A legend here in Tennessee. A lot of people showed up to pay their respects to him at his funeral. My grandfather did a little of this back in the day. He was a coal miner and worked in a mine that only paid you in company scrips. So you could only get stuff from their company store. So to make some actual cash on the side, he would make moonshine and other liquor. My grandma helped him do it. She was tough as nails too. She wasn't very educated, but she could take you through the forest and show you what all the plants were...what they could be used for. No formal education, but an education in knowing how survive and sustain yourself from the land. R.I.P. Pop.
My family is from the state of New Mexico, and the copper mine only paid in company credit, my great grandad kept his children from starving and gave them a chance at a better life by making liqour. In this great big beutiful country of ours, a mans gotta hustle to make it! 🇺🇸
Ironically your nan would be a beacon that would have the skillset to save thousands of lives if we lost power tomorow through a solar flare or something whereas degree level people would die in droves.education is relevant to situation
Again this man gave so much to his community and even helped pay for a church to get built!!! So he sold alcohol!!! People sell a lot worse!! It’s a damn shame!!! He was a great man and he was super smart!!!! It’s a damn shame he’s gone!! I am glad he said kiss my asz and they did not get to lock up a old man!!?? Pitiful asz cops!!! I hope they are proud!!? Asz !!!!!!💯✊☮️🌊🐟👍🏻🙏🌍🌳⭐️
You notice these people were the most simple, down to earth and honest people you've ever seen. Popcorn should've gotten a medal instead of a prison sentence..
Thank God I live in the Appalachian Mountains. Liquor will always still be around. Popcorn was a legend. Heard of him long before RUclips was a thing. Rest easy ole timer.
I heard of him years ago when I use to go to West Virginia.. Beckley West Virginia me and my bro use to go down to this dog man's house he use to make shine as well.. that was like 20 years ago or so... Playin with them dogs.... R.I.P popcorn
@@Sean-ov6wo i was born and raised in Raleigh county WV i live about 5 minutes out of Beckley, corn liquor is alive and well, its a shame meth and smack are much more prevalent here.
Popcorn sutton was one of my great uncles. Unfortunately I never got to meet him but grandma told me many stories about him. Today I carry out his legacy through my racing career. I named my racing team moonshine Motorsports in remembrance of him. RIP popcorn may the legend live in all of our hearts
Is it possible to love a man you’ve never met? I admire everything about Popcorn. His attitude, his mind, his lifestyle. Heck....I don’t even drink, but would’ve loved to try his stuff. RIP
You heard popcorn say him and JB made some shine at the museum of Appalachia, I was there,he was doing a demonstration and was supposed to be pouring out the shine,some busy body called the Fed's on him and they came and shut him down, they did not arrest him,but I still have some of the liquor he made that day and I took the cardboard sign they made for him that just says popcorn Sutton on it, I still have that too, I think that was Oct of 2001, I'm 67 now so I'm older than popcorn was when he died, popcorn and JB were two of the most friendly and down to earth men I've ever met, God bless you Popcorn and JB, you have left this old man with a great memory and a great story for my grandchildren which I've told many times
I loved this old man. He reminded me of my dad. He wasn't a threat to anyone. He should have been allowed to spend the rest of his days sitting in a rocking chair and sharing his stories of his moonshine days. Thank God this video exists. I have enjoyed every moment of it. May Popcorn rest in peace.
Why don’t everyone leave popcorn alone he’s not hurting any of you yet everyone else has to throw there on 2 cents in because some of you want to be like popcorn right you very well be a dumb ass you’ll never be able to stand up to him Damit man
“Maybe somebody will appreciate someday what I’m doing” I sure as hell appreciate it and the fact that is was documented. God bless Popcorn and may he Rest In Peace
This is actually a beautiful documentary. The skill of distilling, the hard work, all of that aside... what makes this so beautiful to me is being able to hear him and understand the culture Popcorn lived in. It makes me think of my grandparents and how they talked and lived. Even them playing guitar and banjo out of tune and singing slightly off key but it all coming together to produce such a pure sound is almost heartbreaking. This makes me happy and sad in realizing that, along with his death, this is also the death of a whole culture that can't be recreated.
A master of the craft, living his life free, basically murdered by the feds when he faced a 10 year sentence (lets be honest, they hated this movie, and were out to mess him up any way they could, no mater his age), rather than die in a cell, Popcorn took his own life, on his own land. Defiant to the last. that's the game you see, this gradual grinding down of everyone, paint it all shades of grey, no colour, bland uniformity and control, over everything you do, licences upon licences for everything, your photo on a 100 computer systems every day, everywhere you go, every thing you do, guilty or not guilty, for laws that really should never have been passed, performed by sociopaths and psychopaths armed with a badge and a gun, thinking they got a licence to kill, and in amongst it is a man like this, who basically tells them all to go stuff it. The world is a lesser place without you Pop.
well said, leslie.... the same sad story is now unwinding in california with legal weed .... all the uniform drone citizens are happy to pay 45% tax and buy their weed from the cops basically..... Harborside in OAK is a joke, they scan ur id every day, have big thugs guarding the door.... and people line up like cattle..... also, smartfones r the governments portal into ur privacy..... right on popcorn, and all the other underground operators in this country
I had the honor of knowing Popcorn personally. I grew up in these mountains and have heard him tell stories more than once. You couldn't have asked for a finer man. He would do anything he could to help others. Rip my old friend. I'll see you again
My grandfather built a still to display in our small town TN courthouse, he died and we wanted it back they said no it’s a runnable still. We got it back this year we had been trying since 1995.
I like to think that when the founding fathers thought of persuit of happiness, this was exacly what they tried to defend and die for. A couple of free men, able to enjoy the fruit of their own labour. God bless them and this is why America will allways burn a fire for liberty.
As someone who has actually known someone who could make liquor, I had a ball watching this. It brought back a lot of old memories from childhood. Once he got older he couldn't make liquor anymore so he started growing weed. He did what he had to do to survive. He had no formal education. There's not a chance in hell anyone would hire him for a job. He had a speech issue and couldn't talk plain. Thank God he was never busted. He lived life on his own terms. Did what it took to survive and died a free man. Instead of having compassion for people like this, people want to call them criminals and put them in jail. It's sickening really.
Ain't a damn thing wrong with making booze or growing weed.. You should also be able to grow your own poppies for making your own medicines.. the gubment tries to control people too much.. do what you want as long as you aren't hurting other people.. Land of the Free is just a faded memory
Amen brother! I grew up in town that didn't have any traffic lights and one stop sign. It was a different world. The police and other government entities have ruined the place.
@scottsawyer6245 I know exactly what you're talking about. I saw cops ruin people's lives in the small town I grew up in over women, old family disputes, and out of just plain jealousy as well. I saw them try to make criminals out of a lot of people just minding their own business, not hurting anyone, and just doing what it took to survive.
I love the fact he went out on his own terms. People might be sad but when you are backed up against a wall a lot of people give up... popcorn fought back!
Isn't killing yourself the ultimate form of giving up?! I'm not judging the man, that isn't my place. I hear the point "going out on your own terms", I guess you can look at it that way, but I see it as quitting, if I'm being honest.
@@guybroyles48 given the choice of live your final days as a slave in a cage for something you don't see as wrong or giving a big middle finger and stand for what you believe in till your dieing breath. The man stood strong in what he believed. So imho standing for something is better then giving up what you believe and your freedom. But to each their own.
The system is out to crush free spirits, it always has been. At some point, you just have to decide to do what you want until you can't. If I were in a similar situation, I'd probably go to prison, but I don't fault him for deciding to die. It's his life! Anybody who says otherwise is overstepping and is a part of the problem. edit: literally a whole section of sentence missing. made me sound like a crazy person (not totally inaccurate)
"Anybody to have a man caught for trying to make a drink of liquor, Ain't nothing but a dirty son of a bitch, and I don't care who they are." -Popcorn Sutton I haven't heard a better quote until now.
I never have been a drinker but I am absolutely impressed by this man's artistry. His respect for tradition his ornery ass refusal not to be free his courage and wildness. I'm proud to be a descendant of these remarkable mountain folk May we all have a little Popcorn Sutton in our souls and may his legacy live on!!!
I'm from Downtown Chicago born & raised, I personally know nothing about Country life or Hillbilly Life, I watched this from beginning to end, I have the upmost respect for Popcorn RIP, real respect real no matter where you are from *Cheers to you all*
@@Him_Hefner I'm from Rockford; and the crime is increasing and people drive crazy. Sad as t used to be a nice place to live. 300,000 people? but feels like a smaller town.
When I was a little boy (I'm 78 now) I went to the top of a hill in north Alabama with my Uncle Nathan to help him for the day. I had to carry a jug of water up that hill - which turned out to be our drinking water for the day. Uncle Nathan had a still up there and we spent the day making whiskey. A memorable experience.
Popcorn is sharp! I’ve been watching these videos for a couple of months. He is an amazing worker and had the work ethic of someone like someone in 1900. R. I.P Popcorn !
Legend has it Popcorn only ever actually lit one Cigarette his whole life. The first one, all the rest were lit off the cigarette he smoked before it😂🤣😂. RIP a True American Legend
Great story wish I could believe it but when he wakes up in the morning he hast to use something other than a cigarette to light his other cigarette so we how do you some kind of flame at some point during the day probably only in the morning but that’s what legends do💯🔥⚡️⚡️🥃👏💰
Sadly I just heard about Popcorn today from the Johnny Knoxville Interview, never watched the Moonshiner show before , wish I could've met him though, he said some funny stuff in this, lots of great one liners
I saw this when it was first released. I live in Tennessee and my ancestors fought and died for this cause. Freedom. Freedom for a man to live his life in any darn way he chooses here in these hills.
Sadly Popcorn also died because of it. I know technically it was his decision but you can't put a man like that into our jails or prison system! You can hear in his voice how much the case itself just crushed him! I understand why he did what he did but it should have NEVER gotten to that point in the first place! He should have been left alone!!! For a supposedly "Free" country we surely do have an absurd number of laws! 🙄😔 (I can't remember but did it ever become known as to who reported him on that last case?)
This is probably the best documentary I have ever watched. I would pay more than $100 for a gallon of this homemade moonshine. This was great! Thank you!
He said people would pay a 100 bucks just to watch this go on. I’d have paid popcorn a thousand dollars just to be there. Absolutely ridiculous that this is illegal. This is an American tradition.
@@tannerphillips5303 if those 3 things are the only things u like, then u gotta get out more 🤣 Besides smoking ganja the others can go. Dirt bikes, go karts, muddin are just a couple things that r more fun than whores n makin shine likker. Expand ur world man
People call us hillbillies and make fun of us, that's all right, best damn people on the face of the earth. Rest in peace Popcorn, the world is less of a place with out you.
@@nicks9323 I see a lot of inner breeding on farms and that brings up a valid question: If animals do that to procreate for species survival, then as a species humans may have evolved in that manner back in history. So whether a person believes in evolution from cavemen or Creation, fact is there weren't enough numbers to ensure that wouldn't happen!! We're all family lol Seriously!
The fact he already knew he was going to take his own life after this. He eludes to it several times throughout the video. Still laughing, still doing exactly as popcorn wants. An absolute American legend!!!
@springfield03sniper you could be right I don't know for sure. But I thought it said he was to go to prison not long after this video. Obviously he never made it to prison
One of the best things I’ve watched on the ‘ol internet. And I don’t even drink. Reminds me of making black powder-takes a lot of work over several days to make decent rifle powder. And it took years to learn the secrets of the old timers, from cutting the right willow for making charcoal to building a ball mill for pulverizing the nitrate, willow charcoal, and sulfur into flour. Then a 20 ton press to make the pucks and a set of screens to separate various powder grain sizes. I mention this because moonshine and black powder are two substances which drastically changed human history. Plus he Dixon
What a wonderful way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon during The Covid 🦠 Virus. Bet a sup of that good ol’ Mountain Dew would wipe out this virus. Thank all of you who participated in the making of this film. You take me back to my West Virginia Mountain roots. My family had a successful moonshining business during the great depression. Mountain folks sure know how to survive. Rest In Peace Popcorn Sutton you sure were quite the character. Thank you for letting us into your life. 😇🌝
Mark Richardson Santiago Hello, how are you? Thank you for the nice hello. I really don’t get to speak to many people anymore because of this Covid virus and I am at high risk for catching it. Being an only child I know how to be alone. So I have many different ways of keeping myself entertained. Boy would I love to build a Still. My Italian grandfather who immigrated to America in 1915 grew red and white grapes and then processed them and put them in wooden barrels so we could have homemade dinner wine. That was the best wine I’ve ever tasted. I inherited his old wine press, a small wooden barrel with the wooden Spicket and two huge glass bottles where the fermented wine would go into once it was ready. When I was in West Virginia my cousin Clint found me some excellent moonshine. I tasted a little bit out of a Mason Canning Jarof while we hid in the chicken coop up on the mountain. Man it was so good it tasted like the finest Brandy or the finest cognac that I have had the pleasure to taste. 😎
Yeah, it tripped me out when I found out he was only 55 when this was made. I thought sure he was in his 80's. Guess that's what smoking non-stop all day every day will do to you...
I made my last batch 2 weeks ago 90% from the still, and watered it down to 42% and on oak chips ready for Christmas. so I got 8 litres in total. I appreciate popcorns videos, as I've watch quite a lot of them and made all the parts of my still and am happy to continue the tradition of moonshine production in Australia.
Where you are you may need more.. Liquor is made from the ❤ and down under may God be with you. The reset button is pressed on you folks for a test I believe and soon here but we have 2nd amendment rights GUNS... Be safe brother.
I have a jar of pops shine. My wife and I are waiting til our 50th anniversary to crack it open . I’ve treasure that jar for many , many years now . And have had tons of people offer me a lot of money for it
I stumbled upon Popcorn and his shine accidentally in Maggie Valley NC and visited him several times a year to buy his shine- for medicinal purposes of course lol Super nice man, and he took pictures with us, because of course he was a legend!
It was a crime what they did to Popcorn, he was a dying man with 1 year to live and they still gave him 18 months prison time, I’m from the UK and think that he is a USA national treasure and that’s how he should be remembered.
Imagine if we we're a self reliant,loving community, how different he would have been treated. But then again I feel like alcohol is such a destructive force, I've been addicted to most drugs and I found alcohol to be the worst by far.
@@michaelburness5183 i agree it can be really destructive, but thats only in the wrong situations. Like you are saying, maybe things would be different in a loving and understanding community, maybe people would feel more supported and wouldnt turn to substance abuse in the ways they do today.
Sometimes...evry once in a blue moon...the law has to leave a man alone. This guy was a cultural treasure and glue to the community that knew him. The bigger picture would have been served better if he had not been forced to die.
@Annamaria Alice Graham So...Republican huh? The pointless bile is usually a dead giveaway. Or...maybe you take a few supplements for breakfast [that aren't vitamins or minerals] because you have some special difficulty that you're not managing well? Perhaps a cocktail of the two? Or hey...maybe it's just th' lunar factor and most of the time you're really among the warmest & sweetest of creatures ol' gawd has ever conceived...buuut I doubt that. *derisive chuckles* Odd recipe in any case.
There's thousands of people making meth, yet the "law"and revenuers rather catch people like popcorn for making some shine because he made them miss a few tax dollars
@@FYMASMD you are a sorry piece of shit you know that all ive see you do in these comments is bash popcorn and anybody else that makes moonshine...what the fuck is your problem with them doing this. They don't hurt anybody with what they are doing
I have lives in Tennessee my whole life and this man is a legend today still. Whoever snitched on this man to have had what happened happen I hope they burn in hell
It totally sux that gov't and big business applaud and incite snitches concerning everyday folk but if someone has information about them they will invoke and charge them with The Espionage Act for publishing and aiding said info', like Julian Assange, but no News channels that published and aided this info' were admonished for reporting this......funny that!!! They aren't going to award any medals or give discounts on bills for snitching so it eludes me why people want to destroy other ordinary people instead of protecting us from the elite grubby money grabbers (effectively stealing our money and demanding unlawful public and income taxes). Save and protect the ASSANGES' and POPCORNS' of this world only doing things for "beans and baccy"
@@HazeAroundtheWorld You are the epitome of a snowflake. I've seen a lot of your comments. You're not only a snowflake, you're a dirty commie who should not be allowed to watch this movie.
I once picked up a water bottle from my grandpa while we were fishing and took a big sip....it took the breath outta me lol it was moonshine. I cried and choked. He laughed.
Damn right popcorn is deffently missed,And I KNOW that his liquor is missed but JB and his help are keeping the tradition going. However popcorn will and should never be forgotten ,and I am not just talking about close friends of his but he is the real deal ,And yea I said is I have apreachected every word he said
@Palmetto Angler Truth, went to school with a kid from the sutton family down in North GA. He is for sure remembered here. Every year we get to remember.
This was filmed and released in 2002. So interesting reading about Sutton on wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popcorn_Sutton He committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning on March 16, 2009, apparently to avoid a federal prison term due to begin a few days later. His daughter said he had told her in advance that he would commit suicide rather than go to jail, adding that he had "the strength to die the way he lived: according to his own wishes and no one else's." He had prepared a foot stone for his gravesite, and for years kept it by his front porch. He had also kept his casket ready in his living room. The epitaph on his foot stone reads "Popcorn Said Fuck You".
I read he died at 64 although his hard life made him look much older. He seemed such a determined man that I am not surprised he chose that way to die!
He could barely walk through his beloved woods, had difficulty breathing, was terribly weak, and wanted to document his life’s work. I’d say popcorn went out just like he lived his life...on his own terms. RIP on your mountain, Popcorn!
Nothing wrong with doing this. It’s a historical trade. Beautiful to watch. Seems more real and honest than 9 out of ten Americans, it’s a shame this is considered a crime. I consider this art.
@@getaloadofthisp3d036 You have no idea about the Constitution. Your comment is uninformed. If you do not understand why it lacks understanding you will probably never know.
@@getaloadofthisp3d036 Wow brilliant reply. The government HAS THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO COLLECT TAXES. Any business not paying taxes is in violation of the law and can be shut down. Take some basic Jr High civics classes and try again when you grow up. You morons always scream about the Constitution when you don't like something and are often wrong about it. If you question the "Constitutionality of it" look up Shay's Rebellion. George Washington, in one of his first act in office, sent in the military to deal with these people in violation of tax laws. While you can legally distill your own liquor you are limited in amount per year and you cannot sell it without paying taxes. That is why the one guy "went legit" on Moonshiners and got a tax ID to avoid illegal activities. So Again, take some classes, learn some shit, and call me back in five or ten years when you grow up.
This comments section is filled with people who don't know head from toe about what they are saying. This guy was as real as the came. And shame on anyone saying he took the "easy way out"
This was filmed on the dates of June 16 - June 20, 2002. I'm here 21 years later on June 17, 2023 the same day 21 years ago popcorn gave us the epic dance at 30:00
A freedom that was taken from us Americans is what killed this man. I hope our government thinks his taxes was fucking worth it. Our federal government can go to hell as far as I’m concerned. Especially when it comes to this.
If only he knew how popular he made the craft of making likker, its one of the fastest growing hobbies right now, everyone wants to create that fist drop off the worm, and it's mostly because Popcorn bringing moonshining to the main stream, he was a very big part of the reason Moonshiners the TV show was created . Popcorn is an absolute legend in the shine world. RIP POPCORN..
FYI for fellow language geeks! The University of North Carolina is publishing a 2000-page Dictionary of Southern Appalachian English next spring. It's the largest historical regional dictionary of its kind and includes a lot of terms describing moonshining.
Thanks for this! There is a short section on "Mountain Talk," Appalachian English, and Popcorn Sutton's language/dialect in the new book out in March, The Moonshiner Popcorn Sutton.
Every Kentuckian, Tennessean, Virginian, & West Virginian’s papaw, uncle, daddy, or 3rd cousin. That’s who Popcorn Sutton was, who he represented & we sure as hell love every one of ‘em.
I miss this old way of speaking. It died out in my family with my grandparents. Minus the cussing! Lol. My grandparents didn't cuss. Well, I may have heard my grandmother mutter, "Well shayat." a few times when something really got under her skin.
That's a fact right there, and as long as we breath God's air there will always be a few Popcorn Sutton's out there in them hills keeping his memory alive and making that grade A shine.
This was more potent than any alcohol I ever tasted and way more powerful than any prescription you can buy. It was truly amazing! A gaping wound that didn’t even leave a scar. I’m a believer that shine’s a healer!
It’s a damn shame that this is literally a way of life for Popcorn…a legacy that goes back generations. It’s all they know. Yet he had to take his own life to avoid federal prison. A damn shame. A true national treasure. His name and his legacy will live forever.
Moonshiners unfortunately have, after years of unfair representation is pop culture, a reputation as uneducated hicks, who make cheap alcohol in a sloppy manner. But watching this you see how much of a skilled artisan he is. The way he talks about the little details, like how a certain plant indicates the right kind of water for a good distillation. This stuff is part of our country's heritage and unfortunately is beginning to disappear. Edit: forgot to say, RIP Popcorn. You are missed dearly, but you lived your life the way you wanted to live it and you went out on your own terms.
If you think about it, the plant is probably an indicator of cleaner water. Maybe it thrives with cleaner water. The more pure the water, the better the shine?
@@labaccident2010 I think you could be right. I was also thinking that it could indicate the proper balance of minerals. I know that the mineral content of brewing/distilling water can make a huge difference in the finished product and historically was one of the biggest reasons why every country/region had its own unique style of spirit and beer.
“There ain’t a thang here that I didn’t pay for. I didn’t steal a damn piece of nothing that’s here. I paid taxes on the copper, I paid taxes on the sugar, on the jars….I didn’t steal nothin so i don’t think I broke the law anywhere”. Man saw life for how it should be. You get the man to steal all of your money.
The best whiskey is from acidic water. At the beginning of film he talks about looking for certain plants/weeds. These particular plants only grow in acidic water. Old timers didn’t have Ph sticks, but through trial, Error, plenty of testing, and time, they figured it out.
You and me both , I was planning a pilgrimage from the UK just to meet this legend, folk hero and National treasure.. I still might as I've seen a few annual festivals for him in his area. I'm just trying to find the dates these occurs so I can plan things ahead. Hoping were all out of lockdown by then Stay safe everyone,we maybe from different sides of the pond but if you like Popcorn and everything he stood for then I know we'd get along just fine 🤘🇬🇧
Popcorn was right when he said, "If you want to learn to do something you have to do it yourself I don't care what it is." I know how to make fine liquor because of him.
I live in Australia and I make my own liquor ( lickker) using Popcorns method and I have never had a bad batch yet. Thank you Popcorn for sharing your knowledge with the world, may you fly high with the angels. R.I.P
it's kinda disgusting that the ATF/US Gov't will lock a man up for distilling his own alcohol and not giving them a cut, so-called 'untaxed liquor'. what the fuck did they do to earn their keep?
A legend here in Tennessee. A lot of people showed up to pay their respects to him at his funeral. My grandfather did a little of this back in the day. He was a coal miner and worked in a mine that only paid you in company scrips. So you could only get stuff from their company store. So to make some actual cash on the side, he would make moonshine and other liquor. My grandma helped him do it. She was tough as nails too. She wasn't very educated, but she could take you through the forest and show you what all the plants were...what they could be used for. No formal education, but an education in knowing how survive and sustain yourself from the land. R.I.P. Pop.
My family is from the state of New Mexico, and the copper mine only paid in company credit, my great grandad kept his children from starving and gave them a chance at a better life by making liqour. In this great big beutiful country of ours, a mans gotta hustle to make it! 🇺🇸
What a shame!!!
Ironically your nan would be a beacon that would have the skillset to save thousands of lives if we lost power tomorow through a solar flare or something whereas degree level people would die in droves.education is relevant to situation
Hey, knowledge is knowledge, doesn’t matter if it’s book smarts, street smarts, or nature smarts.
Again this man gave so much to his community and even helped pay for a church to get built!!! So he sold alcohol!!! People sell a lot worse!! It’s a damn shame!!! He was a great man and he was super smart!!!! It’s a damn shame he’s gone!! I am glad he said kiss my asz and they did not get to lock up a old man!!?? Pitiful asz cops!!! I hope they are proud!!? Asz !!!!!!💯✊☮️🌊🐟👍🏻🙏🌍🌳⭐️
You notice these people were the most simple, down to earth and honest people you've ever seen. Popcorn should've gotten a medal instead of a prison sentence..
25:34 “I’m just doing this to show people what it’s all about
Maybe someday someone will appreciate what I’m doing”
Rip popcorn
Everybody from Tennessee has had some of Popcorn’s likker. Oh, we appreciate it. 🤪
Jj
8.5 million views , watching for the tenth time. RIP Popcorn Sutton
Thank God I live in the Appalachian Mountains. Liquor will always still be around. Popcorn was a legend. Heard of him long before RUclips was a thing. Rest easy ole timer.
I heard of him years ago when I use to go to West Virginia.. Beckley West Virginia me and my bro use to go down to this dog man's house he use to make shine as well.. that was like 20 years ago or so... Playin with them dogs.... R.I.P popcorn
LOL "STILL" be around. I see ya
@@Sean-ov6wo I'm not to far from Beckley. I love it there
@@scottrakes1622 one of my buddies live in Prince West Virginia use to go down every weekend when my brother was alive... We use to run them Dogs..😉
@@Sean-ov6wo i was born and raised in Raleigh county WV i live about 5 minutes out of Beckley, corn liquor is alive and well, its a shame meth and smack are much more prevalent here.
Popcorn sutton was one of my great uncles. Unfortunately I never got to meet him but grandma told me many stories about him. Today I carry out his legacy through my racing career. I named my racing team moonshine Motorsports in remembrance of him. RIP popcorn may the legend live in all of our hearts
Is it possible to love a man you’ve never met? I admire everything about Popcorn. His attitude, his mind, his lifestyle. Heck....I don’t even drink, but would’ve loved to try his stuff. RIP
Not at all, sadly today’s society rejects traditional ways of life.
@@racketbrass8821 Well said, absolutely society is that way.
I fell in love with him too 😞 he was the last of a dying breed for sure. Lucky if there’s some left today, but not much!
RIP Popcorn!😞✨💖🙏
❤❤❤❤❤❤
You heard popcorn say him and JB made some shine at the museum of Appalachia, I was there,he was doing a demonstration and was supposed to be pouring out the shine,some busy body called the Fed's on him and they came and shut him down, they did not arrest him,but I still have some of the liquor he made that day and I took the cardboard sign they made for him that just says popcorn Sutton on it, I still have that too, I think that was Oct of 2001, I'm 67 now so I'm older than popcorn was when he died, popcorn and JB were two of the most friendly and down to earth men I've ever met, God bless you Popcorn and JB, you have left this old man with a great memory and a great story for my grandchildren which I've told many times
Interested in selling to a young shiner? Popcorn is my inspiration to make liquor
He got all the kids drunk 😂
Wow that’s so cool. Thanks for sharing this great story.
I loved this old man. He reminded me of my dad. He wasn't a threat to anyone. He should have been allowed to spend the rest of his days sitting in a rocking chair and sharing his stories of his moonshine days. Thank God this video exists. I have enjoyed every moment of it. May Popcorn rest in peace.
This oldman was a fucking legend. Even wen the cops came for him he said fuck you, you aint taking me alive.
Why don’t everyone leave popcorn alone he’s not hurting any of you yet everyone else has to throw there on 2 cents in because some of you want to be like popcorn right you very well be a dumb ass you’ll never be able to stand up to him Damit man
“Maybe somebody will appreciate someday what I’m doing” I sure as hell appreciate it and the fact that is was documented. God bless Popcorn and may he Rest In Peace
This is actually a beautiful documentary. The skill of distilling, the hard work, all of that aside... what makes this so beautiful to me is being able to hear him and understand the culture Popcorn lived in. It makes me think of my grandparents and how they talked and lived. Even them playing guitar and banjo out of tune and singing slightly off key but it all coming together to produce such a pure sound is almost heartbreaking. This makes me happy and sad in realizing that, along with his death, this is also the death of a whole culture that can't be recreated.
Not to mention, Popcorn Moon runs in the $10k now.
A master of the craft, living his life free, basically murdered by the feds when he faced a 10 year sentence (lets be honest, they hated this movie, and were out to mess him up any way they could, no mater his age), rather than die in a cell, Popcorn took his own life, on his own land. Defiant to the last. that's the game you see, this gradual grinding down of everyone, paint it all shades of grey, no colour, bland uniformity and control, over everything you do, licences upon licences for everything, your photo on a 100 computer systems every day, everywhere you go, every thing you do, guilty or not guilty, for laws that really should never have been passed, performed by sociopaths and psychopaths armed with a badge and a gun, thinking they got a licence to kill, and in amongst it is a man like this, who basically tells them all to go stuff it. The world is a lesser place without you Pop.
Leslie Fulton 100% that’s why Americans should never give up their guns.
well said, leslie.... the same sad story is now unwinding in california with legal weed .... all the uniform drone citizens are happy to pay 45% tax and buy their weed from the cops basically..... Harborside in OAK is a joke, they scan ur id every day, have big thugs guarding the door.... and people line up like cattle..... also, smartfones r the governments portal into ur privacy..... right on popcorn, and all the other underground operators in this country
@@patwaddington guns are really stupid. Gun Laws in the USA are catastrophic
old tradition making good liquor ill legally and to think we have politicians doing far worse things.
@@randallhenderson9499 100% FAR WORSE!
These guys are pure gold, I’m only half way through and this is already in my top three documentaries ever.
Other two if you don't mind?
Hell it just jumped into my top spot. Im 1/4 way through. Pure gold. Miss this guy and dont even know him.
I had the honor of knowing Popcorn personally. I grew up in these mountains and have heard him tell stories more than once. You couldn't have asked for a finer man. He would do anything he could to help others. Rip my old friend. I'll see you again
Umm riiiigghhttt
When did he die ??
My grandfather built a still to display in our small town TN courthouse, he died and we wanted it back they said no it’s a runnable still. We got it back this year we had been trying since 1995.
Hell yea!!!
I like to think that when the founding fathers thought of persuit of happiness, this was exacly what they tried to defend and die for. A couple of free men, able to enjoy the fruit of their own labour. God bless them and this is why America will allways burn a fire for liberty.
As someone who has actually known someone who could make liquor, I had a ball watching this. It brought back a lot of old memories from childhood. Once he got older he couldn't make liquor anymore so he started growing weed. He did what he had to do to survive. He had no formal education. There's not a chance in hell anyone would hire him for a job. He had a speech issue and couldn't talk plain. Thank God he was never busted. He lived life on his own terms. Did what it took to survive and died a free man. Instead of having compassion for people like this, people want to call them criminals and put them in jail. It's sickening really.
Ain't a damn thing wrong with making booze or growing weed..
You should also be able to grow your own poppies for making your own medicines.. the gubment tries to control people too much.. do what you want as long as you aren't hurting other people..
Land of the Free is just a faded memory
Amen brother! I grew up in town that didn't have any traffic lights and one stop sign. It was a different world. The police and other government entities have ruined the place.
@scottsawyer6245 I know exactly what you're talking about. I saw cops ruin people's lives in the small town I grew up in over women, old family disputes, and out of just plain jealousy as well. I saw them try to make criminals out of a lot of people just minding their own business, not hurting anyone, and just doing what it took to survive.
Excellent! A real masterpiece of true American culture and history. A national treasure! RIP Popcorn!
This looks like such a happy way to live. Surrounded by woodlands listening to the birds and making something you love.
I love the fact he went out on his own terms. People might be sad but when you are backed up against a wall a lot of people give up... popcorn fought back!
Isn't killing yourself the ultimate form of giving up?! I'm not judging the man, that isn't my place. I hear the point "going out on your own terms", I guess you can look at it that way, but I see it as quitting, if I'm being honest.
@@guybroyles48 given the choice of live your final days as a slave in a cage for something you don't see as wrong or giving a big middle finger and stand for what you believe in till your dieing breath. The man stood strong in what he believed. So imho standing for something is better then giving up what you believe and your freedom. But to each their own.
@@miriah18ify Well said. The government wanted him bad and he didn't let them have it. Popcorn says fuck you.
The system is out to crush free spirits, it always has been. At some point, you just have to decide to do what you want until you can't. If I were in a similar situation, I'd probably go to prison, but I don't fault him for deciding to die. It's his life! Anybody who says otherwise is overstepping and is a part of the problem.
edit: literally a whole section of sentence missing. made me sound like a crazy person (not totally inaccurate)
A true Patriot, Brother, American, Distiller, Gentleman, Businessman, and friend...RIP Popcorn Sutton
"Anybody to have a man caught for trying to make a drink of liquor, Ain't nothing but a dirty son of a bitch, and I don't care who they are." -Popcorn Sutton
I haven't heard a better quote until now.
Skunk Ape me either
I never have been a drinker but I am absolutely impressed by this man's artistry. His respect for tradition his ornery ass refusal not to be free his courage and wildness. I'm proud to be a descendant of these remarkable mountain folk May we all have a little Popcorn Sutton in our souls and may his legacy live on!!!
Absolute legend.
Much love from Scotland.
A good man and hard worker.
Rest in peace.
I'm from Downtown Chicago born & raised, I personally know nothing about Country life or Hillbilly Life, I watched this from beginning to end, I have the upmost respect for Popcorn RIP, real respect real no matter where you are from *Cheers to you all*
Happy Christmas bro hope you and yours be safe and lucky.
Hell yea buddy Merry Xmas from Rockford born and raised tell you what your not too far from some hillbillies lol 😅🍻
@@cburkett4311 I went to Rockford many years ago, not only do they drive different, they talk with funny accents, I consider Rockford the boonies lol
@@Him_Hefner I'm from Rockford; and the crime is increasing and people drive crazy. Sad as t used to be a nice place to live. 300,000 people? but feels like a smaller town.
@@misterjameswest I lived in Bolingbrook, the crime increased as well, that's why I moved to downtown Chicago lol
Watching in 2021! Never gets old. R.I.P. Popcorn Sutton!!😇
Period~
Me too Joey, Classic King Popcorn. He's drinking Moonshine up in the Penthouse as we speak 🙏🇬🇧
Live and let live
Watching again today
@@murderface3r same love this movie! RIP ol’ popcorn!
I am glad the life and times of popcorn is not fading into the mist of a forgotten age.
When I was a little boy (I'm 78 now) I went to the top of a hill in north Alabama with my Uncle Nathan to help him for the day. I had to carry a jug of water up that hill - which turned out to be our drinking water for the day. Uncle Nathan had a still up there and we spent the day making whiskey. A memorable experience.
That is absolutely crazy.
Do not fret my brethren.... quality moonshine licker is still being made in these hollars! You can't stop History nor heritage! 🇺🇸
Knew ole popcorn and my whole family knew and made shine with him. He had more common since and could teach you more than anybody I’ve ever met.
Popcorn is sharp! I’ve been watching these videos for a couple of months. He is an amazing worker and had the work ethic of someone like someone in 1900. R. I.P Popcorn !
Legend has it Popcorn only ever actually lit one Cigarette his whole life. The first one, all the rest were lit off the cigarette he smoked before it😂🤣😂. RIP a True American Legend
and first thing you see in the show is him stepping out of the car and throwing away his cigarette :p
Great story wish I could believe it but when he wakes up in the morning he hast to use something other than a cigarette to light his other cigarette so we how do you some kind of flame at some point during the day probably only in the morning but that’s what legends do💯🔥⚡️⚡️🥃👏💰
Had me in the first half😂
He said in one documentary a lighter will last him a year.
@@Quiksilversurf311 that’s wild
This movie should be in the national archives. Americana at its best. Thanks for sharing. RIP'Corn.
So true... 💯💕❤️💕
2019 anyone watching this still? R.I.P Popcorn Sutton
Dude007 Mann420 , I am for the first time.
@@crickkett7510 and me
Yep, me too!
Sadly I just heard about Popcorn today from the Johnny Knoxville Interview, never watched the Moonshiner show before , wish I could've met him though, he said some funny stuff in this, lots of great one liners
me
I Still have about 1/2 Gallon of Popcorn's shine! Got as a gift from a good friend in NC......Tanks Earl!!!! God Bless Ya.
R.I.P. Popcorn!
I saw this when it was first released. I live in Tennessee and my ancestors fought and died for this cause. Freedom. Freedom for a man to live his life in any darn way he chooses here in these hills.
Sadly Popcorn also died because of it.
I know technically it was his decision but you can't put a man like that into our jails or prison system! You can hear in his voice how much the case itself just crushed him!
I understand why he did what he did but it should have NEVER gotten to that point in the first place! He should have been left alone!!!
For a supposedly "Free" country we surely do have an absurd number of laws! 🙄😔
(I can't remember but did it ever become known as to who reported him on that last case?)
I didnt watch the whole thing, im also from Tennessee, where was he from?
@@chrisbeach423 He was from Maggie Valley NC & passed away in Parrottsville Tennessee.
@@TaraConti I actually Wikipedia’d it right after posting this comment lol. Im from TN and never heard or “Parrotsville”
‘Once this mud hardens up, it’s gon be harder than a Methodist minister’s pecker.’ 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Nobody cook mash in bricks and mud since the1600's
This is probably the best documentary I have ever watched. I would pay more than $100 for a gallon of this homemade moonshine. This was great! Thank you!
He said people would pay a 100 bucks just to watch this go on. I’d have paid popcorn a thousand dollars just to be there. Absolutely ridiculous that this is illegal. This is an American tradition.
I agree. It’s fun too do as well :)
The best things are illegal.
Prostitution, pot, and likker
the only reason its illigal is because the feds cant get their cut.
@@tannerphillips5303 if those 3 things are the only things u like, then u gotta get out more 🤣 Besides smoking ganja the others can go. Dirt bikes, go karts, muddin are just a couple things that r more fun than whores n makin shine likker. Expand ur world man
Its like prostitution the oldest paying allegal profession both should be legal
People call us hillbillies and make fun of us, that's all right, best damn people on the face of the earth. Rest in peace Popcorn, the world is less of a place with out you.
Nothing cool about group of old farts that like incest
@@nicks9323 it’s funny because you wouldn’t be man enough to say it to a group of them even in their old age, cus they’ll show you what a real man is
I'd love to live like these folk instead of all the noise and bullshit and fakeness of were I'm from 🙏💯
@@torigermain7351 you and me both
@@nicks9323 I see a lot of inner breeding on farms and that brings up a valid question: If animals do that to procreate for species survival, then as a species humans may have evolved in that manner back in history. So whether a person believes in evolution from cavemen or Creation, fact is there weren't enough numbers to ensure that wouldn't happen!! We're all family lol Seriously!
He has this warm twinkle in his eye. He is sharp. Assertive. With an addictive personality...RIP.x
The fact he already knew he was going to take his own life after this. He eludes to it several times throughout the video. Still laughing, still doing exactly as popcorn wants. An absolute American legend!!!
I think this was filmed several years before he took his life.
@springfield03sniper you could be right I don't know for sure. But I thought it said he was to go to prison not long after this video. Obviously he never made it to prison
One of the best things I’ve watched on the ‘ol internet. And I don’t even drink. Reminds me of making black powder-takes a lot of work over several days to make decent rifle powder. And it took years to learn the secrets of the old timers, from cutting the right willow for making charcoal to building a ball mill for pulverizing the nitrate, willow charcoal, and sulfur into flour. Then a 20 ton press to make the pucks and a set of screens to separate various powder grain sizes. I mention this because moonshine and black powder are two substances which drastically changed human history. Plus he Dixon
I'd appreciate a video of you as well. Just like this video here is important so is your experiences friend.
What a wonderful way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon during The Covid 🦠 Virus. Bet a sup of that good ol’ Mountain Dew would wipe out this virus. Thank all of you who participated in the making of this film. You take me back to my West Virginia Mountain roots. My family had a successful moonshining business during the great depression. Mountain folks sure know how to survive. Rest In Peace Popcorn Sutton you sure were quite the character. Thank you for letting us into your life. 😇🌝
Hello
Mark Richardson Santiago Hello, how are you? Thank you for the nice hello. I really don’t get to speak to many people anymore because of this Covid virus and I am at high risk for catching it. Being an only child I know how to be alone. So I have many different ways of keeping myself entertained. Boy would I love to build a Still.
My Italian grandfather who immigrated to America in 1915 grew red and white grapes and then processed them and put them in wooden barrels so we could have homemade dinner wine. That was the best wine I’ve ever tasted. I inherited his old wine press, a small wooden barrel with the wooden Spicket and two huge glass bottles where the fermented wine would go into once it was ready.
When I was in West Virginia my cousin Clint found me some excellent moonshine. I tasted a little bit out of a Mason Canning Jarof while we hid in the chicken coop up on the mountain. Man it was so good it tasted like the finest Brandy or the finest cognac that I have had the pleasure to taste. 😎
Hard to believe Popcorn was in his fifties here. I would’ve thought he was at least 80. Rough living.
Holy fucking shit you just blew my mind. Dude was 48 in this oh my god. I thought he was at least in his 70s here.
@@onyxrainify Yes, he was only about 10-12 years older than Mark and Digger.
Well the guy did say he was getting drunk off cough syrup at the age of 6 and maybe addicted to it so maybe that had something to do with it lol
He was 63 when he died
What a true gem of a man, we need to preserve this content
I could listen to this guy talk all day.
To popcorns family that remains it's been an honor. a joy and pleasure to watch this video may he rest in peace
I could listen to Popcorn talk all day. He was 63 years young when he passed away, but he looked every it of 90 years old to me.
thats because he smoked. the more you smoke it can make you look older sometimes
Fuckin Hans Moleman here. I know 80 year olds who look younger.
Yeah, it tripped me out when I found out he was only 55 when this was made. I thought sure he was in his 80's.
Guess that's what smoking non-stop all day every day will do to you...
I came to spend time with him cause listening to him talk eases my mind
Rip sir ❤
You are dearly missed
I made my last batch 2 weeks ago 90% from the still, and watered it down to 42% and on oak chips ready for Christmas. so I got 8 litres in total. I appreciate popcorns videos, as I've watch quite a lot of them and made all the parts of my still and am happy to continue the tradition of moonshine production in Australia.
Where you are you may need more.. Liquor is made from the ❤ and down under may God be with you. The reset button is pressed on you folks for a test I believe and soon here but we have 2nd amendment rights GUNS... Be safe brother.
@@burlosurviorhills7321 what lmao
ruclips.net/video/bSpBlk7J4rk/видео.html
I have a jar of pops shine. My wife and I are waiting til our 50th anniversary to crack it open . I’ve treasure that jar for many , many years now . And have had tons of people offer me a lot of money for it
That’s amazing
WOW 😳 that's awesome!!!
This man was a national treasure. RIP Popcorn
He’s one of the few old timers I’ve heard use the word “dude.” Popcorn Sutton is definitely a legend and his humor is great!
“The finest woman who ever shit between a pair of tennis shoes.” RIP Popcorn - Your legend carries on
I stumbled upon Popcorn and his shine accidentally in Maggie Valley NC and visited him several times a year to buy his shine- for medicinal purposes of course lol
Super nice man, and he took pictures with us, because of course he was a legend!
Lucky
38:04 “The finest woman that ever shit between a pair of tennis shoes.”
LOL Popcorn was a romantic 😎
That was hysterical. I'm gonna start saying that every chance I get.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣wasn’t sure if I heard him correctly; that was comedic🤣🤣🤣
It was a crime what they did to Popcorn, he was a dying man with 1 year to live and they still gave him 18 months prison time, I’m from the UK and think that he is a USA national treasure and that’s how he should be remembered.
Imagine if we we're a self reliant,loving community, how different he would have been treated.
But then again I feel like alcohol is such a destructive force, I've been addicted to most drugs and I found alcohol to be the worst by far.
@@michaelburness5183 truth. I been on benzos and phsyco actives and by far alcohol was the worst
@@michaelburness5183 i agree it can be really destructive, but thats only in the wrong situations. Like you are saying, maybe things would be different in a loving and understanding community, maybe people would feel more supported and wouldnt turn to substance abuse in the ways they do today.
@@CHLOCHLOLP Unfortunately we don't.
But I do believe most people want the best for others and aren't malicious.
So as long as you do a crime that will give you a longer time than your life expectancy you should not be punished?
Sometimes...evry once in a blue moon...the law has to leave a man alone. This guy was a cultural treasure and glue to the community that knew him. The bigger picture would have been served better if he had not been forced to die.
Forced to die? He committed suicide as a final fuck you to the government. That's not a force
“If he had not been forced to die.”
Hmmm...getting a bit dramatic are we to try and get some comment likes?
@@Gravy_Master Oh no! Busted! *all red-faced and penitent*
@Annamaria Alice Graham You a Democrat or a Republican? Which way do you lean yuh hard ol' woman?
@Annamaria Alice Graham So...Republican huh? The pointless bile is usually a dead giveaway. Or...maybe you take a few supplements for breakfast [that aren't vitamins or minerals] because you have some special difficulty that you're not managing well? Perhaps a cocktail of the two? Or hey...maybe it's just th' lunar factor and most of the time you're really among the warmest & sweetest of creatures ol' gawd has ever conceived...buuut I doubt that. *derisive chuckles* Odd recipe in any case.
There's thousands of people making meth, yet the "law"and revenuers rather catch people like popcorn for making some shine because he made them miss a few tax dollars
yut, i tell you whut i see one uh doze polease fellers taken my shine imma introduce'em to my girl bessie he ever touch my shine
They are all crooks. F drunks and tweakers.
@@FYMASMD you are a sorry piece of shit you know that all ive see you do in these comments is bash popcorn and anybody else that makes moonshine...what the fuck is your problem with them doing this. They don't hurt anybody with what they are doing
@@FYMASMD lol what
I don't even like moonshine but you... i like you even less!
@@debtho5673 I was thinking that while watching.
I have lives in Tennessee my whole life and this man is a legend today still. Whoever snitched on this man to have had what happened happen I hope they burn in hell
It totally sux that gov't and big business applaud and incite snitches concerning everyday folk but if someone has information about them they will invoke and charge them with The Espionage Act for publishing and aiding said info', like Julian Assange, but no News channels that published and aided this info' were admonished for reporting this......funny that!!! They aren't going to award any medals or give discounts on bills for snitching so it eludes me why people want to destroy other ordinary people instead of protecting us from the elite grubby money grabbers (effectively stealing our money and demanding unlawful public and income taxes). Save and protect the ASSANGES' and POPCORNS' of this world only doing things for "beans and baccy"
Damn straight! Fuck a damn rat.
'The finest woman that ever shit between a pair of tennis shoes.'
The best and most oddly specific declaration of love I've ever heard.
Haha that's bloody good 😆
@Aaron Wolfenbarger nah he liked his 300 pounders
Disgusting
BBW women are sexy 300 pounds of perfection
@@HazeAroundtheWorld
You are the epitome of a snowflake. I've seen a lot of your comments.
You're not only a snowflake, you're a dirty commie who should not be allowed to watch this movie.
I once picked up a water bottle from my grandpa while we were fishing and took a big sip....it took the breath outta me lol it was moonshine. I cried and choked. He laughed.
At least it wasn't dip spit in a beer can, that's an experience i don't care to repeat.
That’s a man I could sit around all day and listen to his stories about how he use to do stuff
Well popcorn you dont know what a fire you started old boy watching from the uk in 22 its not dead and we appreciate the work you did
The simple rural American life. This guy just has sense and good character. Just going about your business and living.
Amen!
Damn right popcorn is deffently missed,And I KNOW that his liquor is missed but JB and his help are keeping the tradition going. However popcorn will and should never be forgotten ,and I am not just talking about close friends of his but he is the real deal ,And yea I said is I have apreachected every word he said
@Palmetto Angler Truth, went to school with a kid from the sutton family down in North GA. He is for sure remembered here. Every year we get to remember.
I'm friends with his daughter who lives in Northampton ma
@@stevelucia223 that's awesome I bet she has some stories to tell
This was filmed and released in 2002. So interesting reading about Sutton on wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popcorn_Sutton
He committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning on March 16, 2009, apparently to avoid a federal prison term due to begin a few days later. His daughter said he had told her in advance that he would commit suicide rather than go to jail, adding that he had "the strength to die the way he lived: according to his own wishes and no one else's." He had prepared a foot stone for his gravesite, and for years kept it by his front porch. He had also kept his casket ready in his living room. The epitaph on his foot stone reads "Popcorn Said Fuck You".
I read he died at 64 although his hard life made him look much older. He seemed such a determined man that I am not surprised he chose that way to die!
I think he was diagnosed with cancer before he had to go to jail so i guess he didn't wanna die in prison
Well that is just Awesome! Good for you i
He could barely walk through his beloved woods, had difficulty breathing, was terribly weak, and wanted to document his life’s work. I’d say popcorn went out just like he lived his life...on his own terms. RIP on your mountain, Popcorn!
Thank God it wasn't corn pop and snowflake.
Nothing wrong with doing this. It’s a historical trade. Beautiful to watch. Seems more real and honest than 9 out of ten Americans, it’s a shame this is considered a crime. I consider this art.
And historically it has always been a crime in the US.
@@tstuff and those laws should have been abolished along with prohibition. It's unconstitutional at BEST
@@getaloadofthisp3d036 You have no idea about the Constitution. Your comment is uninformed. If you do not understand why it lacks understanding you will probably never know.
@@tstuff lmao. Your comment is baseless and lacks anything even resembling a rational thought. But feel free to try again!
@@getaloadofthisp3d036 Wow brilliant reply. The government HAS THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO COLLECT TAXES. Any business not paying taxes is in violation of the law and can be shut down. Take some basic Jr High civics classes and try again when you grow up. You morons always scream about the Constitution when you don't like something and are often wrong about it. If you question the "Constitutionality of it" look up Shay's Rebellion. George Washington, in one of his first act in office, sent in the military to deal with these people in violation of tax laws. While you can legally distill your own liquor you are limited in amount per year and you cannot sell it without paying taxes. That is why the one guy "went legit" on Moonshiners and got a tax ID to avoid illegal activities.
So Again, take some classes, learn some shit, and call me back in five or ten years when you grow up.
This comments section is filled with people who don't know head from toe about what they are saying. This guy was as real as the came. And shame on anyone saying he took the "easy way out"
Popcorn was no Dummy , Very intelligent person. too bad folks these days get caught up in shallow judgement this is one cool dude.
"Maybe somebody will appreciate someday, what Im doin"
You're damn skippy we appreciate it Popcorn. Thankya kindly.
This was filmed on the dates of June 16 - June 20, 2002. I'm here 21 years later on June 17, 2023 the same day 21 years ago popcorn gave us the epic dance at 30:00
I have watched this at least 8,000 times. Rip popcorn and thank you to all who made this. It’s my fav video of all time ❤
A freedom that was taken from us Americans is what killed this man. I hope our government thinks his taxes was fucking worth it. Our federal government can go to hell as far as I’m concerned. Especially when it comes to this.
If only he knew how popular he made the craft of making likker, its one of the fastest growing hobbies right now, everyone wants to create that fist drop off the worm, and it's mostly because Popcorn bringing moonshining to the main stream, he was a very big part of the reason Moonshiners the TV show was created . Popcorn is an absolute legend in the shine world. RIP POPCORN..
FYI for fellow language geeks!
The University of North Carolina is publishing a 2000-page Dictionary of Southern Appalachian English next spring. It's the largest historical regional dictionary of its kind and includes a lot of terms describing moonshining.
Thanks for this! There is a short section on "Mountain Talk," Appalachian English, and Popcorn Sutton's language/dialect in the new book out in March, The Moonshiner Popcorn Sutton.
That's awesome! Where can one order that?
@@arcwiz suckerpunchpictures.com
Every Kentuckian, Tennessean, Virginian, & West Virginian’s papaw, uncle, daddy, or 3rd cousin. That’s who Popcorn Sutton was, who he represented & we sure as hell love every one of ‘em.
I miss this old way of speaking. It died out in my family with my grandparents. Minus the cussing! Lol. My grandparents didn't cuss. Well, I may have heard my grandmother mutter, "Well shayat." a few times when something really got under her skin.
That's a fact right there, and as long as we breath God's air there will always be a few Popcorn Sutton's out there in them hills keeping his memory alive and making that grade A shine.
This was more potent than any alcohol I ever tasted and way more powerful than any prescription you can buy. It was truly amazing! A gaping wound that didn’t even leave a scar. I’m a believer that shine’s a healer!
It’s a damn shame that this is literally a way of life for Popcorn…a legacy that goes back generations. It’s all they know. Yet he had to take his own life to avoid federal prison. A damn shame. A true national treasure. His name and his legacy will live forever.
This should be preserved as an American historical site
Moonshiners unfortunately have, after years of unfair representation is pop culture, a reputation as uneducated hicks, who make cheap alcohol in a sloppy manner. But watching this you see how much of a skilled artisan he is. The way he talks about the little details, like how a certain plant indicates the right kind of water for a good distillation. This stuff is part of our country's heritage and unfortunately is beginning to disappear.
Edit: forgot to say, RIP Popcorn. You are missed dearly, but you lived your life the way you wanted to live it and you went out on your own terms.
If you think about it, the plant is probably an indicator of cleaner water. Maybe it thrives with cleaner water. The more pure the water, the better the shine?
@@labaccident2010 I think you could be right. I was also thinking that it could indicate the proper balance of minerals. I know that the mineral content of brewing/distilling water can make a huge difference in the finished product and historically was one of the biggest reasons why every country/region had its own unique style of spirit and beer.
Popcorn is a national treasure you are one of a kind you will be missed
The fact popcorn gave his kitties that much importance in his life makes me love him even more
"The finest woman to ever shit between a pair of tennis shoes."
That's the best line I've heard in a very long time.
Watch the interviews. Its an hour or so long. He talks about how he was turned in by some snitch and he called him a 24 carrot son of a bitch
“Maybe someday somebody will appreciate what I’m doing here” a whole 10 million people brother. You did just fine. Rest in peace mr popcorn 🤝🏾
Video 101 very impressive 👍🏻 life was hard they did what they did to survive. Rest in peace old timer good night 💜💜💜
He committed suicide there's no resting in peace
“There ain’t a thang here that I didn’t pay for. I didn’t steal a damn piece of nothing that’s here. I paid taxes on the copper, I paid taxes on the sugar, on the jars….I didn’t steal nothin so i don’t think I broke the law anywhere”.
Man saw life for how it should be. You get the man to steal all of your money.
The best whiskey is from acidic water. At the beginning of film he talks about looking for certain plants/weeds. These particular plants only grow in acidic water. Old timers didn’t have Ph sticks, but through trial, Error, plenty of testing, and time, they figured it out.
"maybe somebody will appreciate one day what im doing" you are a legend, Rip
I love this man. I keep coming back again and again to spend time with him and each time I learn a little more. He sure could dance couldn't he?
God I wish I could have met this great American
You and me both ,
I was planning a pilgrimage from the UK just to meet this legend, folk hero and National treasure.. I still might as I've seen a few annual festivals for him in his area. I'm just trying to find the dates these occurs so I can plan things ahead.
Hoping were all out of lockdown by then
Stay safe everyone,we maybe from different sides of the pond but if you like Popcorn and everything he stood for then I know we'd get along just fine 🤘🇬🇧
" Number one is my ol' lady: The finest woman that ever shit between a pair of tennis shoes" LMFAO RIP Popcorn.
What an awesome tribute to a legendary American!
Popcorn is a legend every American should know who he is.
Popcorn was right when he said, "If you want to learn to do something you have to do it yourself I don't care what it is." I know how to make fine liquor because of him.
Me to my friend.. And a shiner don't go order a still and prepacked mash kits and such either
I like the way popcorn talks to you straight from the hip. It would've been nice to have met him in person.
The only type of criminal activity I support is making an “honest” living and not letting the government steal 40% of it from you
Amen to that!
I live in Australia and I make my own liquor ( lickker) using Popcorns method and I have never had a bad batch yet. Thank you Popcorn for sharing your knowledge with the world, may you fly high with the angels. R.I.P
And way cheaper as well too.
@@steviebboy69 Indeed it is way cheaper..
Why couldn’t the police leave him alone he was a local hero and legend
it's kinda disgusting that the ATF/US Gov't will lock a man up for distilling his own alcohol and not giving them a cut, so-called 'untaxed liquor'. what the fuck did they do to earn their keep?
Read up on the Whiskey Rebellion. All of those concerns go back to the very early days of the US.
@@ParkerUAS love to know that the first american heroes were from my state
Give that cut to folks who dont work or to programs we don't really need