT'S HOT, AIN'T IT?
OH, IT'S RUNNING JUST RIGHT,
RIGHT NOW, AIN'T IT?
YEP.
Narrator:
MIKE AND MARK'S RUN PRODUCED
A TOTAL OF 25 GALLONS,
WHICH COMPLETES THE 85-GALLON
ORDER FOR THEIR CLIENT.
Mike:
THAT'S LIQUID BENJAMINS, SON.
THAT'S MONEY IN THE POCKET.
-JOSH.
-YEAH?
-YOU KNOW WHAT I JUST SEEN?
-WHAT?
-A BIG, OLD GOLDEN NUGGET.
-YEAH, RIGHT.
YOU EVER THOUGHT
ABOUT DIGGING GOLD, CHUCK?
PHEW.
IF IT'S ANYTHING LIKE THIS,
I DON'T WANT TO THINK
ABOUT IT TOO MUCH.
Narrator:
AFTER WEEKS OF WORK,
SOUTH CAROLINA SHINERS
JOSH AND CHUCK
ARE READY TO SET THEIR GIANT
WATER WHEEL IN MOTION.
I AIN'T BELIEVING
THESE ROCKS, BOY.
THEY'LL USE A TRENCH
TO DIVERT STREAM WATER
175 YARDS DOWN HILL
THROUGH A TROUGH SYSTEM ENDING
AT THE MILL'S WATER WHEEL.
WHETHER OR NOT
THE WATER FLOWS ENOUGH
TO POWER THE WHEEL
REMAINS TO BE SEEN.
WELL, NOW I KNOW WHY THEM
OLD-TIMING MOONSHINERS
HAD THE WHOLE FAMILY
IN ON THE DEAL.
YEAH, 'CAUSE IT WAS
TOO MUCH DANG WORK,
AND YOU CAN'T TRUST
NOBODY ELSE.
I KNOW IT.
Josh: I KNOW SOME FOLKS
BACK IN THE DAY,
THEIR DADDY
WAS A MOONSHINER,
AND HE USED TO MAKE THEM
SIT ON THE TRAIL
TO THE STILL
WITH A SHOTGUN.
AND IF ANYBODY
COME UP THE TRAIL,
THEIR ORDERS WERE TO SHOOT
FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER.
EITHER WAY,
IT WAS LIFE OR DEATH.
PEOPLE WERE STARVING
TO DEATH.
HELL, YOU COULDN'T FIND A POSSUM
OR A RACCOON AROUND,
'CAUSE EVERYBODY
DONE EAT THEM ALL.
-I KNOW IT.
-YOU KNOW?
ROUGH TIMES, BOY.
I THINK WE MIGHT HAVE
GOT IT, JOSH.
YOU WANT ME TO GO AHEAD
AND BREAK IT?
YEAH, WE MIGHT AS WELL.
MAYBE WE'LL GET A LITTLE IDEA
OF WHAT'S GOING ON.
Josh: THE TROUGH'S DONE.
THE WATER WHEEL IS FINISHED.
SO NOW THERE'S
ONLY ONE THING TO DO.
AND THAT'S TO GO UP THERE
AND BREAK THE DAM
AND, WELL, LET THE WATER FLOW.
ALL RIGHT, BIG CHUCK,
THAT'S IT.
-ALL RIGHT.
-FINALLY.
IT'S RUNNING, BUDDY.
ALL RIGHT.
THERE IT GOES.
LET'S GO.
LET'S GO, EVERYBODY.
-I LOVE IT.
-THAT WATER'S MOVING, MAN.
IT'S ALREADY DOWN.
IT'S ALREADY AT
THE WHEEL ALMOST.
I'M ANXIOUS TO SEE
WHAT THIS WHEEL IS GOING TO DO.
Josh: I'M ANXIOUS TO SEE WHAT
THIS WHEEL IS GOING TO DO.
♪♪
OH, MAN, THIS IS KILLER.
THAT THING IS FLYING, AIN'T IT?
IT'S SPINNING, BOY.
IS THAT COOL OR WHAT?
I BET YOU THAT OLD WHEEL AIN'T
SPIN LIKE THAT IN A LONG TIME.
CAN WE GENERATE POWER NOW?
HAVE YOU LOOKED INSIDE
TO SEE HOW FAST IT'S SPINNING?
WE GOT IT SPINNING, MAN.
THAT THING'S SPINNING LIKE HELL.
WE GOT TO GREASE IT UP GOOD,
TIGHTEN THAT PULLEY IN THERE,
AND THAT THING
WILL BE GOOD TO GO, MAN.
Josh: GOD, I CAN'T BELIEVE
WE FINALLY GOT IT DONE.
THAT'S A SWEET SIGHT.
NOW WE GOT TO GET US
A LITTLE POWER.
Josh:
GETTING THE STILL SITE DONE
HAS TURNED OUT
TO BE A WHOLE LOT OF WORK.
WINTER TIME'S ALMOST HERE,
SO WE'RE TRYING TO RUSH.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE
THIS WATER WHEEL,
BASICALLY HOOK UP
A CONVERSION SYSTEM
THAT CONVERTS IT TO A.C. POWER.
WE'RE GOING TO PUT A LITTLE
RADIATOR INSIDE THIS ROOM,
AND WITH ANY LUCK, WE'LL BE ABLE
TO MAKE MASH ALL WINTER LONG.
Digger: IT'S GOING TO BE
A COOL DAY, J.B.
DID YOU PUT
YOUR WARM PANTIES ON?
Narrator: DOWN IN TENNESSEE,
J.B., MARK, AND DIGGER
ARE IN A RACE
AGAINST MOTHER NATURE
TO FINISH THEIR BARREL CRIB
AND MASH IN THEIR RYE APPLE.
Digger: WELL, LET'S START
TO JUST THROW THAT
AND LET IT SCATTER
ALL OVER THE PLACE.
KIND OF LIKE FEEDING CATTLE,
AIN'T IT, J.B.?
YEAH.
THEY'LL USE STRAW AS INSULATION
TO KEEP THE MASH WARM
SO IT CAN CONTINUE TO FERMENT
EVEN AS TEMPERATURES DROP.
THAT'S JUST GOING TO BE
LIKE A BIG BLANKET.
THE FACT THAT WE JUST KEEP
THE COOL AIR OFF OF IT
MAKES A WORLD
OF DIFFERENCE.
WATCH OUT HERE.
OH, HE'S GOING
TO TURN IT OVER.
IF WE'D KNOWN YOU WAS GOING
TO DO THAT,
WE'D HAVE PUT SOME ROCKS ON
THIS SIDE TO BALANCE THAT OUT.
-SMART ASS.
-MR. SMART ASS TO YOU.
AIN'T NOTHING ABOUT LIQUOR EASY,
EXCEPT DRINKING IT.
-WE GOT TO PAINT THIS BOX.
-YEAH,
IT STANDS OUT LIKE
A WHORE IN CHURCH,
-DON'T IT?
-YEAH.
WE'LL BE HIRING THEM GOATS
ON THE MOUNTAIN HERE
AFTER A WHILE.
HAVE MERCY,
HOW GOOD THAT LOOKS.
YEAH, BOY.
WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING
TO START THE MASHING IN TODAY.
WE MASH OUR APPLES
IN ONE BARREL,
AND WE MASH THE RYE SIDE
IN ANOTHER BARREL.
Digger: YOU GET HER PUMP GOING.
I'LL GET A TANK HOOKED UP.
USED TO WE'D SIMPLY JUST BLEND
THE FLAVORS THEMSELVES TOGETHER,
BUT NOW WE PUT
THE RYE MASH IN ONE STILL,
AND WE PUT THE APPLE MASH
IN ANOTHER STILL.
IT SEEMS TO HAVE A BETTER FLAVOR
WHEN WE BLEND THEM
IN THE THUMP KEG.
Digger: YOU STICK THAT FIRING
DEVICE IN THERE,
AND I'LL GET
THIS POT A-GOING.
WHOA.
I SMELL FIRE.
THESE RIGHT HERE
IS GOOD AND RIPE, J.B.
WE DON'T NEED TO WORRY
ABOUT CUTTING THEM.
Digger: WE LIKE TO USE
TWO DIFFERENT APPLES.
CAROUSEL APPLES
AND GRANNY SMITHS,
THEY BRING MORE FLAVOR
TO THE PARTY
THAN ANY APPLE WE'VE FOUND.
OH, YEAH. YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD
AND DO THAT?
YEAH, BOY.
GRINDING YOUR RYE
TO A FINER POWDER,
IT WORKS MUCH BETTER BECAUSE
WE CAN KICK IT UP QUICKER.
THAT'S AWFUL FINE,
THERE, DIGGER.
YOU RECKON THERE'S ANY NEED
TO GRIND THAT AGAIN?
-I CAN'T SEE NONE.
-JIM TOM SAID
AS LONG AS IT BUSTED THE GUTS
OUT OF IT
AND POWDERED IT UP.
LAST YEAR, WE BROUGHT OLD
JIM TOM OVER HERE TO HELP US
-A LITTLE BIT.
-WHEN YOU GRIND THE RYE,
MAKE SURE A BIT OF THE GUTS
IN IT COMES OUT.
THAT'S DOING THE TRICK NOW.
Mark: THAT RYE SMELLS GOOD,
DON'T IT?
-YEAH, IT DO.
-LET'S SWEETEN IT UP A LITTLE.
THAT'S WHAT MAKES YOUR
"ALKY-HOL" RIGHT THERE, BOYS.
YEP. YOU USED TO BE
EATING THAT SUGAR
-AND PISSING OUT THAT ALCOHOL.
-THEY WILL.
-AND BURPING OUT THAT CO2.
-YEAH.
IS IT GOING TO RAIN?
-HERE WE COME.
-HERE WE COME, RAINSTORM.
WE JUST NEED TO SHAKE THAT UP
A LITTLE BIT.
SHAKE IT UP A LITTLE BIT,
AND WE'LL PUT THE LID ON THAT
SO THAT RAIN DON'T COOL IT OFF,
AND WE'LL GET OUT OF HERE.
Mark:
COOL WEATHER'S UPON US.
WE GOT TO HURRY.
WE'VE NOT MET OUR GOAL YET,
SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE
TO CATCH UP IN A HURRY
IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE
OUR 900-GALLON GOAL THIS SEASON.
YEAH, WE GOT TO GO.
IT'S RAINING.
WE'LL DO IT GOOD
TOMORROW.
THIS IS THE WAY, J.B.!
[ WHISTLES ]
HERE WE ARE.
Narrator: ON THE TENNESSEE-
NORTH CAROLINA BORDER,
MARK IS MEETING
HIS PARTNER, MIKE.
LEERY OF TRANSPORTING LIQUOR
ON THE ROADS,
THEY'RE USING FONTANA LAKE
TO BOOTLEG AN 85-GALLON ORDER.
Mike:
I GOT A FELLER LINED UP
TO SELL TO ACROSS THE LAKE
ON THE BOAT DOCK.
THAT'S IT.
THAT'S ALL OF THEM, BUDDY.
Narrator: WHEN IT CAME
TO AVOIDING THE LAW
WHILE TRANSPORTING LIQUOR,
PROHIBITION ERA BOOTLEGGERS'
SAFEST ROUTE WAS BY WATER,
AND THE KING OF THE WATER
WAS LEGENDARY RUM RUNNER
CAPTAIN BILL McCOY,
WHO SMUGGLED WHISKEY
FROM THE BAHAMAS
TO THE EASTERN U.S. SEABOARD
THROUGHOUT THE 1920s.
IT'S REPORTED THAT EACH RUN
HE MADE FROM THE PORT OF NASSAU
TO MARTHA'S VINEYARD
ON HIS SHIP,
THE ARETHUSA, WOULD NET HIM
$300,000 IN PROFIT.
EVER THE INNOVATORS,
SOME BOOTLEGGERS FOUND WAYS
TO TRANSPORT LIQUOR ACROSS WATER
WITHOUT USING BOATS.
A TORPEDO-LIKE CONTAINER
AND CABLE SYSTEM
WAS USED TO HAUL LIQUOR
FROM CANADA'S PEACH ISLAND
ACROSS THE BORDER TO DETROIT.
WHEN A U.S. CUSTOMS INSPECTOR
PATROLLING THE DETROIT RIVER
SPOTTED A SUSPICIOUS CONTAINER
BEING HAULED TO SHORE,
HE FOLLOWED IT TO A HOUSE
ON THE WATERFRONT.
THE BOOTLEGGERS GOT AWAY,
BUT THE TORPEDO
AND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS WORTH
OF ILLEGAL HOOCH WERE SEIZED.
Mike:
BETTER GET OUT OF HERE.
[ ENGINE SPUTTERING ]
HELL, MAYBE GIVE IT
A LITTLE GAS IN NEUTRAL?
[BLEEP]
[ ENGINE SPUTTERING ]
Mike: HELL, MAYBE GIVE IT
A LITTLE GAS IN NEUTRAL?
[BLEEP]
[ ENGINE STARTS ]
ONE GOOD THING ABOUT IT --
IF WE CAN'T SEE THAT GOOD,
NOBODY ELSE CAN, EITHER.
WELL, I'D HATE TO GET CAUGHT
WITH ALL THAT, THOUGH. WHEW.
[ CHUCKLES ]
THERE THEY ARE RIGHT THERE.
THAT'S THE ONE
WE'RE LOOKING FOR, AIN'T IT?
LIGHTS.
-THAT'S IT.
-THAT'S THE MONEY.
-THAT'S RIGHT.
-ALL RIGHT, GENTLEMEN.
THANK YOU, BUDDY.
-GOOD DOING BUSINESS WITH YOU.
-THANK YOU, MAN.
LET'S GET
OUT OF HERE, BUDDY.
I'M GLAD TO HAVE THIS
OVER WITH, AIN'T YOU, BUDDY?
IF YOU'RE SUCH A DAMN GOOD
STILL BUILDER,
YOU'D HAVE BUILT THIS ONE
OUT OF ALUMINUM.
WOULD THAT MAKE IT
MORE GOODER?
IT'D MAKE IT
MORE LIGHTER-GOODER.
Narrator: IN EAST TENNESSEE,
MARK AND DIGGER
ARE DUSTING OFF
THEIR INNOVATIVE TWO-POT STILL
TO MEET THE END-OF-SEASON DEMAND
FOR THEIR RYE APPLE.
Digger: RIGHT NOW,
WE'RE KIND OF UP AGAINST IT.
GETTING LATE IN THE SEASON,
COOLER NIGHTS,
WE'VE GOT TO RUSH,
OR WE'RE GOING TO BE
FACING A HORRIBLE OBSTACLE
WE CAN'T OVERCOME.
THAT'S MOTHER NATURE.
WHERE YOU WANT TO START AT,
RIGHT HERE ON THE FRONT BURNER?
YEAH.
Mark: WELL, IN ORDER TO RUN
OUR RYE APPLE MOONSHINE
WE HAVE TO DO IT
ON THE DOUBLE-POT STILLS.
WE CALL THEM THE TWINS.
-WHOA. AH, HELL.
-DAMN IT.
Mark: UNION BRICK MASONS,
WE ARE NOT.
WE AIN'T EVEN NON-UNION.
WITH THIS OUTFIT,
Digger: WE'VE GOT ONE STILL
WITH APPLE MASH IN IT,
ONE STILL THAT
HAS RYE MASH IN IT,
AND IT'S ALL BLENDED THERE
IN THE DISTILLATION,
NOT AFTER DISTILLATION LIKE
A LOT OF BLENDED WHISKEYS ARE.
Narrator: WHEN MAKING A BLENDED
SPIRIT, MOST MOONSHINERS
DISTILL EACH TYPE
OF MASH SEPARATELY.
ONCE DISTILLED,
THE TWO ALCOHOLS ARE BLENDED
TO THE DESIRE FLAVOR PROFILE.
BUT WITH MARK AND DIGGER'S
TWO-POT STILL SETUP,
THEY'LL RUN
TWO DIFFERENT MASHES,
ONE RYE AND ONE APPLE BRANDY,
SIMULTANEOUSLY
IN TWO SEPARATE POTS
THAT WILL FEED INTO THE SAME
DOUBLER AND CONDENSER.
YIELDING A BLENDED RYE APPLE
BRANDY STRAIGHT FROM THE STILL.
THE PROCESS MAKES
FOR A SMOOTHER LIQUOR
AND CUTS PRODUCTION TIME
IN HALF.
♪♪
Mark: THIS IS THE FIRST RUN
ON THIS STILL THIS SEASON.
ALL THE FITTINGS, CONNECTIONS,
THE THUMP POST,
THUMP ARMS, YOU KNOW,
ALL THAT HAS
TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR.
YEAH, WE HAD THAT
IN THERE.
YEP.
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY MAKES
ANY BETTER LIQUOR THAN WE DO.
-I'M SURE THEY DON'T.
-BUT I'M DAMNED CERTAIN
THAT THERE AIN'T
NOBODY GOT ANY
SEXIER-LOOKING STILL OUTFITS
THAN WE GOT.
WELL, THAT [BLEEP] DREAMS
IS MADE OF.
DID YOU EVEN LOOK
AT THAT MASH?
NO, NOT YET.
WE'VE GOT OUR GOAL
IN EYESHOT RIGHT NOW.
IF THE BARREL CRIB WORKS GOOD,
WE'RE GOING TO
GET THERE PRETTY QUICK.
BUT YOU KNOW, WEATHER'S
THREATENING US HERE.
YOU KNOW, WE CAN BE
OUT OF BUSINESS
A MONTH EARLIER
THAN WE NEED TO BE.
Digger: OH, YEAH, BOY.
MM.
DAMN.
WOW.
-IT AIN'T READY TO RUN.
-UNH-UNH, NO.
IN THE MOUNTAINS,
IT WAS IN THE MID-
TO HIGH-40s THIS MORNING.
THIS COLD WEATHER,
IT STOPPED FERMENTATION.
IT SLOWED IT DOWN TO A CRAWL.
AND WITH EARLY FROST COMING,
THAT'S OUR WORST ENEMY
RIGHT NOW.
WE'VE GOT TO PUSH A LITTLE BIT
MORE ALCOHOL OUT,
AND WE CAN'T DO IT WITH COOL
TEMPERATURES IN A FAST MANNER.
WELL, LET'S COVER IT
BACK UP.
IT WOULD BE MORE GOODER
IN A DAY OR TWO.
HOPEFULLY, WE GET
A COUPLE OF WARMER DAYS.
WE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE
TO MAKE THIS 900-GALLON MARK
THAT I SET FOR US.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO STEP IT UP,
OR WE'RE GOING TO BE
BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE
TO EAT STORE-BRAND BALONEY
THE REST OF THE WINTER.
Digger:
SOUP DU JOUR, GENTLEMEN.
Mark: THEY MAY NOT BE PRETTY,
BUT THEY SURE ARE UGLY,
-AIN'T THEY?
-[ LAUGHS ]
-I LIKE 'EM, DON'T YOU?
-YEAH, I LIKE 'EM.
THEY AIN'T NOTHING
BUT DAMN CONGEALED LARD.
THAT'S ALL IT IS,
LIPS [BLEEP]
BUT THIS CUISINE
THAT WE'RE PUTTING DOWN,
IT'S IN EVERY
COUNTRY BOY'S QUIVER
TO HAVE HIM SOME BANG
AND SAUSAGES.
AND AS LONG AS THE SIDES
OF THESE CANS
AREN'T SWELLING UP,
IT'S STILL GOOD.
YEAH.
WELL, YOU CAN'T TAKE SANDWICHES
AND STUFF IF THEY'VE GOT,
LIKE, MAYONNAISE.
NOT UNLESS YOU WANT TO SPEND
THE REST OF YOUR TIME
HUNKERED UP
POOPING BEHIND THE TREE.
[ LAUGHS ]
Patti: LET ME CHECK THIS
CAMERA FIRST.
AND ALSO BE LOOKING
FOR FOOTPRINTS, DADDY.
♪♪
Narrator: AFTER THE BREACH
OF THEIR STILL SITE,
PATTI AND DAVID ARE CHECKING
THEIR TRAIL CAMS
BEFORE STARTING TO RUN
THEIR JALAPEÑO MOONSHINE.
GOT YOU ON IT.
THAT'S ALL I'M SEEING.
IT'S A BIG RISK
THAT WE STAY HERE AT THIS SITE,
BEING THAT SOMEBODY'S
COME ON IT.
BUT WHAT DO WE DO?
IT'S TOO LATE IN THE SEASON
TO BE TRYING TO FIND
SOMEWHERE ELSE,
SO WE'RE GOING TO TRY
TO GET ALL THIS DONE
AND GET OUT OF HERE
AS QUICK AS WE CAN.
WE HAVE GOT TO REALLY
KEEP OUR EYE OUT ON THIS.
WHEW.
JALAPEÑO, AIN'T IT?
I HOPE SO.
WHEW. HIGH ALCOHOL
AND HIGH HOT PEPPER.
WE'VE GOT THIS BIG ORDER
OF THE CAJUN SHINE,
SO WE'VE GOT
TO HAVE TWO STILLS DOING THIS.
THIS RUN IS
REAL CONCERNING TO ME.
WE JUST HAVE TOO MANY
CLOSE CALLS.
I'M READY TO GET THIS OVER WITH
AND GET IT DONE
AND I DON'T WANT TO TAKE
A CHANCE OF HAVING A GOOD SEASON
AND END IT BAD
WITH US GOING TO JAIL.
WE READY TO START POURING IN?
[ COUGHING ]
-I KNOW.
-[ LAUGHS ]
I'M GONNA LIGHT THE FIRE.
'BOUT TO GET YOURS
PASTED UP OVER THERE, DADDY?
Narrator: NAMED FOR THE TELLTALE
SOUND IT PRODUCES,
THE THUMP KEG OR DOUBLER
FURTHER PURIFIES THE ALCOHOL
AS IT PASSES FROM THE POT
TO THE CONDENSER.
Patti:
YOURS HEATING UP?
YEAH, YOU'RE STARTING TO.
DANG, IT'S HOT ALL RIGHT HERE.
DANG SURE IS.
WHEW, SMELL THEM PEPPERS.
LET THAT RUN OFF.
PRETTY AND CLEAR, AIN'T IT.
HERE, DADDY,
POUR THESE HEADS OUT,
AND THEN I'LL PROOF IT.
160.
[ LAUGHS ]
YOU CAN TASTE
THE PEPPERS, THOUGH.
[ SPITS ]
THAT TASTES GOOD.
WHOO!
THE WHOLE POINT OF MAKING
JALAPEÑO MOONSHINE
IS YOU BE ABLE
TO TASTE THE PEPPER.
SO IT'S GOT A GOOD TASTE
OF PEPPER IN THIS.
Narrator:
PATTI AND DAVID'S FIRST RUN
OF THE SPICY PEPPER SHINE
HAS THEM WELL ON THEIR WAY
TO MEET THEIR SEASON-END ORDER.
WE GOING TO GET
SOME GOOD LIQUOR OFF OF THIS.
WHEW! THAT'S GOOD.
GUESS WE COULD USE THIS FOR
A BRACE OR BOTTOM OR SOMETHING?
JUST GOING TO SAW IT OFF
RIGHT THERE.
Josh: THIS STILL SITE,
WE'VE GOT FRESH WATER.
WE'VE GOT A KILLER
BUILDING TO BE IN.
WE'RE GOING TO GENERATE
ELECTRICITY,
AND EVERYTHING IS FINALLY
STARTING TO COME TOGETHER.
Narrator: OVER ON THE PIEDMONT,
JOSH AND BIG CHUCK
HAVE DAMNED OFF
THEIR WATER SUPPLY
SO THEY CAN
INSTALL THE ALTERNATOR,
THE LAST PIECE OF THEIR
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PROJECT.
Josh:
WHEN THAT WATER WHEEL SPINS,
IT'S GOING TO SPIN
THE ALTERNATOR.
THE ALTERNATOR IS GOING
TO GENERATE POWER.
AND THEN I'LL HAVE CONTINUOUS
A.C. AND D.C. POWER
THE WHOLE TIME.
YOU CAN SPIN IT
THE OTHER DIRECTION,
OR SPIN IT LIKE IT IS NOW.
JUST LET IT KEEP GOING A MINUTE.
HOW ABOUT THAT?
Narrator: JOSH IS INSTALLING
THE CHAIN THAT WILL DRIVE
THE ELECTRICITY-PRODUCING
ALTERNATOR.
HEY, BIG CHUCK, WILL YOU QUIT
SPINNING THAT WHEEL FOR ME,
-BUDDY?
-OKAY, I GOT IT.
THIS CHAIN FITS PERFECT.
COOL.
OH.
I'M GOING TO HAVE
TO MOVE
THE SPROCKET OVER SOME
AND I'M GOING TO HAVE TO TACK IT
TO THE SHAFT THAT IT'S ON,
'CAUSE IT'S JUST SPINNING,
AND THE SPROCKET'S NOT.
[ Whispering ]
HEY, HEY, HEY, SOMEBODY'S HERE.
SOMEBODY'S HERE.
Narrator:
NEXT TIME ON "MOONSHINERS"...
THE END IS NIGH IN KENTUCKY.
-WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.
-WHAT IS IT?
12-GAUGE SLUGS.
[ SIREN WAILING ]
OH, NO, THIS AIN'T GOOD.
Narrator:
A RUN-IN ON OLD ROCKY TOP.
AFTERNOON, LIEUTENANT.
This is a prepaid call
from Pittsylvania County Jail.
Narrator: AND A VOICE FROM
THE PAST COMES CALLING.
WEATHER DESCENDS ON APPALACHIA,
A SENSE OF URGENCY
MOUNTS IN THE BACKWOODS.
COLD NORTHERN WINDS SIGNAL
THE END OF SHINE SEASON.
AND THE RACE AGAINST
MOTHER NATURE IS ON.
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.
WHAT THE HECK?
IN LOUISIANA,
A STILL SITE TORN ASUNDER.
IT'S JUST AS CLOSE AS
WE'VE EVER HAD ANYBODY
AT THE STILL SITE.
IN NORTH CAROLINA,
TWO SHINERS ARE CAST ADRIFT.
AND THE JIG IS UP
IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
♪ NO ONE CAN HOLD ME DOWN ♪
♪ OR MAKE ME CHANGE MY WAYS ♪
♪ SO DON'T WASTE YOUR BREATH
SAYIN' ♪
♪ CRIME NEVER PAYS ♪
♪ GOIN' FOR A RIDE ♪
♪ RUNNIN' TO SURVIVE ♪
♪ WHEN YOU'RE LIVIN'
OUTSIDE THE LAW ♪
♪ WE'RE LIVIN'
OUTSIDE THE LAW ♪
Man: THIS IS HOW
WE MAKE THE MOONSHINE!
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
-YOU ALL RIGHT, DIGGER?
-DON'T TRY TO TURN AROUND
WITH THEM BIG
12-FOOTERS.
OH, I GOTS IT. DON'T LET IT
HIT YOU IN THE NUTS.
Narrator:
WITH ONLY A FEW WEEKS LEFT
IN THE SEASON,
THREE TENNESSEE SHINERS
HAVE A PLAN TO FINISH STRONG.
Mark:
IT'S WARMED UP AGAIN TODAY,
BUT WE CAN'T COUNT ON THAT.
WE'VE GOT TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS
FOR THIS MASH TO STAY WARM.
WE SET OURSELVES
A VERY LOFTY GOAL THIS SEASON --
900 GALLONS.
WE'VE NOT MET OUR GOAL YET,
BUT WE HAVE A BIG ORDER
FOR 100 GALLONS
OF OUR RYE APPLE MOONSHINE.
THIS IS THE BIGGEST SINGLE ORDER
THAT DIGGER AND I HAVE EVER HAD.
IF WE CAN ACHIEVE THIS
BEFORE WINTER,
WE'LL HIT 900 GALLONS.
WE MAY HAVE TO USE A COUPLE
OF THESE BARRELS FOR SAW HORSES.
YEAH.
LET'S PUT THEM RIGHT HERE
AND GET THEM PRETTY LEVEL.
BUT COOL WEATHER IS COMING,
SO WE'VE COME UP WITH SOMETHING
TO KEEP OUR MASH
INSULATED AND WARM
FOR THESE LAST FEW WEEKS
OF COLD WEATHER.
JUST PRAY FOR US, J.B.
ABOUT TIME FOR A NEW BLADE,
AIN'T IT, DADDY?
-NO.
-I'M TELLING YOU,
YOU DON'T NEED TO LET THAT SAW
KICK OUT ON YOU
AND CUT A FINGER OFF
OUT HERE.
I AIN'T CARRYING THAT THING
IN MY MOUTH
ALL THE WAY OUT OF HERE
JUST TO KEEP IT MOIST.
[ CHUCKLES ]
WE'RE GOING TO BUILD A BIG BOX,
INSULATE IT WITH STRAW.
IF WE CAN KEEP OUR MASH AT 70,
75 DEGREES,
WE CAN GET IT COOKED OFF.
Narrator: WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP
BELOW 50 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT,
THE YEAST IN MASH GOES DORMANT,
AND FERMENTATION STOPS.
TO KEEP THE MASH WARM
AND THE YEAST WORKING
DURING COLDER WEATHER,
MARK AND DIGGER
ARE BUILDING A BARREL CRIB.
IT CONSISTS OF A BOX CAPABLE
OF HOLDING FIVE BARRELS OF MASH.
ONCE IN THE BOX, THE BARRELS
WILL BE SURROUNDED WITH DAMP,
PACKED HAY, THEN COVERED WITH
HEAT-RETAINING FOIL INSULATION.
DUE TO THE PRESENCE
OF MICROORGANISMS,
THE HAY WILL BEGIN TO DECAY,
WHICH WILL IN TURN
GENERATE ENOUGH HEAT
TO KEEP THE BARRELS OF MASH WARM
THROUGH THE APPROACHING
AUTUMN NIGHTS.
Digger:
YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS?
WE'VE JUST MADE
A DAMN PLAYPEN FOR J.B.
WE BRING HIM THAT JAR OF LIQUOR
FOR A PACIFIER,
HELL, HE'LL BE GOOD TO GO,
WON'T HE?
LESS TALK, MORE WORK, BOYS.
WE'RE BURNING DAYLIGHT.
♪♪
-IS IT READY?
-YEAH.
WELL, HELL, LET'S MAKE A RUN.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO FIRST?
JUST PUMP IT ALL OVER HERE
AND GET IT STARTED.
-ALL RIGHT.
-LET HER DIG.
SHE'LL BE PUMPING.
HELL YEAH.
Narrator: ON A CRISP OCTOBER
MORNING IN SOUTH CAROLINA,
TWO SHINERS ARE PULLING
DOUBLE DUTY
AS THE END
OF THE SEASON APPROACHES.
Josh:
TODAY, OUR MASH IS READY TO RUN
AND WE'RE GOING TO RUN OFF
SOME APPLE BRANDY.
SMELLS REALLY GOOD, MAN,
REAL GOOD.
-GOT IT?
-THAT ONE'S ABOUT RIGHT HERE.
ALL RIGHT.
I SHUT IT OFF AT THE PUMP.
IT'S OFF.
GOOD DEAL, MAN.
WILL YOU CUT THAT GAS ON
RIGHT THERE?
ALL RIGHT.
Narrator: BARELY OUT OF THE GATE
ON THEIR 1,000-GALLON GOAL,
JOSH AND CHUCK PLAN
TO WINTERIZE THEIR STILL SITE
IN ORDER TO DISTILL YEAR ROUND.
BUT THE AMBITIOUS TASK OF
HARNESSING HYDROELECTRIC POWER
FROM THE OLD MILL'S WATER WHEEL
HAS STALLED THEIR
LIQUOR PRODUCTION EVEN FURTHER.
LET'S GO BE CARPENTERS
FOR A WHILE.
Josh: TODAY, WE'RE GOING
TO FINISH BUILDING
THIS WATER WHEEL,
AND WHILE WE'RE DOING THAT,
WE'RE GOING TO BUST OFF A RUN.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS
DAMN WATER SYSTEM
FOR WEEKS NOW.
AND THE WATER WHEEL IS REALLY
THE LAST BIG STEP,
SO WE GOT TO GET IT DONE.
ALL RIGHT.
I HATE TO TELL YOU THIS,
BUT WE'RE GOING TO GO
THROUGH THESE BATTERIES
-LIKE IT'S GOING OUT OF STYLE.
-I KNOW IT.
THAT'S WHY THAT WHEEL
NEEDS TO BE WORKING.
DON'T MOVE IT.
OH!
[ CHUCKLES ]
PECKERHEAD.
DON'T YOU GO AGGRAVATING ME
THIS LATE IN THE DAY, NOW.
THERE'S A BIG, OL'
WATER HOLE OVER THERE
-WITH YOUR NAME ALL OVER IT.
-I KNOW IT.
WINTER TIME IS ALMOST HERE.
MOST PEOPLE SHINE TILL FALL,
BUT WE'RE GOING
TO SHINE YEAR-ROUND.
THE WHEEL IS GONNA
CREATE POWER,
AND ONCE WE'RE ABLE
TO CREATE POWER,
WE'RE ABLE TO CREATE LIGHT,
AND WE'RE ALSO GOING
TO BE ABLE TO CREATE HEAT.
ALL RIGHT, GET A HOLD
OF THAT ONE THERE.
Chuck: WE'RE PUTTING THE BOXES
ON WHERE THE WATER COMES DOWN
AND GETS THE WHEEL TO SPIN.
WE'RE TRYING TO GET IT DONE.
WE KNOW WE'VE GOT
TO GET IT DONE.
WE'RE BUSTING BUTTS.
WAIT A MINUTE.
NO! [BLEEP]
THE BUCKET.
[BLEEP]
MY STUPID ASS FORGOT TO PUT
A 5-GALLON BUCKET
UNDERNEATH THE WORM
BEFORE WE GOT STARTED.
THE FREAKING BOARDS
IS ALL SOAKING WET RIGHT HERE.
I DON'T HAVE NO IDEA
HOW LONG IT'S BEEN RUNNING.
GUESS WHERE THAT LEAVES ME?
NOT KNOWING EXACTLY HOW MUCH
HEADS I GOT TO THROW AWAY,
'CAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH
IT DONE PISSED OUT
ON THE GROUND.
I JUST HAVE TO KIND OF
MAKE A GOOD GUESS AT IT.
Narrator: THE FIRST BIT OF SHINE
PRODUCED FROM A RUN,
ALSO KNOWN AS THE HEADS,
ARE THROWN AWAY
BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE
OF POISONOUS METHANOL.
YOU CAN SCREW UP PRETTY EASY,
PRETTY FAST
BY NOT KEEPING
A CLOSE EYE ON YOUR RUN.
OHH.
-I COULD USE A TASTE.
-ALL RIGHT, WELL, GO AHEAD.
IF IT'S GOOD,
I MIGHT GET TWO TASTES.
OH, YEAH.
WE WENT IN THERE
FOR A TASTE TEST.
-[ SIGHS ]
-THAT'S STOUT, AIN'T IT?
IT WAS VERY WELL RECEIVED,
VERY ENTHUSIASTICALLY.
Chuck:
I NEED TO SET THIS OVER HERE.
[ BELCHES ]
I DID DO IT.
[ LAUGHS ]
SURE, I KNOW IT.
HERE IT GOES.
I'M GONNA GO IN HERE
AND CHECK THIS BUCKET.
-IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT READY.
-OH, YEAH.
THAT'S TWO BUCKETS,
BIG CHUCK.
BE GLAD TO HAVE THIS PART
OF THIS SON OF A BITCH DONE.
-GET ANOTHER BOX.
-HERE.
GOD, I'M MAKING A MESS.
FIVE BUCKETS DOWN,
FILLING UP THE SIXTH ONE NOW.
DREW CAREY TELL YOU,
"SPIN THE WHEEL."
Josh: WE'RE BASICALLY DONE
WITH THE WATER WHEEL.
NOW WE NEED WATER FLOWING,
SO THERE'S STILL
SOME WORK YET TO DO.
WHAT DO YOU FIGURE
WE GOT ABOUT?
ABOUT 50 GALLONS,
MAYBE 55.
WE MADE ALL THESE
BUCKETS OF LIQUOR.
THE WHEEL'S DONE.
MAN, WE WORKED OUR BUTTS OFF
TODAY, YOU KNOW?
HE WANTS 75 GALLONS
OF PEPPER SHINE.
THIS SHRIMP BOAT CAPTAIN,
ALL THE WAY DOWN AT THE GULF.
ONLY THING I CAN THINK OF
IS YOU REMEMBER
WE WENT DOWN THERE FISHING,
WE GAVE THAT CAPTAIN
A JAR OF THAT PEPPER SHINE
FOR TAKING US?
I GUESS
HE MUST HAVE TASTED IT.
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY.
Narrator: DOWN IN LOUISIANA,
A FATHER AND DAUGHTER TEAM
IS HEADING INTO THE LAST STRETCH
OF THE SEASON.
NO. WE GOT TO TAKE IT TO HIM.
GOT TO GET IT ALL --
YEAH.
WHAT YOU THINK,
ABOUT $150, $175?
LOOK HOW BIG
THAT PEAR IS.
AFTER A SEASON OF CHASING
THE HARVEST CYCLE...
YUMMY, YUMMY, YUMMY
TO MY TUMMY.
...PATTI AND DAVID WILL BE
RUNNING ONE LAST CROP,
RETURNING TO ONE OF THEIR
TOP SELLERS FROM LAST SEASON,
JALAPEÑO PEPPER SHINE.
THROW EVERYTHING IN THERE,
EVEN THE TOP PART.
Patti: WITH US FOLLOWING
THE HARVEST CYCLE THIS SEASON,
WE KNEW WE WASN'T GOING
TO BE ABLE TO MAKE BIG BATCHES.
WE DID SET A GOAL OF 600 GALLONS
OF MOONSHINE THIS SEASON,
BUT WE'RE DEFINITELY
NOT GOING TO MEET THAT.
WE'LL MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE
WITH THE PRICE
THAT WE'RE MAKING WITH THIS,
SO WE'LL BE HAPPY
WITH THE DOLLAR SIGNS,
JUST NOT WITH THE GALLON SIGNS.
I TOLD YOU I BROUGHT YOU
SOME PEPPERS.
LAST SEASON, WE MADE
THE JALAPEÑO SHINE.
I'VE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE
STILL ASKING FOR IT,
AND RIGHT NOW,
IT'S THE JALAPEÑO TIME.
SO IT FITS IN WITH WHAT
WE'RE DOING THIS SEASON
WITH THE HARVEST CYCLE.
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.
WHAT THE HECK?
IT'S TWO DIFFERENT TRACKS.
-MAN.
-THEY DONE TORE UP
YOUR DANG LANTERN
AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
GOD DANG IT.
Narrator: COMING UP...
LOYALTIES ARE TESTED
IN TENNESSEE.
AND FOR TWO SHINERS,
COLD WEATHER THREATENS
TO END THE SEASON EARLY.
-IT AIN'T READY TO RUN.
-UNH-UNH, NO.
WHOA, WHOA.
WHAT THE HECK?
THEY DONE TORE UP YOUR DANG
LANTERN AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
THINK IT MIGHT
HAVE BEEN KIDS?
-IS IT ON?
-NO.
BATTERY'S DEAD.
GOD DANG.
I DON'T KNOW,
WHAT DO YOU THINK WE NEED TO DO?
YOU THINK WE OUGHT
TO STAY HERE?
THIS IS
MAKING ME NERVOUS.
WE HAD A CLOSE CALL ALREADY
OF A GUY COMING 30,
40, 50 YARDS FROM OUR SITE
LOOKING FOR HIS DOG.
[ MAN SHOUTS IN DISTANCE ]
WHO IS THAT?
[ MAN SHOUTS INDISTINCTLY ]
YOU KNOW, THAT'S A BIG RISK
THAT WE STAY HERE AT THIS SITE,
BEING THAT SOMEBODY'S
COME ON IT.
THIS HERE IS WAY TOO CLOSE.
THIS IS AS CLOSE AS WE'VE EVER
HAD ANYBODY AT THE STILL SITE.
YOU WANT TO STAY HERE?
YOU KNOW,
THAT TOOK US A LONG TIME
TO FIND THIS NICE SPRING
THAT WE HAVE HERE,
SO THIS IS A TOUGH DECISION
TO MAKE TO STAY HERE.
BUT WE'VE GOT TO STAY HERE.
I KNOW THAT KIND OF
SOUNDS KIND OF FOOLISH.
SOMEBODY HAS ACTUALLY
BEEN ON OUR SITE,
BUT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE
ANY OTHER CHOICE AT THIS POINT.
YES, THEY ARE.
WHEW!
[ COUGHS ]
THEY'RE HOT.
[ COUGHING ]
MY LIPS ARE ON FIRE.
THINK THAT'S ENOUGH,
AIN'T IT?
A LOT OF TENSION ON THIS ONE.
JUST WONDERING IF SOMEBODY'S
GOING TO COME IN
WHILE WE ARE ACTUALLY
RUNNING THE MOONSHINE.
THE FIRE UNDER THE STILL,
THAT'S A FELONY CHARGE,
SO, TIME IN PRISON FOR THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO GET
THIS MASHED IN REAL QUICK
AND COME BACK AND RUN IT
JUST AS SOON
AS IT'S DONE WORKING
AND GET THIS ORDER OUT.
I'M WITH YOU.
♪♪
Mike:
I'D SAY YOU RIGHT.
CAN YOU, BUDDY?
Narrator:
ON THE TENNESSEE STATE LINE,
TWO SHINERS ARE FIRING UP
FOR A LATE-SEASON RUN.
WELL, I GUESS
IT'S A MARK ROGERS SPECIAL.
EARLIER THIS SEASON,
NORTH CAROLINA SHINERS
JEFF, MARK, AND LANCE
DECIDED TO EXPAND
THEIR TERRITORY INTO TENNESSEE.
WITH AN AGREEMENT
TO POOL THEIR PROFITS,
MARK HAS THRIVED
IN HIS NEW ENVIRONMENT...
-IS IT GOOD?
-OH, WOW. YEAH.
...WHILE JEFF AND LANCE
HAVE STRUGGLED BACK AT HOME.
NOW MARK IS RECONSIDERING
THE VALUE OF THEIR PARTNERSHIP.
Mike: WHAT'S THE PLANS
FOR NEXT YEAR?
I NEED TO KNOW WHERE I STAND,
YOU KNOW, FOR NEXT SEASON.
IT'S STARTING TO GET
GOOD AND HOT NOW, MARK.
YEAH.
OH, YEAH.
THEY'RE READY TO BUY
85 GALLONS WORTH
RIGHT NOW.
WE GOT 60 GALLONS
WE'RE SITTING ON.
WE'LL HAVE 85
AFTER THIS RUN RIGHT HERE.
BUT I TELL YOU,
THE LAW,
THEY'RE STILL PATROLLING
AROUND PRETTY GOOD.
Mike: MARK MADE A DEAL THAT ME
AND HIM WILL RUN THE LIQUOR,
AND HE'LL JUST STAY HERE,
AND I'LL TAKE CARE
OF THE BOOTLEGGING.
BUT 85 GALLONS OF LIQUOR,
THAT'S A BIG LOAD OF LIQUOR.
I ASKED MARK TO HELP ME OUT
IN THIS SITUATION.
I'M SURE WE CAN, YEAH.
EXACTLY.
WE CAN POUR IT OUT,
SINK IT OR SOMETHING
IF WE HAVE TO.
YEAH, WE CAN DO THAT.
THERE IT IS, BUDDY.
NOW WE'RE GOING TO
THROW THESE HEADS AWAY.
PHEW.
GOD ALMIGHTY, THAT'S HOT.
THAT'S GOING TO BE
SOME GOOD LIQUOR.
Narrator:
MOONSHINERS USE THE TERM "HOT"
TO REFER TO STRONG,
HIGH-PROOF LIQUOR.
IT'S HOT, AIN'T IT?
OH, IT'S RUNNING JUST RIGHT,
RIGHT NOW, AIN'T IT?
YEP.
Narrator:
MIKE AND MARK'S RUN PRODUCED
A TOTAL OF 25 GALLONS,
WHICH COMPLETES THE 85-GALLON
ORDER FOR THEIR CLIENT.
Mike:
THAT'S LIQUID BENJAMINS, SON.
THAT'S MONEY IN THE POCKET.
-JOSH.
-YEAH?
-YOU KNOW WHAT I JUST SEEN?
-WHAT?
-A BIG, OLD GOLDEN NUGGET.
-YEAH, RIGHT.
YOU EVER THOUGHT
ABOUT DIGGING GOLD, CHUCK?
PHEW.
IF IT'S ANYTHING LIKE THIS,
I DON'T WANT TO THINK
ABOUT IT TOO MUCH.
Narrator:
AFTER WEEKS OF WORK,
SOUTH CAROLINA SHINERS
JOSH AND CHUCK
ARE READY TO SET THEIR GIANT
WATER WHEEL IN MOTION.
I AIN'T BELIEVING
THESE ROCKS, BOY.
THEY'LL USE A TRENCH
TO DIVERT STREAM WATER
175 YARDS DOWN HILL
THROUGH A TROUGH SYSTEM ENDING
AT THE MILL'S WATER WHEEL.
WHETHER OR NOT
THE WATER FLOWS ENOUGH
TO POWER THE WHEEL
REMAINS TO BE SEEN.
WELL, NOW I KNOW WHY THEM
OLD-TIMING MOONSHINERS
HAD THE WHOLE FAMILY
IN ON THE DEAL.
YEAH, 'CAUSE IT WAS
TOO MUCH DANG WORK,
AND YOU CAN'T TRUST
NOBODY ELSE.
I KNOW IT.
Josh: I KNOW SOME FOLKS
BACK IN THE DAY,
THEIR DADDY
WAS A MOONSHINER,
AND HE USED TO MAKE THEM
SIT ON THE TRAIL
TO THE STILL
WITH A SHOTGUN.
AND IF ANYBODY
COME UP THE TRAIL,
THEIR ORDERS WERE TO SHOOT
FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER.
EITHER WAY,
IT WAS LIFE OR DEATH.
PEOPLE WERE STARVING
TO DEATH.
HELL, YOU COULDN'T FIND A POSSUM
OR A RACCOON AROUND,
'CAUSE EVERYBODY
DONE EAT THEM ALL.
-I KNOW IT.
-YOU KNOW?
ROUGH TIMES, BOY.
I THINK WE MIGHT HAVE
GOT IT, JOSH.
YOU WANT ME TO GO AHEAD
AND BREAK IT?
YEAH, WE MIGHT AS WELL.
MAYBE WE'LL GET A LITTLE IDEA
OF WHAT'S GOING ON.
Josh: THE TROUGH'S DONE.
THE WATER WHEEL IS FINISHED.
SO NOW THERE'S
ONLY ONE THING TO DO.
AND THAT'S TO GO UP THERE
AND BREAK THE DAM
AND, WELL, LET THE WATER FLOW.
ALL RIGHT, BIG CHUCK,
THAT'S IT.
-ALL RIGHT.
-FINALLY.
IT'S RUNNING, BUDDY.
ALL RIGHT.
THERE IT GOES.
LET'S GO.
LET'S GO, EVERYBODY.
-I LOVE IT.
-THAT WATER'S MOVING, MAN.
IT'S ALREADY DOWN.
IT'S ALREADY AT
THE WHEEL ALMOST.
I'M ANXIOUS TO SEE
WHAT THIS WHEEL IS GOING TO DO.
Josh: I'M ANXIOUS TO SEE WHAT
THIS WHEEL IS GOING TO DO.
♪♪
OH, MAN, THIS IS KILLER.
THAT THING IS FLYING, AIN'T IT?
IT'S SPINNING, BOY.
IS THAT COOL OR WHAT?
I BET YOU THAT OLD WHEEL AIN'T
SPIN LIKE THAT IN A LONG TIME.
CAN WE GENERATE POWER NOW?
HAVE YOU LOOKED INSIDE
TO SEE HOW FAST IT'S SPINNING?
WE GOT IT SPINNING, MAN.
THAT THING'S SPINNING LIKE HELL.
WE GOT TO GREASE IT UP GOOD,
TIGHTEN THAT PULLEY IN THERE,
AND THAT THING
WILL BE GOOD TO GO, MAN.
Josh: GOD, I CAN'T BELIEVE
WE FINALLY GOT IT DONE.
THAT'S A SWEET SIGHT.
NOW WE GOT TO GET US
A LITTLE POWER.
Josh:
GETTING THE STILL SITE DONE
HAS TURNED OUT
TO BE A WHOLE LOT OF WORK.
WINTER TIME'S ALMOST HERE,
SO WE'RE TRYING TO RUSH.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE
THIS WATER WHEEL,
BASICALLY HOOK UP
A CONVERSION SYSTEM
THAT CONVERTS IT TO A.C. POWER.
WE'RE GOING TO PUT A LITTLE
RADIATOR INSIDE THIS ROOM,
AND WITH ANY LUCK, WE'LL BE ABLE
TO MAKE MASH ALL WINTER LONG.
Digger: IT'S GOING TO BE
A COOL DAY, J.B.
DID YOU PUT
YOUR WARM PANTIES ON?
Narrator: DOWN IN TENNESSEE,
J.B., MARK, AND DIGGER
ARE IN A RACE
AGAINST MOTHER NATURE
TO FINISH THEIR BARREL CRIB
AND MASH IN THEIR RYE APPLE.
Digger: WELL, LET'S START
TO JUST THROW THAT
AND LET IT SCATTER
ALL OVER THE PLACE.
KIND OF LIKE FEEDING CATTLE,
AIN'T IT, J.B.?
YEAH.
THEY'LL USE STRAW AS INSULATION
TO KEEP THE MASH WARM
SO IT CAN CONTINUE TO FERMENT
EVEN AS TEMPERATURES DROP.
THAT'S JUST GOING TO BE
LIKE A BIG BLANKET.
THE FACT THAT WE JUST KEEP
THE COOL AIR OFF OF IT
MAKES A WORLD
OF DIFFERENCE.
WATCH OUT HERE.
OH, HE'S GOING
TO TURN IT OVER.
IF WE'D KNOWN YOU WAS GOING
TO DO THAT,
WE'D HAVE PUT SOME ROCKS ON
THIS SIDE TO BALANCE THAT OUT.
-SMART ASS.
-MR. SMART ASS TO YOU.
AIN'T NOTHING ABOUT LIQUOR EASY,
EXCEPT DRINKING IT.
-WE GOT TO PAINT THIS BOX.
-YEAH,
IT STANDS OUT LIKE
A WHORE IN CHURCH,
-DON'T IT?
-YEAH.
WE'LL BE HIRING THEM GOATS
ON THE MOUNTAIN HERE
AFTER A WHILE.
HAVE MERCY,
HOW GOOD THAT LOOKS.
YEAH, BOY.
WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING
TO START THE MASHING IN TODAY.
WE MASH OUR APPLES
IN ONE BARREL,
AND WE MASH THE RYE SIDE
IN ANOTHER BARREL.
Digger: YOU GET HER PUMP GOING.
I'LL GET A TANK HOOKED UP.
USED TO WE'D SIMPLY JUST BLEND
THE FLAVORS THEMSELVES TOGETHER,
BUT NOW WE PUT
THE RYE MASH IN ONE STILL,
AND WE PUT THE APPLE MASH
IN ANOTHER STILL.
IT SEEMS TO HAVE A BETTER FLAVOR
WHEN WE BLEND THEM
IN THE THUMP KEG.
Digger: YOU STICK THAT FIRING
DEVICE IN THERE,
AND I'LL GET
THIS POT A-GOING.
WHOA.
I SMELL FIRE.
THESE RIGHT HERE
IS GOOD AND RIPE, J.B.
WE DON'T NEED TO WORRY
ABOUT CUTTING THEM.
Digger: WE LIKE TO USE
TWO DIFFERENT APPLES.
CAROUSEL APPLES
AND GRANNY SMITHS,
THEY BRING MORE FLAVOR
TO THE PARTY
THAN ANY APPLE WE'VE FOUND.
OH, YEAH. YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD
AND DO THAT?
YEAH, BOY.
GRINDING YOUR RYE
TO A FINER POWDER,
IT WORKS MUCH BETTER BECAUSE
WE CAN KICK IT UP QUICKER.
THAT'S AWFUL FINE,
THERE, DIGGER.
YOU RECKON THERE'S ANY NEED
TO GRIND THAT AGAIN?
-I CAN'T SEE NONE.
-JIM TOM SAID
AS LONG AS IT BUSTED THE GUTS
OUT OF IT
AND POWDERED IT UP.
LAST YEAR, WE BROUGHT OLD
JIM TOM OVER HERE TO HELP US
-A LITTLE BIT.
-WHEN YOU GRIND THE RYE,
MAKE SURE A BIT OF THE GUTS
IN IT COMES OUT.
THAT'S DOING THE TRICK NOW.
Mark: THAT RYE SMELLS GOOD,
DON'T IT?
-YEAH, IT DO.
-LET'S SWEETEN IT UP A LITTLE.
THAT'S WHAT MAKES YOUR
"ALKY-HOL" RIGHT THERE, BOYS.
YEP. YOU USED TO BE
EATING THAT SUGAR
-AND PISSING OUT THAT ALCOHOL.
-THEY WILL.
-AND BURPING OUT THAT CO2.
-YEAH.
IS IT GOING TO RAIN?
-HERE WE COME.
-HERE WE COME, RAINSTORM.
WE JUST NEED TO SHAKE THAT UP
A LITTLE BIT.
SHAKE IT UP A LITTLE BIT,
AND WE'LL PUT THE LID ON THAT
SO THAT RAIN DON'T COOL IT OFF,
AND WE'LL GET OUT OF HERE.
Mark:
COOL WEATHER'S UPON US.
WE GOT TO HURRY.
WE'VE NOT MET OUR GOAL YET,
SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE
TO CATCH UP IN A HURRY
IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE
OUR 900-GALLON GOAL THIS SEASON.
YEAH, WE GOT TO GO.
IT'S RAINING.
WE'LL DO IT GOOD
TOMORROW.
THIS IS THE WAY, J.B.!
[ WHISTLES ]
HERE WE ARE.
Narrator: ON THE TENNESSEE-
NORTH CAROLINA BORDER,
MARK IS MEETING
HIS PARTNER, MIKE.
LEERY OF TRANSPORTING LIQUOR
ON THE ROADS,
THEY'RE USING FONTANA LAKE
TO BOOTLEG AN 85-GALLON ORDER.
Mike:
I GOT A FELLER LINED UP
TO SELL TO ACROSS THE LAKE
ON THE BOAT DOCK.
THAT'S IT.
THAT'S ALL OF THEM, BUDDY.
Narrator: WHEN IT CAME
TO AVOIDING THE LAW
WHILE TRANSPORTING LIQUOR,
PROHIBITION ERA BOOTLEGGERS'
SAFEST ROUTE WAS BY WATER,
AND THE KING OF THE WATER
WAS LEGENDARY RUM RUNNER
CAPTAIN BILL McCOY,
WHO SMUGGLED WHISKEY
FROM THE BAHAMAS
TO THE EASTERN U.S. SEABOARD
THROUGHOUT THE 1920s.
IT'S REPORTED THAT EACH RUN
HE MADE FROM THE PORT OF NASSAU
TO MARTHA'S VINEYARD
ON HIS SHIP,
THE ARETHUSA, WOULD NET HIM
$300,000 IN PROFIT.
EVER THE INNOVATORS,
SOME BOOTLEGGERS FOUND WAYS
TO TRANSPORT LIQUOR ACROSS WATER
WITHOUT USING BOATS.
A TORPEDO-LIKE CONTAINER
AND CABLE SYSTEM
WAS USED TO HAUL LIQUOR
FROM CANADA'S PEACH ISLAND
ACROSS THE BORDER TO DETROIT.
WHEN A U.S. CUSTOMS INSPECTOR
PATROLLING THE DETROIT RIVER
SPOTTED A SUSPICIOUS CONTAINER
BEING HAULED TO SHORE,
HE FOLLOWED IT TO A HOUSE
ON THE WATERFRONT.
THE BOOTLEGGERS GOT AWAY,
BUT THE TORPEDO
AND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS WORTH
OF ILLEGAL HOOCH WERE SEIZED.
Mike:
BETTER GET OUT OF HERE.
[ ENGINE SPUTTERING ]
HELL, MAYBE GIVE IT
A LITTLE GAS IN NEUTRAL?
[BLEEP]
[ ENGINE SPUTTERING ]
Mike: HELL, MAYBE GIVE IT
A LITTLE GAS IN NEUTRAL?
[BLEEP]
[ ENGINE STARTS ]
ONE GOOD THING ABOUT IT --
IF WE CAN'T SEE THAT GOOD,
NOBODY ELSE CAN, EITHER.
WELL, I'D HATE TO GET CAUGHT
WITH ALL THAT, THOUGH. WHEW.
[ CHUCKLES ]
THERE THEY ARE RIGHT THERE.
THAT'S THE ONE
WE'RE LOOKING FOR, AIN'T IT?
LIGHTS.
-THAT'S IT.
-THAT'S THE MONEY.
-THAT'S RIGHT.
-ALL RIGHT, GENTLEMEN.
THANK YOU, BUDDY.
-GOOD DOING BUSINESS WITH YOU.
-THANK YOU, MAN.
LET'S GET
OUT OF HERE, BUDDY.
I'M GLAD TO HAVE THIS
OVER WITH, AIN'T YOU, BUDDY?
IF YOU'RE SUCH A DAMN GOOD
STILL BUILDER,
YOU'D HAVE BUILT THIS ONE
OUT OF ALUMINUM.
WOULD THAT MAKE IT
MORE GOODER?
IT'D MAKE IT
MORE LIGHTER-GOODER.
Narrator: IN EAST TENNESSEE,
MARK AND DIGGER
ARE DUSTING OFF
THEIR INNOVATIVE TWO-POT STILL
TO MEET THE END-OF-SEASON DEMAND
FOR THEIR RYE APPLE.
Digger: RIGHT NOW,
WE'RE KIND OF UP AGAINST IT.
GETTING LATE IN THE SEASON,
COOLER NIGHTS,
WE'VE GOT TO RUSH,
OR WE'RE GOING TO BE
FACING A HORRIBLE OBSTACLE
WE CAN'T OVERCOME.
THAT'S MOTHER NATURE.
WHERE YOU WANT TO START AT,
RIGHT HERE ON THE FRONT BURNER?
YEAH.
Mark: WELL, IN ORDER TO RUN
OUR RYE APPLE MOONSHINE
WE HAVE TO DO IT
ON THE DOUBLE-POT STILLS.
WE CALL THEM THE TWINS.
-WHOA. AH, HELL.
-DAMN IT.
Mark: UNION BRICK MASONS,
WE ARE NOT.
WE AIN'T EVEN NON-UNION.
WITH THIS OUTFIT,
Digger: WE'VE GOT ONE STILL
WITH APPLE MASH IN IT,
ONE STILL THAT
HAS RYE MASH IN IT,
AND IT'S ALL BLENDED THERE
IN THE DISTILLATION,
NOT AFTER DISTILLATION LIKE
A LOT OF BLENDED WHISKEYS ARE.
Narrator: WHEN MAKING A BLENDED
SPIRIT, MOST MOONSHINERS
DISTILL EACH TYPE
OF MASH SEPARATELY.
ONCE DISTILLED,
THE TWO ALCOHOLS ARE BLENDED
TO THE DESIRE FLAVOR PROFILE.
BUT WITH MARK AND DIGGER'S
TWO-POT STILL SETUP,
THEY'LL RUN
TWO DIFFERENT MASHES,
ONE RYE AND ONE APPLE BRANDY,
SIMULTANEOUSLY
IN TWO SEPARATE POTS
THAT WILL FEED INTO THE SAME
DOUBLER AND CONDENSER.
YIELDING A BLENDED RYE APPLE
BRANDY STRAIGHT FROM THE STILL.
THE PROCESS MAKES
FOR A SMOOTHER LIQUOR
AND CUTS PRODUCTION TIME
IN HALF.
♪♪
Mark: THIS IS THE FIRST RUN
ON THIS STILL THIS SEASON.
ALL THE FITTINGS, CONNECTIONS,
THE THUMP POST,
THUMP ARMS, YOU KNOW,
ALL THAT HAS
TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR.
YEAH, WE HAD THAT
IN THERE.
YEP.
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY MAKES
ANY BETTER LIQUOR THAN WE DO.
-I'M SURE THEY DON'T.
-BUT I'M DAMNED CERTAIN
THAT THERE AIN'T
NOBODY GOT ANY
SEXIER-LOOKING STILL OUTFITS
THAN WE GOT.
WELL, THAT [BLEEP] DREAMS
IS MADE OF.
DID YOU EVEN LOOK
AT THAT MASH?
NO, NOT YET.
WE'VE GOT OUR GOAL
IN EYESHOT RIGHT NOW.
IF THE BARREL CRIB WORKS GOOD,
WE'RE GOING TO
GET THERE PRETTY QUICK.
BUT YOU KNOW, WEATHER'S
THREATENING US HERE.
YOU KNOW, WE CAN BE
OUT OF BUSINESS
A MONTH EARLIER
THAN WE NEED TO BE.
Digger: OH, YEAH, BOY.
MM.
DAMN.
WOW.
-IT AIN'T READY TO RUN.
-UNH-UNH, NO.
IN THE MOUNTAINS,
IT WAS IN THE MID-
TO HIGH-40s THIS MORNING.
THIS COLD WEATHER,
IT STOPPED FERMENTATION.
IT SLOWED IT DOWN TO A CRAWL.
AND WITH EARLY FROST COMING,
THAT'S OUR WORST ENEMY
RIGHT NOW.
WE'VE GOT TO PUSH A LITTLE BIT
MORE ALCOHOL OUT,
AND WE CAN'T DO IT WITH COOL
TEMPERATURES IN A FAST MANNER.
WELL, LET'S COVER IT
BACK UP.
IT WOULD BE MORE GOODER
IN A DAY OR TWO.
HOPEFULLY, WE GET
A COUPLE OF WARMER DAYS.
WE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE
TO MAKE THIS 900-GALLON MARK
THAT I SET FOR US.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO STEP IT UP,
OR WE'RE GOING TO BE
BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE
TO EAT STORE-BRAND BALONEY
THE REST OF THE WINTER.
Digger:
SOUP DU JOUR, GENTLEMEN.
Mark: THEY MAY NOT BE PRETTY,
BUT THEY SURE ARE UGLY,
-AIN'T THEY?
-[ LAUGHS ]
-I LIKE 'EM, DON'T YOU?
-YEAH, I LIKE 'EM.
THEY AIN'T NOTHING
BUT DAMN CONGEALED LARD.
THAT'S ALL IT IS,
LIPS [BLEEP]
BUT THIS CUISINE
THAT WE'RE PUTTING DOWN,
IT'S IN EVERY
COUNTRY BOY'S QUIVER
TO HAVE HIM SOME BANG
AND SAUSAGES.
AND AS LONG AS THE SIDES
OF THESE CANS
AREN'T SWELLING UP,
IT'S STILL GOOD.
YEAH.
WELL, YOU CAN'T TAKE SANDWICHES
AND STUFF IF THEY'VE GOT,
LIKE, MAYONNAISE.
NOT UNLESS YOU WANT TO SPEND
THE REST OF YOUR TIME
HUNKERED UP
POOPING BEHIND THE TREE.
[ LAUGHS ]
Patti: LET ME CHECK THIS
CAMERA FIRST.
AND ALSO BE LOOKING
FOR FOOTPRINTS, DADDY.
♪♪
Narrator: AFTER THE BREACH
OF THEIR STILL SITE,
PATTI AND DAVID ARE CHECKING
THEIR TRAIL CAMS
BEFORE STARTING TO RUN
THEIR JALAPEÑO MOONSHINE.
GOT YOU ON IT.
THAT'S ALL I'M SEEING.
IT'S A BIG RISK
THAT WE STAY HERE AT THIS SITE,
BEING THAT SOMEBODY'S
COME ON IT.
BUT WHAT DO WE DO?
IT'S TOO LATE IN THE SEASON
TO BE TRYING TO FIND
SOMEWHERE ELSE,
SO WE'RE GOING TO TRY
TO GET ALL THIS DONE
AND GET OUT OF HERE
AS QUICK AS WE CAN.
WE HAVE GOT TO REALLY
KEEP OUR EYE OUT ON THIS.
WHEW.
JALAPEÑO, AIN'T IT?
I HOPE SO.
WHEW. HIGH ALCOHOL
AND HIGH HOT PEPPER.
WE'VE GOT THIS BIG ORDER
OF THE CAJUN SHINE,
SO WE'VE GOT
TO HAVE TWO STILLS DOING THIS.
THIS RUN IS
REAL CONCERNING TO ME.
WE JUST HAVE TOO MANY
CLOSE CALLS.
I'M READY TO GET THIS OVER WITH
AND GET IT DONE
AND I DON'T WANT TO TAKE
A CHANCE OF HAVING A GOOD SEASON
AND END IT BAD
WITH US GOING TO JAIL.
WE READY TO START POURING IN?
[ COUGHING ]
-I KNOW.
-[ LAUGHS ]
I'M GONNA LIGHT THE FIRE.
'BOUT TO GET YOURS
PASTED UP OVER THERE, DADDY?
Narrator: NAMED FOR THE TELLTALE
SOUND IT PRODUCES,
THE THUMP KEG OR DOUBLER
FURTHER PURIFIES THE ALCOHOL
AS IT PASSES FROM THE POT
TO THE CONDENSER.
Patti:
YOURS HEATING UP?
YEAH, YOU'RE STARTING TO.
DANG, IT'S HOT ALL RIGHT HERE.
DANG SURE IS.
WHEW, SMELL THEM PEPPERS.
LET THAT RUN OFF.
PRETTY AND CLEAR, AIN'T IT.
HERE, DADDY,
POUR THESE HEADS OUT,
AND THEN I'LL PROOF IT.
160.
[ LAUGHS ]
YOU CAN TASTE
THE PEPPERS, THOUGH.
[ SPITS ]
THAT TASTES GOOD.
WHOO!
THE WHOLE POINT OF MAKING
JALAPEÑO MOONSHINE
IS YOU BE ABLE
TO TASTE THE PEPPER.
SO IT'S GOT A GOOD TASTE
OF PEPPER IN THIS.
Narrator:
PATTI AND DAVID'S FIRST RUN
OF THE SPICY PEPPER SHINE
HAS THEM WELL ON THEIR WAY
TO MEET THEIR SEASON-END ORDER.
WE GOING TO GET
SOME GOOD LIQUOR OFF OF THIS.
WHEW! THAT'S GOOD.
GUESS WE COULD USE THIS FOR
A BRACE OR BOTTOM OR SOMETHING?
JUST GOING TO SAW IT OFF
RIGHT THERE.
Josh: THIS STILL SITE,
WE'VE GOT FRESH WATER.
WE'VE GOT A KILLER
BUILDING TO BE IN.
WE'RE GOING TO GENERATE
ELECTRICITY,
AND EVERYTHING IS FINALLY
STARTING TO COME TOGETHER.
Narrator: OVER ON THE PIEDMONT,
JOSH AND BIG CHUCK
HAVE DAMNED OFF
THEIR WATER SUPPLY
SO THEY CAN
INSTALL THE ALTERNATOR,
THE LAST PIECE OF THEIR
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PROJECT.
Josh:
WHEN THAT WATER WHEEL SPINS,
IT'S GOING TO SPIN
THE ALTERNATOR.
THE ALTERNATOR IS GOING
TO GENERATE POWER.
AND THEN I'LL HAVE CONTINUOUS
A.C. AND D.C. POWER
THE WHOLE TIME.
YOU CAN SPIN IT
THE OTHER DIRECTION,
OR SPIN IT LIKE IT IS NOW.
JUST LET IT KEEP GOING A MINUTE.
HOW ABOUT THAT?
Narrator: JOSH IS INSTALLING
THE CHAIN THAT WILL DRIVE
THE ELECTRICITY-PRODUCING
ALTERNATOR.
HEY, BIG CHUCK, WILL YOU QUIT
SPINNING THAT WHEEL FOR ME,
-BUDDY?
-OKAY, I GOT IT.
THIS CHAIN FITS PERFECT.
COOL.
OH.
I'M GOING TO HAVE
TO MOVE
THE SPROCKET OVER SOME
AND I'M GOING TO HAVE TO TACK IT
TO THE SHAFT THAT IT'S ON,
'CAUSE IT'S JUST SPINNING,
AND THE SPROCKET'S NOT.
[ Whispering ]
HEY, HEY, HEY, SOMEBODY'S HERE.
SOMEBODY'S HERE.
Narrator:
NEXT TIME ON "MOONSHINERS"...
THE END IS NIGH IN KENTUCKY.
-WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.
-WHAT IS IT?
12-GAUGE SLUGS.
[ SIREN WAILING ]
OH, NO, THIS AIN'T GOOD.
Narrator:
A RUN-IN ON OLD ROCKY TOP.
AFTERNOON, LIEUTENANT.
This is a prepaid call
from Pittsylvania County Jail.
Narrator: AND A VOICE FROM
THE PAST COMES CALLING.