Moonshine Mash
Moonshine mash is the fermented mixture of grains, sugar, and water used as the base for distilling Appalachian mountain liquor. Long associated with backwoods stills and "corn likker," this mash is a cornerstone of traditional moonshine-making, handed down from Scots-Irish settlers to generations of Appalachian families.
Pronunciation
[MASH]
Meaning & Usage
- Fermenting mixture for liquor (noun)
Elmer:
Got the mash bubblin’ out back.
Got the mash bubblin’ out back.
Estel:
Best keep it hid from the revenuer.
Best keep it hid from the revenuer.- Press or crush (verb)
Elmer:
Mash that button to start the generator.
Mash that button to start the generator.
Estel:
Ain’t it ‘press’?
Ain’t it ‘press’?- Soft, pulpy food mixture (noun)
Elmer:
Pigs’ll eat near anything, but they love corn mash.
Pigs’ll eat near anything, but they love corn mash.
Estel:
Keeps ‘em fat through winter.
Keeps ‘em fat through winter.variations: mash
★ If the mash is bubbling, it’s working - but if it smells "rurnt," you’ve lost a batch. ★
Origin and Etymology
From Middle English "mashe" meaning a soft mixture, especially of grain or malt and hot water for brewing. The distilling sense has been part of Appalachian speech since moonshining began in the 18th century.
Usage Notes
In moonshining, mash is the first step toward liquor - let it ferment too long, and it spoils. In everyday Southern and Appalachian talk, "mash" as a verb is still common for "press" or "squash."