Short Mountain Moonshine Launch
Drinking moonshine at noon is not something I typically do, but I certainly won’t pass up the opportunity if it presents itself. And about a month ago, that’s exactly what happened.
I was working a trade show when I noticed an interesting booth across the way. Actually, to be quite honest, I noticed some interesting people across the way. And by “interesting”, I mean that they just didn’t look like what you would expect to see at a trade show. Unless, of course, they were in costume. But that wasn’t the case.
Those older fellas in overalls and caps? I soon learned that they were real, honest to goodness, moonshiners. And the moonshine they were sampling in that booth? It was probably the best I’ve ever had. Reminder: I’m from a small town in Kentucky- I’ve had my share of moonshine!
As I’ve learned more about Short Mountain Distillery in the weeks since, the more fascinated I am with the brand and the family behind it. The owners, the Kaufman brothers, are great grandsons of Jesse Shwayder, the founder of Samsonite Luggage! And those fellas in overalls at the trade show? They are the real ex-shiners who, for many years, made moonshine illegally in the backwoods of Cannon County and have now been hired by Short Mountain to do it legally!
When you have a chance, take a minute to read the full story of the family and how the brand came to be, and watch the short video below that aired on Fox News a few months ago.
Another cool little tidbit: Great grandfather Shwayder always attributed his company’s success to the Golden Rule – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” He so strongly believed in this, that he started a tradition of handing out marbles engraved with the Golden Rule to all of his employees.
When you pick up Short Mountain Shine, be sure to closely inspect the collectible coin found on every bottle. The Kaufman brothers have honored their great grandfather by carrying on his tradition, inscribing the philosophy on those coins.
While I love the story behind the brand, we know that really, in the long run, it all comes down to taste. Even though I’m no expert on moonshine, I knew the moment I took a sip that it was different than any I’d had before.
Turns out, there’s a reason for that. Because it’s made up of 70% sugar and 30% corn, it is much smoother (and, in my opinion, better tasting) than traditional moonshines that typically have a higher corn content. But you don’t have to just take my word for it….
Head on over to the Short Mountain Still House in Cannon County for free tastings and tours of the farm every Tuesday- Saturday!
Short Mountain Distillery
8280 Short Mountain Rd.
Woodbury, TN 37190
Or, maybe, just maybe, you’d like to join me for Short Mountain’s official launch happening next Tuesday night at City House?!?
With bluegrass music, cocktails by City House’s mixologist extraordinaire Stephanie Melidis, and a whole hog from Peg Leg Porker, this invitation only event is sure to be one heck of a party.
Notice I said “invitation only event”. These launch parties are usually only for industry folks, but the nice guys over at Drink Music City are letting me give away two (2) pairs of tickets to my readers!
~Contest Closed~
Congrats to the Winners!
#24 Amanda
#49 NashvilleRN
To enter, all you have to do is this:
Mandatory
1. Leave a comment telling me why you need/want to go to this party and drink some ‘shine.
For up to 2 additional entries, you can do either or both of the following. Note: You must leave a separate comment for each optional entry.
2. Follow me on Twitter (@betheats) and tweet “Win an invite to the exclusive launch party of Short Mountain Shine from @betheats! http://bit.ly/S0LfYL”, then leave a comment telling me you’ve done so.
3. Like Eat.Drink.Smile. and Short Mountain Distillery on Facebook and come back and tell me you did so.
Contest ends on Saturday, July 14th at Noon CDT. Once the winners are chosen, I’ll contact them via email and post it here on the blog. If they don’t respond within 48 hours, I’ll be forced to choose others, so be sure to check your email!
Pork? Bluegrass? Moonshine? Doesn’t that have my name written all over it?
I would love to go to this party! Not only have I not had my fair share of ‘shine since moving to Nashville, I haven’t even been to City House yet!
OK. And now I’ve done the other two items.
Tweeted – my handle is @christina615
I think I should win because I grew up in Cannon County and I bet I am the only one of your readers who actually knows where Short Mountain is!
I need to go to introduce my nonsouthern husband to world of moonshine!
I appreciate that you worded this as “Leave a comment telling me why you need/want to go to this party and drink some ‘shine.” I think “need” is the most appropriate verb to use:
It’s been a heck of a month at work (ha – that slave driver Keith Miles above!) – and I think an evening of sipping moonshine, tasting pork and listening to bluegrass with a close girlfriend at (my favorite restaurant) City House is just the medicine I need!
Tweeted :) http://www.twitter.com/elizabethelmore
Liked y’all on Facebook, too. People are going to wonder why I’m all about the moonshine and it’s not even 10 a.m. yet!
Hello! “Short” Mountain has my name written all over it! My cousins and I have been chatting on Facebook about seriously having a family field trip to the distillery. I love the overalls. My grandpa wore those and it reminds me of him. I wonder if he drank moonshine?! This sounds like a fantastic event!
They reminded me of my grandad and my great uncles, and pretty much over half the old men in my hometown!! So cute ;-)
I’ve only had moonshine once before [apple pie-style, made by a co-workers brother. yum!] and I’ve been itching to get my tastebuds around some more. This’d be great!
tweeted! [@sweetbetweens]
also already liked you on Facebook, and now like Short Mountain, too!
from one mama to another, i know you know i need a night out. a night out with moonshine sounds just about right.
I need to win so I can try a good moonshine! The illegal stuff from my younger years scared me of the stuff ;-) and I know hubs would love it…would be a great early bday gift for him. Plus any time City House is an option I always wanna go!
….and I tweeted!
I like you both on Facebook!
i like you both on FB.
This year while home for Christmas I crossed a small, and somewhat strange, right of passage with my family. During two separate Christmas celebrations, both my mother and father’s father took me aside whispering they had a private gift for me. Mom’s dad gave me a mason jar with a clear liquid and dad’s dad gave me a mason jar with an apple colored liquid. Without openly saying what either of these liquids were– I am now quite the fan of moonshine. That being said, I would lovvvvvve to join the crew at City House for a ‘shine tasting.
Why did my work logo come up on this comment?! My thoughts are in no way related to The Andrews Agency!
weird, I don’t know! it must be that the email account you used has that photo attached to it in some way?
I’m from Montana. I’ve never had moonshine! I’ve heard from fellow nashvillians that the taste keeps them away from drinking your typical moonshine. Would love to try a ‘good’ version!
My hometown isn’t too far from Cannon County, so I’ve had the “real” stuff once or twice… but would love to try the legal variety! Especially after seeing how they actually raise the corn themselves and plow the fields the old-fashioned way — with mules. With all that hard work, I bet the finished product tastes great!
I know, isn’t that awesome!? Such care goes into it. No wonder it’s so tasty!
And of course I already like you and Short Mountain Distillery on Facebook. :)
i tweeted!
https://twitter.com/loveandnachos/status/223133933313855489
Why do I need to go to this party and drink some ‘shine? Who DOESN’T need to go to this party and drink some ‘shine?
Great story, it proves that in America you can still make it with hard work and living by the “Golden Rule” Best to all those boys.
I know, isn’t it wonderful? I love it.
Would love to have an excuse to enjoy some quality ‘shine AND check out City House for the first time! What can I say? I don’t get out much, but this sounds perfect!!!
My dad was born in a hollow (holler) in Gassaway (just on the other side of Short Mountain). It’d be like a coming home party.
Some of my family lived in an area called Shotgun Holler. Never gave that a second thought growing up… didn’t sound strange at all!
already like You and SMD on FB
After years of growing up in East Tennessee and drinking “less than legal” moonshine, trying some lawful made stuff would be nice. Thanks for the chance to win.
p.s. tweeted, liked, and liked.
https://twitter.com/Chris_Harbin/status/223168603116150786
Liked and liked on FB.
Tonight I’m abandoning my spirit-savvy husband this weekend for a sisters trip to Chicago via Megabus. We get back Sunday. This would be a perfect way to say thanks for always letting me have girl time!
I like EDS and SMD on FB!
I would never pass up a chance to eat at City House and I would LOVE to say I beat Keith Miles in something. hehe.
Tweeted
Tweeted it! https://twitter.com/dianascaevola/status/223172334440288256
And Facebooked :)
I need to go to try City House & SMD shine! I’ve only had the illegal stuff so this has to be better.
P.S. I’m another reader that grew up not far from Short Mtn. DeKalb Co. girl here!
I already like you on FB & just liked SMD.
Tweeted!
Umm… I need to win this. Elliott can officially take a bottle now. And I know that you know that means two things. #1 Momma can drink. #2 Momma can leave the house.
BOOM. I deserve to win.
TWEET
First, who wouldn’t want to go! Second, after writing three papers this week and running a conference I’ve been organizing for months….I’m gonna need a drink! :)
Pick me Pick me! :)
Tweeted the following Win an invite to the exclusive launch party of Short Mountain Shine from @betheats! http://bit.ly/S0LfYL from @nashvillern
You and the distillery liked on facebook :)
Fine drink, fine swine, fine people…who could ask for anything more?
I don’t have a Moonshine Guy. There. I’ve said it. Are you happy? Beth, you don’t know what it’s like being a man in Tennessee who doesn’t have a Moonshine Guy. The cookouts. The tailgates. The boils. The roasts. The dinner parties. Never being able to be the guy that comes through because of his Moonshine Guy. Help me end the embarrassment. Help me end the shame. Help me have something to contribute to the conversation when the guy with the Moonshine Guy starts running his mouth.
PS-I tweeted (@danschlacter) and liked and liked. The rest is up to you.
I would love to go to the launch party! I actually went to the distillery the first weekend it was open to the public. My husband is from Cannon County and the community was very excited about this project. Good drinks and food! What else could you want?
I like both on Facebook!