The spread of moonshine production in Russia during social crises

The article investigates the issue of the production and consumption of unregistered alcohol, specifically moonshine. Based on quantitative and qualitative research data, the involvement of various population groups in Russia in moonshine consumption and production is examined. It is shown that after years of decline, moonshine consumption began to rise again from 2012, almost doubling in volume. The analysis revealed that moonshine consumption is more prevalent among low-income segments of the population and is widely spread in rural areas and small towns, where it is consumed more frequently and in larger quantities. As prosperity increases, moonshine consumption decreases; however, with further economic growth, moonshine consumption starts to rise again. Analysis of interviews with moonshine producers and consumers using qualitative sociology methods, along with expert survey data, helped identify the specific factors and social reasons that drive citizens toward moonshine production and consumption. These include economic factors (savings, accessibility, moonshine as a medium of exchange), safety factors (concern for the quality of the produced moonshine), and socio-cultural factors (moonshine production as a tradition and lifestyle, a means of communication, a hobby, and a form of leisure). Based on the analysis of expert interview data, the state’s ambivalent attitude towards moonshine production and consumption is revealed, recognising the need for regulatory measures in this area but lacking the necessary control tools for moonshine stills and illegal moonshine.