Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Challenge to Federal Ban on Distilling Spirits at Home

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a challenge to the federal ban on distilling alcohol in private homes, a Reconstruction-era law about 160 years old. People caught distilling at home face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The court will review Department of Justice v. McNutt, which involves an April ruling. Americans can legally brew beer or make wine at home, but making whiskey, vodka or other spirits can lead to federal prison time. The court's review could change that. The articles give no date for arguments or a decision.

Alternative and right-leaning outlets had covered the story, while left-leaning outlets had not reported it at the time of writing. Axios, the alternative source, leads with the possibility that people could soon make their own spirits. It stresses the contrast with legal home beer and wine production and names the case under review. Just the News, the right-leaning source, leads with the court's agreement to review the ban and highlights the maximum penalties. Both agree on the core fact that the court took up the case. Neither includes outside voices in the available excerpts.