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Thread ID: 133289	2013-05-30 22:52:00	PopSci: "Can Drinking Moonshine Really Make Me Go Blind?"	kingdragonfly (309)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1344261	2013-05-30 22:52:00	Since the show "Moonshiners" is on the Discovery channel, I thought this was of interest. "Can Drinking Moonshine Really Make Me Go Blind?" www.popsci.com I'm unclear how the NZ alcohol distilling laws compare to the USA, but I'd think all "wet" countries are similar in nature	kingdragonfly (309)
1344262	2013-05-31 03:14:00	When you're distilling any "spirits", you have to throw out the first 100mls ... it is not good for the system, but can't remember whether it's because it's too strong or whether it's toxic. There was a Korean trawler in port down here and the "sailors" started to drink either ethanol or methanol (there was a labour dispute and they were confined to the ship) ... some of them ended up in A&E with alcohol poisoning and I believe one did have problems with his sight ... others had their stomach lining burnt off, others had organ failure - liver & kidney mostly - but I do suspect that they had all lost a few brain cells along the way. It definitely isn't illegal in NZ ... AS LONG AS YOU DON'T SELL IT !	SP8's (9836)
1344263	2013-05-31 07:11:00	Yeah, I can confirm that distilled spirits are very hazardous. Distillation separates out the thinner, lighter, more volatile liquids, with ethanol being the target, but methanol / methyl alcohol also being there in small but dangerous proportions. It's a potent neurotoxin, and with the retina and optic nerve being vital neural structures, then yes, vision loss is on the cards, along with brain damage. I don't know the dynamics of getting rid of the first bit distilled, but it's not a case of opening the tap and dumping a few ml at the end of the distillation, it's a case of dumping the very initial distillation products. If you forget to do it you need to re-distill, which is something a lot of alcoholics and good keen (stupid) kiwi blokes may not be inclined to do. Beer (fermented brew) doesn't carry the same risks as concentrated distilates.	Paul.Cov (425)
1344264	2013-05-31 07:37:00	Methanol is wood alcohol is toxic and seriously bad for you en.wikipedia.org Whereas ethanol is the stuff that is normally in our favorite tipple. As SP8 said, the higher the refinement the less bad effects you will experience, for a given amount consumed. This is not to say you don't get off without damage from consuming more refined ethanol than you should, it just won't send the message as loud and clear as some of the cheaper, less refined spirits will. Improper distilling practice can introduce some really nasty stuff into the resulting alcohol and can, depending on degree, equal some of the effects of methanol.	PPp (9511)
1344265	2013-05-31 15:32:00	With a small hobby still, the heads are only about the first 50-100 ml or so, until the still gets up to running temperature. If someone screws that up, they really need to think about changing their alcohol supply. Stilling should always be treated seriously.	Catweazle (2535)
1344266	2013-05-31 16:46:00	I keep the first cut of heads for cleaning/burning etc. Because what we run through our still is nowhere near good enough to make a decent spirit in itself, I use it to make liqueurs. Basically an "alcoholiser" rather than taste in itself. I plan on starting to make a decent wash with which I will pay some attention to how it will taste, as well as taking the time to char and age it for at least 3 years. Probably rum, since most of our washes are molasses based, mostly because it's such an easy wash to run and normal bakers yeast performs well with molasses. Feed stock molasses + yeast. Beaut. You really must watch out for those lower density volatiles as well as the higher ones at the tails of the run. Not just because of adverse health but because it tastes bloody sh*t!!! Waste of four years work if that methanol gets into your ageing spirits!	The Error Guy (14052)
1344267	2013-05-31 20:06:00	I had a friend who made a very decent rum. It was also very, very potent, with a glass or two enough to knock me out for an afternoon. Sadly, the 'cook' is now deceased (leukemia). While on the subject of rum, everyone who knew me would thank me for work with gifts of rum, and I was getting heaps of the stuff, and piling on the weight at the same time (thanks to the coke mixer). Luckily by axing the rum and cutting trans fats the weight has been falling away effortlessly. Just a word of warning though to those accessing home made brews - without the highly taxed cost of the booze you'll have less of a financial barrier to your consumption, and your waistline and health might be the first indicators of a need to curb your fun. Sigh. Everything in moderation.	Paul.Cov (425)
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