CHAPTER 142
HB 1241 – FINAL VERSION
15Feb2012… 0444h
28Mar2012… 1336h
05/09/12 1938s
2012 SESSION
03/10
HOUSE BILL 1241
AN ACT relative to table wines and specialty beer.
SPONSORS: Rep. Weyler, Rock 8; Rep. Allen, Rock 11; Rep. Hill, Merr 6; Rep. R. Barry, Hills 19; Rep. Winter, Merr 3
COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture
This bill defines fermented fruit and agricultural products with an alcohol content of 15.5 to 18 percent as table wine. This bill also refines the definition of specialty beer.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
15Feb2012… 0444h
28Mar2012… 1336h
05/09/12 1938s
12-2590
03/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twelve
AN ACT relative to table wines and specialty beer.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
142:1 Definitions; Table Wine and Wine Vendor. Amend RSA 175:1, LXIX-LXX to read as follows:
LXIX. “Wine-table” means a product obtained by the fermentation of the natural content of fruit or other agricultural products containing sugar and containing more than 6 percent but not more than [15.5] 18 percent alcoholic content by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The commission may approve as a table wine a higher alcoholic content product, not to exceed 24 percent, that is obtained in the same manner.
LXX. “Wine vendor” means an individual, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, which sells table wine to the state, containing more than 6 percent but not more than [15.5] 24 percent alcoholic content by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
142:2 Wine Manufacturer License. Amend RSA 178:8, I-II to read as follows:
I. Wine manufacturer licensees may ferment fruit or other agricultural products [naturally] containing sugar to produce table wine [containing at least 6 but not more than 15.5 percent alcohol by volume], and to produce from that wine fortified wine [containing at least 15.5 but not more than 24 percent alcohol by volume].
II. Each wine manufacturer [of domestic wines] in this state shall have the right to sell and to transport and deliver wines manufactured by it directly to the holders of on-premises or off-premises licenses issued by the commission. No [domestic] wine manufactured in this state by any manufacturer shall be sold or delivered in this state in any manner which is inconsistent with the provisions of this title.
142:3 Definitions; Specialty Beer. Amend RSA 175:1, LXIV-a to read as follows:
LXIV-a. “Specialty beer” means any beer as defined in RSA 175:1, VII intended for human consumption as a beverage, having an alcohol content greater than 6 percent but not more than 12 percent by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Specialty beer shall possess the character and flavor of a beer and may contain added ingredients such as, but not limited to, molasses, maple syrup, honey, spices, herbs, fruits, nuts, chocolate, vanilla, or other nonbeverage ingredients. Specialty beer shall not include a caffeinated or stimulant-enhanced malt beverage or flavor. The commission may approve any specialty beer greater than 12 percent alcohol by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The commission may approve any specialty beer as liquor as defined by RSA 1751:1, XLII and shall establish rules for a listing procedure.
142:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved: June 7, 2012
Effective Date: June 7, 2012