Russians have bought 300 percent more moonshine-making stills from a Chelyabinsk producer in the last few months as homemade liquor becomes more popular amid the economic crisis, the Izvestia newspaper reported Tuesday.
Russian moonshine, called "samogon" from the words for "self" and "distill," can be made cheaply compared with buying liquor in stores, but there are health risks including blindness if it's not done correctly.
"Demand has been on the rise last year. It's growing every day," a representative of Chelyabinsk Household Goods Factory was cited as saying. "Our company's output in recent months has increased 200-300 percent year-on-year."
Cheap samogon stills can be bought for 2,000 rubles ($30), and while more sophisticated ones can cost five times that, the prices still pale in comparison with store-bought liquor, the report said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
