system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Why is it illegal to make moonshine, but not wine or beer?
gpt
Taxes.  All production of spirits requires you to pay the appropriate taxes.  The taxation department requires you to have a certified still & won't sign off unless you're a business.

It's also fairly rare for people to go through the time and expense of producing 'shine *without* the intent to sell it.

More practically, it's pretty hard to fuck up beer & wine.  If it's drinkable, it's probably not going to kill you.  A still can explode if not designed/operated correctly.  Moonshine has the potential to be poisonous.

...not to mention that homemade beer can actually be good while moonshine is just going to be booze.