How To Proof Moonshine By Bubbles

Proofing moonshine is an important part of the process of making it. There are several different methods used to proof moonshine In this article I’ll discuss each method separately and you can decide which method you like the best.

Proofing Moonshine – By The Shake Test

You may have seen the shake test on TV or heard of it from your father. It’s an old school technique to test the proof of moonshine and works well if you have the experience. If your just starting out I’d suggest you try this method and then move on to testing it with a Hydrometer, see just how close you were to predicting the Proof of your Brew.

• Shake Test Instructions:
• Step 1 – Shake up the bottle of Moonshine
• Step 2 – Watch how fast bubbles dissipate at this point your checking the “bead”

• Remember: The faster the bubbles disappear the higher the content of alcohol. For example a bottle of 80 proof Moonshine when shaken will have small bubbles that will disappear after several seconds. Where as a bottle of 180 proof Moonshine will have large bubbles that will disappear instantly.  You’ll obviously have to practice the Shake test many times before you can accurately predict the Proof of Moonshine.

Proofing Moonshine – Gun Powder Test

Proofing moonshine with Gunpowder started with the British Navy, sailors figured out if they mixed gunpowder and moonshine  it would ignite only if it was of a certain proof.

Hence why at 100 proof gunpowder and alcohol mixed together will ignite. This is the basis of the proofing system the United Kingdom used to date. At 100 proof equals 57.1% ethanol by volume. Anything below 100 proof or 57.

1% abv will not allow the gunpowder to ignite.

Materials

• Gunpowder
• Lighter
• 3 Small bowls
• Moonshine, Everclear, Bottle of 40 % rum or vodka

Instructions

1. Add 1 sp of gunpowder to each bowl
2. Add 10 drops of Moonshine to one bowl, 10 drops of Everclear to another bowl and 10 drops of Rum 40% abv to another bowl
3. Stir each bowl up
4. Try to light each on fire.

Here’s a video that will show you the results if you don’t want to try it yourself

Proofing Moonshine – Hydrometer Test

Most Home distillers today use an alcohol hydrometer to proof their moonshine. Hydrometers are extremely easy and precise to use.

1. How does a Hydrometer Work ?
2. A hydrometer measures the density of moonshine to the density of water and is able to tell you the exact alcohol content in your shine.
3. How do I measure the Alcohol Content In Moonshine with a Hydrometer?
4. You’ll need the following:

• Proofing Hydrometer – If you want to save money Amazon has them for around $5  usually around $15 at your local brew shop.
• Graduated Cylinder –  If your seriously thinking of making this your hobby pick up a graduated cylinder their cheap and worth every penny.  If you don’t have one for now any long slender container will work.
• Moonshine

• Step 1 – Fill Graduated cylinder with moonshine 3/4 full
• Step 2 – Drop the Proofing Hydrometer into the Graduated Cylinder.
• Step 3 – Once the Hydrometer is floating in the Moonshine you should be able to read the proof off the scale on the side of the Hydrometer

Note: The temperature of the Moonshine will affect the reading on the hydrometer by as much as 20% depending on the temperature. To Correct for temperature use the following Calculator/ Cart.

Alcohol Hydrometer Temperature Correction Calculator

This calculator can be used in place of the correction tables used to calculate fluctuations in hydrometer readings due to temperature.Best practice is to cool down the distillate to 20°C And measure the alcohol strength to get the most accurate reading. At 20 C you don’t need the correction Chart.

To Use The Calculator Here Is An Example: Temperature of distillate ( Moonshine ) is 32 C, Reading from Alcohol Hydrometer is 160 proof. Actual proof of moonshine when corrected to 20 C is 156.4. I’ve been having some issues with the calculator not working for some people if it’s not working for you head over to http://distillery-yeast.com/distillery-tips/alcometer/

Common Questions

What is the difference between ABV and Proof?

(ABV) Alcohol by volume is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage. Alcohol proof in the United States is defined as twice the percentage of alcohol by volume. For Example If moonshine has a proof of 160, it contains 80% alcohol by volume.

1. Are There Different Types of Hydrometers?
2. Yes there are two types of Hydrometers used in Distilling. They are a Proofing Hydrometer and a Brewing Hydrometer
3. What is A Brewing Hydrometer used for ?

A brewing hydrometer is used when making a whiskey, corn or fruit mash. To measure the specific gravity before and after fermentation. By doing this it allows you to measure the amount of alcohol present in the Mash after fermentation.

What Is the Difference Between a Brewing Hydrometer and an Alcohol (Proofing) Hydrometer?

Alcohol Hydrometers are used for proofing pure spirits after they have been distilled. Brewing hydrometers are used for testing potential alcohol content in a Mash.

How to Tell the Proof of Your Moonshine in 5 Simple Steps: A Detailed Guide for Proofing Moonshine

Proofing moonshine is important when you are buying or making your own liquor. When it comes to buying moonshine, you’ll find that there is a lot of variation in quality, from the source of the ingredients, to the type of still used, and the proof of the final product.

Because of this, it is important that you know how to tell the proof of your moonshine, so you know what to expect and how to grade it accordingly. How does one tell the proof of moonshine? It is relatively easy.

You might be able to tell the proof of your homemade moonshine in just one single step. But the proof of your moonshine is in the final product. To get the best moonshine possible, you’ll need to know how to tell the proof of your moonshine.

After all, the proof controls the amount of alcohol that is produced. Even the smallest changes in the proof can have a big impact on the final product. In this article, you’ll learn how to tell the proof of moonshine in five simple steps, and you’ll be well on your way to making the best moonshine possible.

How to Tell the Proof of Moonshine

You can tell the moonshine proof by either shaking the jar or by using a hydrometer. By shaking the moonshine jar, you will check the bubbles in the moonshine to deduce the proof while a hydrometer is a gadget used to check the specific density of moonshine thus using it to calculate the proof.

1. Shake your moonshine in a glass jar.
2. Observe the bubbles: Large bubbles that disappear quickly indicate a higher proof
3. Fill a glass with water, and put it to the side of the container: This helps to remove any alcohol fumes that could be affecting the test results.
4. Place your finger over one side of the container for about 15 seconds, then remove it, and observe if there is any moisture on your finger If there is no moisture on your finger, you have a good batch of moonshine. If there is moisture present on your finger, you have an inferior batch of moonshine
5. If you need more proof to tell which batch is better, add 1 tablespoon of sugar to the low-proof batch This will give it some sweetness and make it taste better (or worse)

Alternatively, you can use a hydrometer as described below.

Method 1: Determine the Proof by Shaking Test: Shake and check bubbles

To determine the proof of your moonshine by shaking test, first, shake the bottle. If bubbles form and then quickly disappear from the surface of the liquid, that means it’s higher in alcohol content.

This is because high-proof moonshine has low sugar content and a higher alcohol concentration than low-proof moonshine. In other words, a higher proof results in less sugar. The shaking of the glass jar containing moonshine can be used to check the size of the bubbles and the time it takes for the bubbles to dissipate.

A moonshine with high alcohol content, the bubbles are larger and dissipate faster. When the bubbles pop faster and create large bubbles the proof is higher.

The reason why large bubbles are developed when the proof is higher and the bubbles pop faster is because of the surface tension.

Water has a higher surface tension as compared to alcohol. The surface tension is directly proportional to the time it takes for the bubbles to dissipate.

However, this method will require experience and practice to master. Some brewers can use this method to calculate the proof of your alcohol as perfectly as a hydrometer.

Method 2: Determine the Proof by using a HYDROMETER

If you want to know the proof of your moonshine, a hydrometer is your best bet. A hydrometer is an instrument that measures how dense a liquid is by determining its specific gravity.

The more alcohol content in the liquid, the denser it becomes. So, if you want to know what the ABV of your moonshine is, you can use a hydrometer to measure how heavy it is.

When using this method, place your moonshine in a container and fill it with water until it reaches the shoulder. Now take out the container and place it on a flat surface.

Bubbles determine the amount of alcohol in Mezcal

Bubbles determine the amount of alcohol in Mezcal

• Chemical engineering
• Fluid dynamics
• Mechanical engineering

Mezcal is a traditional Mexican spirit, obtained from the distillation of fermented agave juices.

Its preparation has been conducted for centuries in an artisanal manner. The method used to determine the correct alcohol content is of particular interest: a stream of the liquor is poured into a small vessel to induce surface bubbles.

These bubbles, known as pearls by the Mezcal artisans, remain stable for tenths of seconds only if the alcohol content is close to 50%. For higher or lower alcohol content, the bubbles burst rapidly. The long bubble lifetime is the result of surfactant-induced surface tension changes.

However, the precise mechanism and its relation to alcohol content remain unexplained. In this investigation, the extended lifetime of pearls was studied both experimentally and numerically.

It was found that changes in surface tension, density, viscosity (resulting from mixing ethanol and water), and the presence of surfactants are all relevant to extend the bubble lifetime.

The dimensionless bubble lifetime was found to reach its maximum value when the Bond number was close to unity, corresponding to 2 mm Mezcal bubbles. These findings show that the traditional empirical method does work. Beyond this, the understanding of the process provides physical insight to many other natural and industrial problems for which the stability of surface bubbles is of importance, such as bio-foams, froth floatation, and volcanic flows.

The consumption of alcoholic drinks can be traced back to the appearance of early humans. While its inception may have resulted from the need to find reliable sources of potable liquids1, these drinks have become part of the cultural identity of many societies2. Most cultures around the world are known for a ‘local’ drink.

In the case of Mexico, the most popular distilled spirit is Tequila which, belongs to a wider class of distilled agave-based products that are similar in production3 but vary regionally. It was believed that the production of agave-distilled spirits began with the arrival of Europeans by the end of the 16th century4.

However, recent findings indicate that alcohol distillation was known in Mesoamerica long before, for at least 25 centuries5. Our study focuses on Mezcal, which has progressively gained worldwide recognition and has distinctive cultural value in rural villages in Oaxaca6.

Although its production and denomination are normed7, its preparation remains mostly artisanal8.

According to popular accounts (informally documented by interviews with artisans) and a few formal reports9, the traditional method employed to determine the alcohol content in Mezcal consists of inspecting the lifetime of bubbles that are formed by splashing a jet of the liquor into a small container (Fig.

 1(a) and S1 Video in the Supplementary Information section). As a result of the continuous splashing, the liquid surface breaks and so-called pearls form. If the amount of alcohol in the liquid is correct (about 55% volume fraction of ethanol), pearls persist for up to tenths of seconds, see Fig. 1(b).

The method is surprisingly accurate.

Figure 1

(a) Traditional technique to form superficial bubbles (pearls); see also the Video S1 in the Supplementary Information section. (b) Zoom of the pearls of Mezcal in a gourd cup (jícara). Images taken by L. Diaz-Damacillo, reproduced with permission.

Interestingly, a similar technique has also been used to determine the alcoholic content in other spirits. Davidson10, for example, conducted experiments on the foam stability of Bourbon diluted with different amounts of water.

The technique is essentially the same as that presented here and shows the same phenomenon: for volumetric contents of alcohol of about 50%, the superficial bubbles are notably more durable than in other mixtures. Ahmed and Dickinson11 conducted experiments for whiskey and found similar results.

They argue that the changes in bubble lifetime are related to the changes in solubility of surfactant molecules present in this type of beverage. In contrast, Tuinier et al.12 found an extended foam-life for ethanol volume fractions close to 10%.

In none of the previous studies, the precise mechanism responsible for the extended bubble life duration has been explained.

Due to its relevance to many processes beyond the production of water-alcohol mixtures, e.g. bubbles on the surface of the ocean13,14, fish nests15, froth flotation16 and vulcanology17, the time of residence of a superficial bubble on a free surface has been extensively studied.

How long a bubble remains floating on a surface depends on the drainage of the film between the bubble and the surface, which results from the balance between two competing effects (gravitational and capillary induced drainage) and viscous forces. The film reduces its thickness in time, and when it is sufficiently thin, it spontaneously pierces and breaks.

Note that the precise mechanism that determines the film rupture thickness is not known18.

Two additional factors affect bubble lifetime during Mezcal testing: the alcohol content and the presence of surfactants. Ethanol and water are the main components in Mezcal, with volume fractions of the former ranging from 36 to 55%, according to the norm7.

The effect of alcohol on bubble lifetime is not fully understood yet as evaporation can either shorten the lifetime of films19 or extend it20. Indeed, some studies suggest that alcohol can increase bubble stability11, while others have shown it to have a destabilizing effect21.

While the volatility of ethanol may induce Marangoni flows19, the properties of water-ethanol mixtures show a non-monotonic behavior with ethanol content22, making it difficult to understand the physical mechanisms behind film drainage.

Furthermore, it has been long recognized that surfactants significantly alter the drainage process of bubble films23, thereby affecting the lifetime.

In addition, Mezcal has many other compounds (in small fractions) that can act as surfactants24, such as methanol, acetic acid, ethyl acetate, higher alcohols, esters, ketones, furanes, acetals, aldehydes, phenols, and terpenes as well as proteins, which can have a significant effect in delaying the drainage of bubble films as in the case of beer25.

Physical mechanisms that produce surface tension gradients

Three physical mechanisms may induce gradients of surface tension: surfactant transport, heterogenous evaporation, and local changes in temperature. All of these mechanisms affect the time the film takes to drain and, therefore, bubble lifetime. Let us first consider the effect of alcohol concentration.

The addition of 10% of mass of ethanol to water, for example, decreases the surface tension of the mixture more than 30% as seen in the study by Vazquez et al.26, where variations in temperature were shown to have a small effect —an increase of 30 C resulted in a surface tension reduction of less than 6%.

How To Measure the ABV of Distilled Alcohol

This blog provides information for educational purposes only. Read our complete summary for more info.

Early American distillers measured the alcohol of (or “proofed”) their spirits by shaking the glass container it was being held at and then looking at the bubbles.

Large bubbles that disappear quickly it indicated a alcohol content, while smaller bubbles that disappear slower indicate lower alcohol content. Today alcohol is proofed more easily and also with much more precision by using a few simple tools.

In this article we are going to explain how commercial spirits and fuel alcohol distillers use a proofing hydrometer and a copper proofing parrot to determine the alcohol content of their distillate.

However, before we move on, a reminder: Distilling alcohol is illegal without a federal fuel alcohol or distilled spirit plant permit as well as relevant state permits. Our distillation equipment is designed for legal uses only and the information in this article is for educational purposes only. Please read our complete legal summary for more information on the legalities of distillation.

Alcohol by volume (ABV) is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage. Alcohol proof in the United States is defined as twice the percentage of alcohol by volume. If moonshine has a proof of 120, it contains 60% alcohol by volume.

What is a Hydrometer and How does it Work?

A hydrometer is an instrument that measures the density of a liquid compared to the density of water. Doing so provides lots of information regarding potential alcohol content, actual alcohol content, etc. One very important fact to note is that there are 2 different kinds of hydrometers: proofing and brewing.

When making beer or a whiskey mash, a brewing hydrometer is used by the brewer or distiller to measure either alcohol content or the potential alcohol content.

This is done by by taking a specific gravity reading, which is essentially a measure of liquid density, before and after fermentation, then comparing the results.

When distilling, a proofing hydrometer (also called a spirit hydrometer) is used by distillers to measure final alcohol content, which also indicates density, but only involves a single measurement.

The biggest difference between proofing and brewing hydrometers is the scale. The brewing hydrometer is used during the mash process and can measure up to a mash with a potential alcohol of 20% ABV. Proofing hydrometers are used for proofing moonshine and can measure up to 200 proof or 100% ABV.

This article focuses on proofing hydrometers, which is the type of hydrometer a commercial distiller would use with a parrot to measure the proof of alcohol that has been distilled. For information on brewing hydrometers, check out our article titled, “How to Use a Hydrometer.”

To use a proofing hydrometer, a “test jar” or parrot is filled with the liquid to be measured and a hydrometer is placed into the jar/parrot.

The hydrometer is physically spun with to shake any bubbles away that may be clinging to it, and also to prevent it from sticking to the side of the jar / parrot.

The point at which the liquid meets the scale on the side of the hydrometer indicates proof.

How To Proof Distillate With A Parrot

How do you shake test moonshine?

The shake test involves placing some moonshine in a mason jar and giving it a vigorous shake. If the spirit has large bubbles that disappear quickly, it would indicate that the batch is higher proof. If the spirit has small bubbles which disappear slowly, it would indicate a lower proof.

How do you test alcohol proof?

Alcohol Proof Measurement This terminology began in the the UK however in the US, currently the term Proof is determined by multiplying the alcohol % by volume (ABV) X 2. Thus an alcohol product labeled as 80 Proof is 40% alcohol by volume. An Alcohol product that is 50% ABV would be labeled at 100 Proof.

What are moonshiners looking for when they shake the jar?

They shake the jar to check the proof of alcohol. By observing the size of the resulting bubbles and how long they take to dissipate, the Moonshiners can figure out whether there is high alcohol content or proof.

Why do moonshiners shake the bottle?

Discovery broke down the science of what, exactly, the moonshiners are looking for when shaking their jars of whiskey. “When shiners shake a jar of moonshine to check the proof, they’re observing the size of the resulting bubbles and how long they take to dissipate,” a video on the topic explains.

How can you tell if alcohol is methanol?

Take note of the scent: If it is pungent and irritating, methanol is present in the alcohol. If the scent is dominating and fruity, only ethanol is present, and the beverage is safe.

Can you measure alcohol content without OG?

It is possible to calculate ABV without knowing the original gravity of the beer. There are several reasons why the original gravity may be an unknown. There have been a few cases where in the rush of getting the wort into the fermentor I have forgotten to take an original gravity measurement.

What does bubbles in alcohol mean?

Early American distillers measured the alcohol of (or “proofed”) their spirits by shaking the glass container it was being held at and then looking at the bubbles. Large bubbles that disappear quickly it indicated a alcohol content, while smaller bubbles that disappear slower indicate lower alcohol content.

What color is methanol flame?

pale blue flame
Methanol, once known as wood alcohol, burns with a very pale blue flame, one that appears almost invisible in daylight.

How To Test Alcohol Content of Moonshine

Once you’ve brewed a batch of moonshine, you might be curious to know how much alcohol it contains. Unlike store-bought liquor, there’s no ABV label on homemade moonshine. And even small variables in the distillation process will affect the percentage of alcohol it contains.

Thankfully, there are a few different ways to measure the alcohol volume in moonshine. Whether this is your first time brewing moonshine, or if you’ve been doing it for years, you should perform a quick test to determine how much alcohol it contains.

To learn more about testing the alcohol content of moonshine, keep reading.

Shake Test

Arguably the easiest way to gauge the alcohol content of moonshine is to perform a shake test. Although it’s not an entirely accurate form of measurement, it will give you a rough idea as to how much alcohol the moonshine contains.

To perform a shake test, fill a glass jar about 1/2 the way full of your moonshine. Now, here comes the important part: you need to closely examine the bubbles of your moonshine after shaking it.

Moonshine with a high alcohol content will have large bubbles that dissipate within seconds, while moonshine with a low alcohol content will have small bubbles that last for several minutes.

The shake test is a quick and easy way to determine whether or not your moonshine is potent. Watered down moonshine will possess small bubbles that linger rather than dissipating.

Pay close attention to the bubbles of your moonshine when performing a shake test.

The shake test has been used for over a century to gauge the potency of moonshine, and even today it’s one of the most popular methods.

Alcoholometer

Of course, you’ll need a more technical method to accurately identify the alcohol content in moonshine. The shake test is great for a quick test, but it’s rudimentary at best. If you want a more accurate reading of the alcohol content in your moonshine, it’s recommended that you invest in a small device called an alcoholometer.

An alcoholometer works by measuring the density of your moonshine and comparing it to pure alcohol. You simply place the alcoholometer in a jar or batch of moonshine and turn the device on. Once it’s identified the density of your moonshine, it will display the ABV. An alcoholometer a simple yet highly effective device for identifying the alcohol content in moonshine.

How To Proof Moonshine – 5 Easy Ways (Updated Guide for 2022)

In this guide, we will show you everything you need to know about how to proof moonshine, so keep reading!

Below you can find out 5 different methods to proof moonshine,

Method 1 – Learn This Simple Trick To Test The Proof Of Moonshine

Boys we got liquor coming out hey got little hell mm-hmm smooth flow oh my when youve got charcoal it.

Gets all those fuse alone trapped right in there whoo ohits hazel neddy thats perfect right there no hair there. Need to take the proof of it im gonna say thats right on 100 proof when shiners sink a jar.

Of moonshine to check the proof theyre observing the size of the resulting bubbles and how long they take to.

Dissipate after shaking the jar large bubbles on the surface of the shine that quickly pop indicate high alcohol content. To proof when low proof alcohol is put to the shake test the bubbles are small and linger on the.

Surface for a longer period of time this is due to the fact that water has a higher surface tension. Than alcohol the amount of surface tension is in direct proportion to the amount of time it takes for a.

Bubble to pop the shake test takes a practice die to master some shiners are so proficient at the technique.

That they can match the readings of a hydrometer point for point you.

Method 2 – Proofing Moonshine, How To Use A Hydrometer

Alright im gonna make a video about proofing we have a hydrometer here we have three different kinds of grain.

Alcohol moonshine this is homemade moonshine this is homemade moonshine and this is old smokey blue flame this is some.

Stuff my cousin bought its a hundred twenty eight proof we just put it this jar so so we could. Have a little sample so were gonna call this j and then were gonna call this m so and then.

Well just call this blue flame were going to see what the alcohol proof is on the hydrometer basically we. Take the hydrometer out we fill this to we want to start with the blue flame so we could see.

If its accurate on this hydrometer you got the proof trying to zoom then you got your whatever were gonna. Use the proof here its kind of new to the whole proofing thing so so were pushing it down let.

It float up its the old smokey blue flame give it a little shape all right its about between 100.

And 120 130 so its its fairly accurate its not exact but well take that so lets see what average. Moonshine homemade moonshine is well were gonna try j.j moonshine you might have forced my back all right over big.

Old chicken nugget looking hand whats that turn it and said about 80 its 80 proof so that thats some. Good good homemade green alcohol okay lets try the m sample this is him a friend of mine made this.

Told me he made it weve done tests all these wants kind of weird too much in there check this.

One out spinning around proof look at that 185 proof thats some hardcore thats homemade i mean thats close to. 190 proof of everclear thats its a pretty hardcore moonshine right there its a big difference between j and m. And even the blue flame over the counter.

Method 3 – When To Proof Spirits – Common Mistakes & How Too

Proofing down spirits can sound super simple you take a high abv spirit you add water to its to get. It into the bottle at the abv you want pretty simple but for those of you chasing the craft there.

Can be a lot more to it than that hows it going chasers i hope youre having a kick-ass week. Im jesse welcome to still–its this is the channel all about chasing the craft of home distillation and making it.

A legitimate hobby hi guys today we are talking proofing and it is one of those things that can be. Deceptively simple or simply deceptive depending on exactly you know what youre doing for example a lot of people will.

Think proofing is you know simply the the arts or the science or the monotony of taking a high-proof spirit. And you know proofing it down to the bottle abv you want but it turns out youre gonna proof spirits.

Down a whole lot more than just that when youre in this craft so today were going to be talking.

About the the actual mechanics about what you need to know how you can go about it things that can. Go a little bit wrong but were also going to be talking about when this happens and the specifics of.

What you want to know at each of those points but before i do i need to let you guys. Know that these things these still its coins are now available that on the web site patreon dont go buying.

Them until you get your patreon codes itll make things significantly cheaper for you and if you watch through to.

The end of this video im actually going to be giving one of these away along with a little bit. Of merch as well its not mine youll see that at the end so the first time that new distillers.

May run into this problem of proofing down spirits is when they need to put spirit back into the still. And theres a couple of times this might happen right so perhaps youre doing multiple distillation so youre doing you.

Know that the the irish triple pots are still perhaps youre doing stripping runs and then adding it all back.

Together to cut volume down perhaps youre making jen and youre taking you know 95% alcohol and you wanted to. Pop it back into the still to run it again to get the botanicals to come through in a certain.

Way whatever the reason happens to be theres kind of a golden rule for distilling amongst the home distilling group. And that is that you never want to put alcohol above 40% abv or 80-proof back into the still again.

And and the idea behind that is there as the abv of the spirit goes up higher and higher the.

Flammability goes up higher and higher some will say that it is an explosion risk although theres a few points. That i could make about that im not going to go into that now and essentially the reason is there.

Is something thats easy to do theres not a lot of benefit and putting a much higher abv spirit into. The still and at the end of the day even if it is being a little bit pedantic or whatever.

Its just safety first guys yeah the second time that you may run into this problem of proofing spirits down.

---