What's On Tap: New Belgium, CBC Nashua and NH Legislation (Its better then it sounds)
Craft Beer Cellar Nashua: Website | Facebook |Twitter
New Belgium Brewing: Website | Facebook |Twitter
Bert's Better Beers' Draft Pick(s) of the Week:
I love Fat Tire! 1K Named in honor of our co-founder's bike trip through Europe, Fat Tire Amber Ale marks a turning point in the young electrical engineer's home brewing. Belgian beers use a far broader palette of ingredients (fruits, spices, esoteric yeast strains) than German or English styles. Together with co-founder Kim Jordan, they traveled around sampling their homebrews to the public. Fat Tire won fans with its sense of balance: toasty, biscuit-like malt flavors coasting in equilibrium with hoppy freshness. Fat Tire: Pairs well with people.
New England's Tap House Grill's Ale Communications: http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-hazy-ipa-beer-20170313-story.html
https://www.aol.com/article/finance/2017/03/14/bars-are-throwing-out-this-brand-of-beer-in-the-name-of-marriage/21885701/
http://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/2017/03/14/budweiser-explores-how-to-brew-beer-on-mars.html
HB 99 - relative to beverage containers.
Summary: Bill is designed to make the beer label approval process more streamlined
My Analysis: The amendment seems to have removed the physical sample requirement (unless specifically asked for by liquor commission). It also makes it so in-state brewers do not require federal approval if only selling in-state. It, however, removed the clause originally in the bill that stated that federal label approval for out-of-state brewers was enough for NH.
House result: Passed House on consent calendar- 3/8/2017.
Next Step: Off to the Senate
HB 161 - relative to beverage sales at farmers' markets.
Summary: This bill requires beverage manufacturer licensees to pay the beer tax on beverages sold at farmers' markets.
My Analysis: The legislators forgot to require the normal tax on these sales before, although brewers have been voluntarily paying tax anyways it seems.
Next Step: Was referred to Ways & Means committee (guess it was in the wrong one originally), public hearing was 03/07/17. Next step unknown, but seems likely this will pass unopposed.
HB 228 - relative to transportation of alcoholic beverages by a minor.
Summary: This bill allows minors to transport alcoholic beverages in a vehicle or boat when accompanied by certain family members.
My analysis: Adds stepparent, grandparent, or legal age sibling to parent, legal guardian, or legal age spouse for the law. Amendment makes age 25 of sibling.
House Result: Passed by the House by a voice vote on 1/26/17.
Next Step: Senate Judiciary committee hearing 03/14/2017, Room 100, SH, 09:15 am
HB 549 - relative to beverage vendor fees.
Summary: This bill modifies beverage vendor license fees
My Analysis: This would create new fee structures for breweries from out of state wishing to get licensed to sell in NH. Sales numbers are in-state only. Amendment lowered the top tier from 25,000 to 15,000
The text of the new fees (previously fees were $720 for under 200 barrels and $1920 for all others):
1 Fees; Beverage Vendor License:
(b) Beverage vendor license, a fee representing the total per manufacturer assessments of:
(1) $100 for each manufacturer with sales of less than 10 barrels per year;
(2) $500 for each manufacturer with sales of 10-1,000 barrels per year;
(3) $5,000 for each manufacturer with sales of 1,001-50,000 barrels per year;
(4) $15,000 for each manufacturer with sales of more than 50,000 barrels per year;
House result: Passed House on consent calendar- 3/8/2017.
Next Step: Off to the Senate.
HB 600 - relative to requirements for certain alcoholic beverage licenses.
Summary: This bill eliminates restrictions on obtaining a liquor license and being employed by a licensee based on felony convictions and character.
My Analysis: Pretty straightforward in the summary.
House result: Passed House on consent calendar- 3/8/2017.
Next Step: Off to the Senate.
HB 152 - relative to wholesale distributors of alcoholic beverages.
Summary: This bill clarifies direct shipper laws as they relate to shipments of beer.
My Analysis: An amendment has taken the teeth out of this one and it really no longer applies to direct shipping. Now it adds a mandate to the wholesaler license that requires them to attempt to get beers that retailers are looking for.
House result: Passed House on consent calendar- 03/08/2017
Next Step: Off to the Senate.
HB 353 - relative to sales of beer in refillable containers.
Summary: This bill authorizes the sale of beer in refillable containers and establishes a universal growler..
My Analysis: Would allow licensees (bars & restaurants) to fill growlers from taps for to go sales following certain rules. Amendment removes clause requiring amber glass and eases restrictions for on-premise to qualify as eligible, as well as removing mandatory training class.
House result: Passed House by voice vote on 03/08/2017.
Next Step: Off to the Senate
HB 496 - increasing the beer tax.
Summary: This bill increases the beer tax.
My Analysis: Changes the tax per gallon collected by wholesalers (or nanos) on breweries from $0.30 to $0.50.
House result: Inexpedient to legislate. Dead bill.
HB 98 - relative to brewpub licenses.
Summary: This bill authorizes brew pubs to manufacture alcoholic cider.
Brew NH Cork Board:
THS Takeover 4/11
Hop Talks 4/2
Nh craft beer week
April brewer great north
Book club henniker
Jukebox: Greenpoint Spill: Isabell
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