It is legal to own a still in Oregon and to manufacture essential oils and distill water. It is illegal to manufacture moonshine or to be in possession of materials to ferment or use in the production of spirits regardless of if it is for personal use or sale without a commercial license.
Oregon does allow residents to manufacture beer and wine for personal use.
471.037 Homemade beer, wine and fermented fruit juice exemption from liquor laws
The making of homemade beer, wine or fermented fruit juice, if the total of beer, wine and fermented fruit juice produced during a calendar year does not exceed:
- (A) One hundred gallons in a household having one person who is 21 years of age or older; or
- (B) Two hundred gallons in a household having two or more persons who are 21 years of age or older
471.440 Manufacture, fermentation or possession of mash, wort or wash
Except as provided in ORS 471.037 (Homemade beer, wine and fermented fruit juice exemption from liquor laws) and 471.403 (License required to produce alcoholic liquor), mash, wort or wash fit for distillation or for the manufacture of spirituous alcoholic liquors may not be made, fermented or possessed within this state by any person that does not at the time own a distillery license under the Liquor Control Act.
I was unable to find any information on fuel alcohol for the state of Oregon.
Oregon does offer a distillery license at the cost of $100 per year.
You can view all licenses here
There are several licenses you need to request to legally manufacture spirits. Below are the federal licenses only. Additional state requirements will need to be followed as well.
You must submit a request for a license to manufacture spirits: TTB 5110.41 Basic permit.
This license only allows you to produce spirits. You also need a license for the distilling equipment / distillery: TTB 5100.24 Distilled spirit plant
For manufacturing ethanol fuel you will need to submit a request for a TTB 5110.74 for a federal license.
(1) Except as provided in ORS 471.037 and 471.403, mash, wort or wash fit for distillation or for the manufacture of spirituous alcoholic liquors may not be made, fermented or possessed within this state by any person that does not at the time own a distillery license under the Liquor Control Act.
471.440 Manufacture, fermentation or possession of mash, wort or wash
Except as provided in ORS 471.037 (Homemade beer, wine and fermented fruit juice exemption from liquor laws) and 471.403 (License required to produce alcoholic liquor), mash, wort or wash fit for distillation or for the manufacture of spirituous alcoholic liquors may not be made, fermented or possessed within this state by any person that does not at the time own a distillery license under the Liquor Control Act.
Current federal laws allow citizens the right to own a still and operate it for non-alcohol production.
This means legally you can:
It is your responsibility to know the laws in your area.