Here's a shocker ... "Moonshiners" star Tickle  -- who makes a living distilling blindingly high-proof alcohol -- was arrested  last week for public intoxication.

Law enforcement tells TMZ, Steven Ray  Tickle was popped in Danville, Virginia last Thursday afternoon after a police  officer discovered him boozing alone in his car, which was parked at a  convenience store parking lot.

According to police, the officer  approached the car and smelled alcohol coming from the vehicle.

The  officer says he attempted to make arrangements for someone to pick Tickle up and  take him home, but to no avail. The officer subsequently placed Tickle under  arrest for being drunk in public.

35-year-old Tickle was taken to  Danville City Jail and was released later that day. Attempts to reach Tickle for  comment were unsuccessful.

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