Beer, Wine, and Liquor Tastings Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tasting?

Where can tastings take place?

Who can conduct a tasting?

How much can an individual consume?

How do I get product to taste?

Can I advertise a tasting?

Who is responsible if a minor is served or some one is over served?

Do we need to notify the Liquor Commission?

What is a tasting?

NH Law authorizes on-sale and off-sale licensees to provide a free sample of beer, wine, and liquor to individuals over the age of 21. All tastings are required to be free and open to the public.

Where can tastings take place?

Tastings must take place on licensed on-sale or off-sale premises during legal drinking hours of sale for the licensed premise.

Who can conduct a tasting?

1. On-sale and off-sale licensees may conduct or host tastings.
2. Beer manufacturers, beer wholesalers, brewpubs, nano breweries, beverage vendors, domestic wine manufacturers, liquor manufacturer, liquor & wine vendors, liquor and wine representatives can conduct public sampling in conjunction with on-sale or off-sale licensee.

How much can an individual consume?

1. Serving sizes are restricted by the type of product being sampled.
   1. Beer and beverages shall not exceed 4 ounces.
   2. Wine shall not exceed 2 ounces.
   3. Liquor and Fortified Wine shall not exceed 1/2 ounce.
2. There is no restriction as to how many samples an individual can receive but it is the responsibility of the licensee to make sure that no one is over served and are of legal drinking age.

How do I get product to taste?

1. On-sale and off-sale licensees shall purchase all liquor and wine from the NH Liquor Commission for tastings that they are conducting. Beer and beverage shall be purchased from NH licensed beer wholesalers, beverage manufacturers, brewpubs or nano breweries.
2. If a licensed NH beer wholesaler, beverage manufacturers, brewpubs or nano breweries, NH Liquor and Wine Vendor, Liquor and Wine Representative, wine manufacturer, liquor manufacturer are conducting a tasting in conjunction with an on-sale or off-sale licensee then the licensed beer wholesalers, beverage manufacturers, brewpubs or nano breweries may bring products onto the licensed premise to conduct the tasting provided that any product not used during the tasting is removed immediately after the tasting is over.

Can I advertise a tasting?

Yes, an on-sale or off-sale licensee may advertise a tasting event as long as no NH beer wholesalers, beverage manufacturers, brewpubs or nano breweries, NH Liquor and Wine Vendor, Liquor and Wine Representative, wine manufacturer, liquor manufacturer provide the on-sale or off-sale licensee any money towards the placement of the ad.

Who is responsible if a minor is served or some one is over served?

The licensee on whose premise a public sampling occurs and the licensee conducting the sampling shall both be equally responsible for ensuring that all requirements are met under the law.

Do we need to notify the Liquor Commission?

Yes, the NH Liquor Commission must be notified in writing prior to any beer, wine, and liquor tastings by the licensee providing the samples. Reference Liq 405.01 Definitions and Liq 405.02 Beverage/Liquor/Wine Public Sampling Notification.

You may mail your request to: NHLC Division of Enforcement, Auditing Bureau, Concord NH 03301 or it may be emailed to the audit department at ENFAudit@liquor.nh.gov.

To obtain a complete list of the rules and regulations please visit Liq 405 Public Sampling Of Beverage/Liquor/Wine pursuant to RSA 179:44 Free Drinks.

If you have any additional questions please free feel to contact the auditing department at ENFAudit@liquor.nh.gov or call (603) 271-2039.