What is the purpose of maintaining an incident log book?
Documenting incidents and descriptions within a log book may protect you against allegations of improper sales or service of alcohol to underage or intoxicated patrons.
While underage drinking has always been a problem, it has become more prevalent in recent years. More and more children and teens are drinking alcohol, and they are starting younger than ever. Almost 12% of New Hampshire youths took their first drink before their 12th birthday. More than 50% took their first drink before they turned 17.
Early drinking can affect growth and brain development. The younger kids are when they start drinking, the harder it is for them to quit. Be the adult, and talk to your kids about choosing the right path to avoid underage drinking.
Documenting incidents and descriptions within a log book may protect you against allegations of improper sales or service of alcohol to underage or intoxicated patrons.
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: PO Box 1795, Concord NH 03302-1795 or it may be emailed to the audit department at audit@liquor.state.nh.us.
To obtain a complete list of the rules and regulations please visit Liq 405 Public Sampling Of Beverage/Liquor/Winepursuant to RSA 179:44 Free Drinks.
If you have any additional questions please free feel to contact the auditing department at audit@liquor.state.nh.us or call (603) 271-2039.
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.
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.
Tastings must take place on licensed on-sale or off-sale premises during legal drinking hours of sale for the licensed premise.
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.
The Total Education in Alcohol Management® class is held at non-licensed establishments; public library, police department, municipal building, and conference center.
Online training is also available: https://lms.nh.gov/liquor/portal/
The Enforcement & Licensing office or your Liquor Investigator maintains a supply of age
requirements posters for licensed establishments to display in a conspicuous place.
RSA 179:18 Posting of
Age Requirements:
ID Checking Guide: call 1-800-227-8827 or visit www.idcheckingguide.com
We
Card Calendar: call 1-800-934-3968 or visit www.wecard.org
Please call the training unit at (603) 271-8531 to obtain copies of cards which can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed. You may also request an up to date list of employees who have attended any training program.
Training for employees of licensed liquor establishments is not mandatory in New
Hampshire.
“Annual Training is Recommended”
The commission does require the proprietor, partner, officer, member or designated manager of a
new retail license to attend MTS training within 45 days of license issue.
RSA 178:2 Licenses
Authorized; Training Required
An on sale licensee may allow the sale of alcohol from 6:00 am to 1:00 am.
179:17 Hours of
Sales
You may employ a person convicted of a felon for up to 60 days. A waiver must be completed and
approved by the Commission in order to employ a convicted felon longer than 60 days. A licensee
shall be fined up to $50 per day of employment beyond 60 days.
RSA 179:23 Employment;
Employment of Minors; Felon Exceptions
You may advertise liquor or beverages at a licensed premise as long as it is consistent with the
spirit of public health or safety. The Commission may suspend the advertising or promotion of
liquor or beverage deemed inconsistent. A city or town may adopt provisions that prohibit signs
in view of any public way promoting liquor or beverages at reduced prices by an on-premises
licensee.
RSA 179:31
Advertising Restrictions
Advertising liquor or beverages with an internally illuminated sign outside the premise is not
permitted.
You may use internally illuminated signs (no neon) inside the licensed
premises.
RSA 179:25
Sign Restrictions
Written “House Policies” shows evidence of a responsible business practice and do have the option to be stricter than state laws regarding alcohol sales and service.
Yes however, you should not put your personal safety at risk to confiscate a false identification.
If you do confiscate an ID you believe is altered or fictitious, contact Liquor Enforcement
(271-3521) to surrender the ID as soon as possible.
RSA 179:9 Person
Misrepresenting Age
RSA 179:62 Manufacture,
Sale, and Possession of False Identification
No on-premises or off-premises licensee or employee shall consume beverage or liquor while
working.
RSA 179:20
Employee Restrictions
No “employee” includes persons who are permitted, required, or directed by an
employer to engage in employment with consideration of direct or indirect gain or
profit.
RSA 275:4,
II Definition of Terms
In order to serve or handle alcohol as a waiter, waitress, or bartender the employee shall be 18
years old.
RSA
179:23 Employment; Employment of Minors; Felon Exception
To act as a cashier in a selling capacity the employee shall be 16 years old.
RSA 179:23 Employment;
Employment of Minors; Felon Exception
Prohibited Sales is a Class B misdemeanor criminal offense with a fine of $1200. If service of
alcohol purposely or recklessly caused bodily injury, the state may change the offense to a
Class A misdemeanor with a fine of $2000, and/or one year in jail.
179:58
Penalties
RSA
625:9 Classification of Crimes
Odor of alcohol, Stumbles, Falls, Staggers, Loud, Bloodshot eyes, Slurred speech, Disheveled appearance, Loss of coordination, Impaired judgment, Foul language, etc.
An off sale licensee may allow the sale of alcohol from 6:00 am to 11:45 pm.
179:17 Hours of
Sales
Dry & Limited Alcohol Sales RSA 175:7 Local Option provides for voters of cities and
towns questions concerning the sale and consumption of liquor, malt beverages and wine. (In
1964, two questions were placed on the ballot; one concerning the sale of beverages and another
to approve the sale of liquor.) The below list are towns who either rejected alcohol sale
altogether or placed limits on the types.
New Hampshire
Dry Towns and Limited Alcohol Sales List