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Brewers Say Allowing New Hampshire-Made Beverages in Taprooms Would Boost Tourism and Collaboration
Summary
HB1765 would let manufacturers that lack restaurant licenses serve other New Hampshire-made alcoholic beverages (excluding distilled spirits) under existing tasting limits; industry witnesses said the change would expand markets, aid collaborations and better meet visitor expectations.
Representative John Hunt introduced HB1765 to allow manufacturers (breweries, cideries, wineries and other non-distilled beverage producers) that do not also hold restaurant licenses to serve other New Hampshire-made alcoholic beverages on site within current tasting limits (one drink without food, two with food where applicable). The sponsor said the change aims to support small businesses and tourism by creating parity with tasting-room practices common in other states.
Erica Rosenfeld, owner of Post and Beam Brewing and president of the New Hampshire Brewers Association, said the bill would help attract non-beer drinkers, expand collaborative marketing and sales opportunities, and enable visitors to sample a full range of New Hampshire-produced beverages in a single taproom experience. She noted the rule targets New Hampshire-made products and excludes liquor.
Small-brewery owner Steve Alman (Canterbury Ale) also testified in favor, characterizing craft beverages as tourism assets and urging parity with out-of-state tasting-room expectations.
The committee closed the hearing on HB1765.
