Beer Sale at NH Farmers Markets Approved

New Hampshire lawmakers approved a bill Wednesday to allow farmers markets to sell beer.

The bill was introduced by state Rep. Donna Schlachman, D-Exeter. It will now go to the Senate for passage.

Lawmakers hailed the bill as a common-sense measure. It had strong bi-partisan support and there was no debate on it.

"It shows how New Hampshire government can work in the best way," Schlachman said.

Local breweries are toasting today's development. The legislation will tap a new source of revenue for nanobreweries like North Hampton's .

"It not only gives us a venue to sell to customers and get more exposure, but more importantly it lets 'shop local'-minded consumers that go to the farmers markets to pick up fresh meat, dairy and vegetables to pick up fresh beer at same time," said Throwback co-founder Nicole Carrier. "It makes me smile."

She said Throwback uses ingredients from local farms and added a majority of her customers are "the type of people who make farmers markets part of their weekly routine."

Lawmakers offered similar praise.

"We have helped get rid of some red tape and restrictions that have been put on our state’s small businesses in favor of a more streamline and competitive environment," House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt, R-Salem, said in a statement. "This bill should be a prime example of what good legislation can do in regards to improving the many growing and niche industries throughout our state."

Schlachman said she put the bill together after talking to small brewers like Throwback. Currently, only wine can be sold at local farmers markets like the ones held in and .

Schlachman said it makes sense to support local businesses like breweries.

"(Their beer) is a locally developed product," she said.

Schlachman's bill originally applied to so-called "nanobreweries" like Throwback, and not microbreweries like the Portsmouth Brewery – which yesterday generated a lot of buzz during its annual release of its .

The bill was ultimately revised to include all beer makers. Schlachman said it was a matter of fairness.

That means huge beer makers like Budweiser would technically be allowed to sell at farmers markets under the bill. But Schlachman said that would be unlikely, as their relative profit would be minimal. And the farmers markets themselves would have the right to determine which beer gets sold.

The bill's original sponsors include:

• Rep. Mark Warden, R-Manchester
• Rep. Patty Lovejoy, D-Stratham
• Rep. Calvin Pratt, R-Goffstown
• Sen. Russell Prescott, R-Kingston