Distilling in America requires paperwork and some taxes, and special construction, even just for personal use. It is pretty much a royal pain in the ass to do

Distilling in America requires paperwork and some taxes, and special construction, even just for personal use. It is pretty much a royal pain in the ass to do legally (http://www.ttb.gov/spirits/faq.shtml#s7 http://www.ttb.gov/spirits/faq.shtml#s7), though of course some people do make illegal moonshine. Homebrewing beer legally is trivial though, and a fairly popular hobby. Homebrewing beer legally for personal use was trickier until 1979 iirc, so there isn't a long tradition of it yet, but it is becoming increasingly popular as time goes on.