New Hampshire liquor laws are relatively strict in comparison to other states. There are a few outliers to this rule, which we will discuss later.

From a distillery point of view, the most important rules surround fees, licensing, and laws. However, understanding state drinking laws is important too.

New Hampshire State Fees

The excise tax is a tax or fee added to specific goods and services by the state. Most states add an excise tax to beer, wine, and liquor.

New Hampshire’s Beer Tax

In New Hampshire, the excise tax is $0.30 per gallon of beer. On paper, this doesn’t look like much, but ranked against the other states it comes in 21st place. Over 58% of other US states have a cheaper beer tax.

This tax will already be added to the price of purchase when you buy beer. This is on purpose to make purchasing easier for the customer. It doesn’t matter if you buy cans, bottles, or kegs.

New Hampshire’s Wine Tax

On the other end of the scale, we have the wine excise tax. Most states have a high wine tax due to the high alcohol content, however, New Hampshire doesn’t charge a fee.

This makes them the cheapest state in the US when comparing wine taxes.

New Hampshire’s Liquor Tax

The liquor tax in New Hampshire is also very cheap. Set by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the excise tax is $0. Again, other states do not follow this ruling.

This means liquor and wine are cheaper in New Hampshire than in most other states.

New Hampshire Licensing Requirements

To sell or serve alcohol in New Hampshire you need a license. Depending on the type of business you are running, the price will be between $178 and $500. Click here to start developing the license.

The process is simple. You need to complete an online application form and answer all the questions asked.

Once completed, you need to email the worksheet back to the government (an email address will be offered on the online application). As part of the email, you’ll need to include all the documents required.

As a minimum, this includes your business license and proof of business address. However, depending on your business there may be more requirements needed.

Again, these details will be told to you at the end of the application process.

Once you’ve sent the email and it has been looked at by a Licensure Specialist, someone will contact you. If documentation is missing or more information is required, they will ask for additional information. Otherwise, your license will be sent.

If you need help with the licensing process, use this email address to contact the governmental team –  licensing@liquor.nh.gov.

New Hampshire Distillery Laws And Restrictions

New Hampshire has a lot of enforcement, requirements, and penalty-based laws around the liquor and distillery industry.

New Hampshire Alcohol Storage Laws

Since 1990 New Hampshire law dictates that –

“No licensee shall store beverages or liquor in any other building or buildings other than that designated in his license, except by written permission from the commission.”

This law is about surplus liquors and beverages, and it means that your business’s liquor can only be stored in licensed buildings.

New Hampshire’s Laws Around Free Drinks

A licensed business cannot give away free drinks to anyone. This includes customers, guests, members, or patrons.

If the business conducts wine tasting or similar events, this isn’t considered free due to the purchase of the event. Samples are treated the same way, as a payment still needs to be made.

All samples must be drunk on the licensed premises and are considered sales.

New Hampshire’s Laws On Containers And Promotions

In a more covert turn, the laws around beer containers or liquor containers aren’t clear. It specifically says –

“beverage manufacturer licenses shall have their packaging or containers specifically approved by the commission.”

That’s it. However, if these ambiguous rules are not adhered to, the company can be fined $250 for each packing violation.

When it comes to promotions, the discount has to be clearly labeled, credited, and itemized.

If you need to change prices, these details need to be sent to the commission office no later than 5 working days before the event.

New Hampshire’s Invoices And Sales Slips

Any invoices, delivery slips, or sales slips in the last 60 days need to be ready for examination. A Liquor investigator can come to your business to confirm all details are correct. They can come at any time. They will look into your business from that day to the last 60 days.

All purchases and sales need to be listed for this impromptu visit.

New Hampshire Drinking Laws

Legal Age To Drink

In New Hampshire, anyone under the age of 21 cannot drink alcohol, nor can they carry alcohol.

If a minor breaks this law, they will be faced with a fine between $300 and $1,000.

If that minor can drive, then their driving license can be revoked. Depending on the severity of the situation, the driving license can be revoked for 90 days to a maximum of a year.

On the second offense, the timing increases to 6 months to 2 years.

Legal Age To Serve Alcohol

Although you have to be 21 or over to drink alcohol, bartenders can be as young as 18.

In stores, the age limit drops again, as the state allows people aged 16 and over to sell alcohol in off-licenses. However, the manager of that store must be 18 or over and present during the sale.

If someone uses a false ID to buy alcohol while underage, the retailers can sue. In a successful case, the retailers can recover the losses (including fines) caused by the illegal sale.

When Can You Sell Or Buy Alcohol In New Hampshire

Clubs, lounges, and restaurants can start serving alcohol from 6 am to 1 am. Off-License stores (stores that can sell but not serve alcohol) can sell their stock from 6 am to 11:45 pm.

These times are not restricted by days of the week, but each bar or store may have its own in-house management style.

Final Thoughts

New Hampshire has stricter rules than most states. The fines are heavy, and the laws aren’t always clear, however, the taxes are cheaper than in most states, making the beverage prices cheaper too.

Please note that drinking in public is illegal in New Hampshire so stick to bars or home events.