What are the best ways to earn cash in the Moonshiner role?

The Moonshiner role in Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most profitable roles in the game, but it requires careful planning and execution to maximize earnings. To start, you must first purchase the Moonshiner role from Maggie Fike at the Moonshine Shack, which costs 25 Gold Bars. If you already own the Trader role, this cost is reduced to 5 Gold Bars. Once you have the role, you can begin producing and selling moonshine to earn cash.\n\nTo produce moonshine, you need to set up your Moonshine Shack. The location of your shack is crucial, as it affects delivery routes and potential revenue. Popular locations include the Bayou Nwa (near Saint Denis) and Tall Trees (near Blackwater). These areas offer relatively safe and short delivery routes, reducing the risk of losing your product to rival players or NPCs. Once your shack is set up, you can start producing moonshine by purchasing mash from Maggie and adding flavorings to increase its value.\n\nFlavoring your moonshine is essential for maximizing profits. You can gather ingredients for flavorings by foraging or purchasing them from general stores. For example, Wild Creek Moonshine requires Creek Plum, Vanilla Flower, and Absinthe, while Poison Poppy Moonshine requires Oleander Sage, Absinthe, and Agarita. Each flavor has a different market demand, so check the buyer list in your shack to see which flavor is currently in high demand. Selling moonshine with the right flavor can double or even triple your earnings.\n\nOnce your moonshine is ready, you can start a delivery mission. These missions involve transporting your product to a buyer while avoiding law enforcement or rival gangs. To minimize risks, always inspect your wagon before starting the mission. Make sure it is in good condition and that you have enough health tonics and ammunition. During the delivery, drive carefully to avoid damaging the wagon, as broken bottles reduce your profit. If you encounter enemies, use Dead Eye to take them out quickly and efficiently.\n\nOne common challenge in the Moonshiner role is dealing with revenue agents. These NPCs will stop you at checkpoints and inspect your wagon. To avoid trouble, stop when prompted and let them inspect your wagon. If you have no contraband, they will let you pass. However, if you are carrying moonshine, you will need to either bribe them or fight your way through. Fighting is risky, as it can damage your wagon and reduce your profits. A better strategy is to avoid checkpoints altogether by taking alternate routes, though this may add time to your delivery.\n\nAnother way to earn cash as a Moonshiner is by completing Bootlegger Missions. These missions reduce the cost of mash, which is the primary expense in producing moonshine. Bootlegger Missions include tasks like destroying rival stills, poisoning supplies, or rescuing informants. Completing these missions not only saves you money but also adds variety to your gameplay. You can start Bootlegger Missions by speaking to Maggie or by accepting them from the mission board in your shack.\n\nTo further increase your earnings, consider upgrading your Moonshine Shack. Upgrades like the Bar Expansion and Band allow you to earn passive income by entertaining guests. While this income is modest compared to selling moonshine, it adds up over time and requires minimal effort. Additionally, upgrading your still increases production speed, allowing you to sell more moonshine in less time.\n\nIn summary, the best ways to earn cash as a Moonshiner include choosing the right shack location, flavoring your moonshine to match market demand, completing Bootlegger Missions to reduce mash costs, and upgrading your shack and still. Always plan your delivery routes carefully and be prepared for revenue agent encounters. With these strategies, you can maximize your profits and enjoy one of the most lucrative roles in Red Dead Redemption 2.