In an interview published Oct. 13, 2026, “Moonshiners” stars Mark Ramsey and Eric “Digger” Manes discussed the origins of warnings that moonshine can cause blindness, distinguishing traditionally distilled liquor from industrial alcohol diverted to illegal markets.
Manes said that during Prohibition, the government added toxic substances to industrial alcohol to discourage drinking. Historical accounts cited in the interview describe some of that alcohol being diverted for consumption. The Smithsonian Channel reported that 66 people died in New York City on Christmas Day 1926 after consuming poisoned industrial alcohol. The city’s medical examiner attributed the deaths to toxic additives, including methanol.
Ramsey said another historical hazard came from lead solder used in some stills. He said distillers changed how they joined equipment after learning that lead could contaminate the mash.
The risk is not only historical: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that methanol poisoning can damage the optic nerve, potentially causing permanent vision loss or death. The interview does not establish how common methanol contamination is in illicit spirits, and it does not offer a basis for treating unregulated liquor as safe.
The article also notes that commercial distilling is legal when producers meet licensing and other requirements, while federal law generally restricts home production of distilled spirits. It describes conflicting federal appeals court rulings in 2026 and petitions asking the Supreme Court to review the dispute.
Ramsey and Manes, stars of the Discovery series, also spoke about the Appalachian tradition and a younger generation of distillers. Their views about the people who make moonshine and the tradition’s future are personal perspectives, rather than independent findings.
