The parent specifically referred to distilling (making spirits) at home, which is in fact illegal in the US without a license. Laws vary in other countries, tho

The parent specifically referred to distilling (making spirits) at home, which is in fact illegal in the US without a license. Laws vary in other countries, though this seems pretty common (with the exception of NZ, apparently). http://www.ttb.gov/spirits/faq.shtml http://www.ttb.gov/spirits/faq.shtml This is different from brewing beer, cider and winemaking, which are quite differently regulated.