Red

Thank you all for the insights and taking the time to comment. Much appreciated!

First, so basically hobby distilling can't legally exist. I am not trying to be a smart allic but then how did anyone who started their own commerical distillery practice/learn about the process/get recipes dialed in before they jumped in and made a big invenstment? I know there is a safety concern with high proof alchohol, but the regs really seem to provide some significant barriers to entery (even as a beginner who wants to learn more about distilling without jumping in head first). Second, OK I get that you can't have a still in my basement. So if I have an detached garage/workshop what would I need to do to get small still to practice before I have to commit to buying an expensive 50-100 gallon still? Is there a cheaper non-commerial federal permit I can get? In Missouri the state allows something like 150 gallons for personal use. Again, I am trying to figure out how to learn more and practice distilling on a smaller still and have no interest at this point commiting to getting a permit for a full scale commerical operation. Is there any way to do that or does the fed TTB see it all the same? Thanks for your help.

I asked this similar question awhile back but I am still confused. I live in Missouri and want to buy a small 10 gallon still (keep it in my basement) to practice some recipes as a hobby. Can anyone provide any help on what I legally need (and how much it would cost if I need a license) to be able to do this? I understand their is a federal TTB permit I need but not sure if there is a different permit since I will be producing for personal use and less than 100 gallons a year. What federal and Missour state TTB permits do I need and how much do those cost? and is that a one-time cost or annual? Any help you can provide would be great. -Red

Thank for the info about classes. Does any one have any reviews of the class in MN (http://www.distillingclass.com/). Have heard anything about it on here and trying to decide betweent that course and the Kothe course. Any impressions of either would be much appreicated.

Porter, Thanks for the info. So does that mean that even though in Missouri it is legal to produce spirits at your home for your own consumption it is not allowed because it is illegal at the federal level? I don't want to do something illegal, but want to home distill and practice the craft if possible. -Red

Hey guys, I have distilling TTB regulation knowledge of another state and I recently moved to Missouri and am not as familiar with their policies. I have found some conflicting info. I believe it is legal to distill for your own personal use up to 150 gals per year in Missouri without a license. Does anyone know if that is true? Thanks for any info or help in advance. -Red

Hey guys, I have distilling TTB regulation knowledge of another state and I recently moved to Missouri and am not as familiar with their policies. I have found some conflicting info. I believe it is legal to distill for your own personal use up to 150 gals per year in Missouri without a license. Does anyone know if that is true? Thanks for any info or help in advance. -Red