sugarhead
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "sugarhead" (also "sugar head" or "sugar-head") refers to moonshine or mash made mostly from sugar instead of all grain. It’s a classic insider term in the mountain distilling world.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Since shine was never a big topic growin' up, I never heard 'sugarhead' - it's one of those if-you-know-you-know things. Pronunciation
[SHUG-er-hed]
Meaning & Usage
- Moonshine made from sugar-heavy mash (noun/dialect)
Mae:
Is this corn likker?
Is this corn likker?
Earl:
Nah - it’s sugarhead, cheaper but runs clean.
Nah - it’s sugarhead, cheaper but runs clean.- Any mash that uses sugar instead of (or with) grain (noun/insider term)
Mae:
What’s sugarhead?
What’s sugarhead?
Earl:
Moonshine mash where sugar does most of the fermentin’.
Moonshine mash where sugar does most of the fermentin’.other spellings: sugar head
★ "Sugarhead" marks a difference in pride and quality - old-timers favor all-grain corn likker, but sugarhead is easier and cheaper to make. The term shows up in recipes, raids, and lore all through the Appalachian hills. ★
Origin
From Appalachian moonshining slang. As sugar became cheap and widely available, many shiners supplemented or replaced grain with sugar. The mash and liquor from this process became known as "sugarhead," recorded in mountain talk and federal reports through the 20th century.
Notes
Still used among legal distillers and hobbyists to describe sugar-based mash. Rarely known outside moonshine circles, making it a true insider Southern/Appalachian term.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "sugarhead." Often contrasted with "corn likker" or "all-grain mash."