I remember when I was 4 or 5 years old…. walking down the steep steps of my grandma’s darkened basement.  I loved the sweet, musky aroma of the fermented rice she was preparing for my grandpa.  (I thought all grandmas did this…)  Yup, she was a sake making expert.  I guess it’s in my genes.  No, I can’t make sake… but I do enjoy a taste now and then.   Some pretty high end stuff out there now.  On a related note, Time reports that  moonshine is making a comeback.  Max Watman, author of the moonshine book Chasing the White Dog, found that more and more people are moonshining, despite the fact that penalties for getting caught are pretty severe.  Actually, there’s a ton of information out there on how to do it…you can even buy the gear and ingredients online.  I can tell you from experience, it’s not as easy as it looks.  And be careful what you’re sipping.  I had some premium stuff from Eastern Europe… that was so strong it will start the motor on my tractor…even on a cold day.