Jennifer Schultz

Whenever any one thinks on Prohibition and moonshine/bootlegging, they usually think immediately of gangsters in Chicago or New York. During the 1920s, however, there was a rich, popular moonshine operation right here in Minnesota. Sterns County farmers needed to supplement their income, as the crops they grew during this time were not faring well on the Grain Exchange. Minnesota 13 White Whiskey was born. Minnesota 13 began as a hardy, short-season corn crop. Farmers began using the corn to distill their own liquor, along with their own store of German-style beer. Heck, even the monks at St. Johns Monastery were brewing beer! When a senator from Minnesota, John Volstad, introduced, and then passed his bill in Washington, D.C, the age of Prohibition began. The German farmers in and around the area of St. Cloud were at a loss. They thumbed their collective noses at authority, and continued to distill and sell their home-grown white whiskey in order to support their families. The locals kept everything low-key, and would not speak about anyone's operation. The good people of Sterns County keep their secrets to this day. This film is filled with personal stories, interesting facts and highlights the will to survive of the German personage in Sterns County. A wonderful film, worth watching.