What are the best ways to earn money as a Moonshiner?

Earning money as a Moonshiner in Red Dead Online requires a mix of strategy, preparation, and understanding the game mechanics. The Moonshiner role is unlocked after reaching Rank 5 in the Trader role or by purchasing a Moonshiner Shack for 25 Gold Bars. Once you have your shack, you can start producing and selling moonshine, which is one of the most profitable activities in the game.\n\nTo begin, you need to set up your Moonshine business. Purchase a Moonshine Shack from Maggie Fike, who can be found at one of the five available locations: Tall Trees, Bayou Nwa, Heartlands, Hennigan''s Stead, or Grizzlies. Each location has its pros and cons, but Bayou Nwa is often recommended for its proximity to Saint Denis, which makes selling moonshine easier. Once your shack is set up, you''ll need to complete a bootlegger mission to reduce the cost of mash, the base ingredient for moonshine.\n\nProducing moonshine involves three main steps: acquiring mash, choosing a recipe, and completing deliveries. Mash is the foundation of your moonshine, and its cost can be reduced by completing bootlegger missions or story missions for Maggie. The more missions you complete, the cheaper the mash becomes, increasing your profit margins. Recipes are unlocked as you level up the Moonshiner role, with higher-tier recipes offering better payouts. For example, the ''Spiced Island'' recipe, unlocked at Rank 10, is one of the most profitable options.\n\nOnce your moonshine is ready, you''ll need to deliver it to buyers. Delivery missions are time-sensitive and involve transporting your moonshine wagon to a specific location. Be prepared for NPC ambushes or rival players attempting to steal your cargo. To minimize risks, travel with a posse or use defensive mode to avoid PvP encounters. Additionally, upgrading your wagon at Rank 10 to the Large Delivery Wagon increases your payout significantly, making it a worthwhile investment.\n\nA common challenge for new Moonshiners is managing the production cycle efficiently. To maximize profits, always aim to reduce the mash cost to $10 by completing bootlegger missions. This ensures you keep more of your earnings. Additionally, prioritize upgrading your equipment, such as the Copper Still, which reduces production time and increases the quality of your moonshine. Higher-quality moonshine fetches better prices, so always aim for three-star batches.\n\nAnother tip is to diversify your income streams. While moonshine deliveries are lucrative, they have a cooldown period. Use this downtime to engage in other activities like bounty hunting, collecting, or trading. This ensures a steady flow of income while waiting for your moonshine to be ready. For example, completing a Collector map run can earn you hundreds of dollars in the time it takes to produce a batch of moonshine.\n\nFinally, always be prepared for unexpected challenges. Keep your weapons loaded and your horse well-fed, as you may encounter hostile NPCs or players during deliveries. Use the ''Cinematic Camera'' mode during long rides to reduce fatigue, but stay alert for ambushes. By following these strategies, you can maximize your earnings as a Moonshiner and enjoy one of the most rewarding roles in Red Dead Online.