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Hobby liquor distilling?

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Currently, though it is legal for an individual to own a still, only persons possessing a state license can actually produce hard liquor. If HB 427 becomes law, liquor would be added to state statutes governing the personal production of beer and wine. Distilling up to 200 gallons of liquor per household for personal use would be legal without a license.Hobby liquor distilling could become a legal pastime in New Hampshire if becomes law. Read more about this issue

Should NH eliminate its ban on the hobby distillation of liquors?

Discussion held on Citizens Count NH website and Facebook page February 19, 2017

354 citizens responded 318 citizens in favor of repealing the ban on hobby liquor17 citizens opposed to repealing the ban on hobby liquor 19 citizens said other
What Participants Said

Yes: 318 people were in favor of repealing the ban on hobby liquor distilling.

  •  “Distilling of spirits has been a tradition for hundreds of years. If not being sold to the public, the state should stay out of those traditions.”
  • “Yes. What I do in my home is no one's business as long as I'm not bothering anyone else.”
  • “Should be treated no different than beer or wine making for personal use.”

No: 17 people were opposed to repealing the ban on hobby liquor distilling.

  • “Distilling can be extremely dangerous if not done correctly and it has been my observation that if people can't even clear off their cars of ice and snow, [then] I doubt they're responsible enough to handle distilling.”
  • “It's a pointless waste of time, as federal law will still prohibit distillation of liquor.”
  • “We need to check distilleries for proper manufacture of alcohol.”

Other: 19 people commented on related questions and issues instead. 
These included:

  • Current status: “There’s a ban?”
  • Liquor stores: “How about running a monopoly on liquor in NH. I thought that was illegal.”
  • Broader policy: “They should completely revamp liquor laws.”

*Editor selection of actual participant quotes.

Read the full Facebook discussion of this question

Click here for details on our methodology

 

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