Welcome to Southern Illinois Wonders! Today we look at the history moonshining in southern Illinois with a visit to a local distillery.
From prohibition to backyard-brewing our region is steeped in the tradition. Karen Binder is a journalist, historian, and founder of Grand River Spirits in Carbondale.
She takes us through the history of 'Red eye' in this edition of Southern Illinois Wonders.
Karen Binder is a fifth-generation resident of Jackson County. Besides exploring southern Illinois as a native, she’s also traveled the region’s roads as an agricultural and business journalist with the Southern Illinoisan, the executive director of the Illinois Grape & Wine Resources Council, and, currently, a local – and legal – craft spirits distiller.
Southern Illinois Wonders is produced in collaboration with the Illinois Humanities council – a non-profit organization that fosters cultural vitality in communities throughout the state. More information is on line at www.prairie .org.
Theme music for Southern Illinois Wonders is provided by Robert Bowlin.
