The New Hampshire Craft Spirits Organization is ready to open a new page in distillery tasting rooms with the passage of SB 212, known as the “craft cocktail support act."
Effective on July 1, this law allows NH liquor manufacturers, who serve food in their tasting rooms, to offer “two cocktails per person with no more than 1 1/2 ounces of liquor produced by the liquor manufacturer per cocktail.” This also allows customers to experience distilled products the way many consumers enjoy them, in a cocktail, rather than as simply liquor.
“This is a great opportunity for the NH Craft Distilleries to compete with other states where cocktail serving is already allowed,” said Flag Hill Owner Brian Ferguson, who helped craft the bill. “It gives our products a chance to shine in the same context with which consumers are already familiar. A well-built cocktail is often the best method of showcasing the quality and enjoyment of spirits.”
This bill mirrors a similar law from a few years ago that allowed NH Wineries to serve wine by the glass, which wineries say has helped them expand their on-premise offerings.
“This is a great example of how we can all work together to make businesses prosper in NH while respecting the concerns of other stake holders,” said Ferguson. “It was bipartisan efforts from Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D), Regina Birdsell (R), Bill Gannon (D), and Richard Abel (R) that brought this bill to fruition. The NH Liquor Commission also deserves a big thank you for the continued support of our industries’ efforts and promotion of the NH Craft Distilleries and Wineries as they strive to grow and bring a taste of NH to our local patrons as well as all our out-of-state visitors.”
Pictured: Flag Hill signature cocktail: Live Free & Rye. (Photo by Celeste Guidice)
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