Thanksgiving Beer Run: New Hampshire's Alcohol Sales Rules

Whether you can buy beer on Thanksgiving depends on the state. In New Hampshire, state-run liquor and wine retailers are closed on Thanksgiving, and the sale of alcohol is banned. However, grocery and convenience stores in the state may sell beer and packaged beverages up to 6% alcohol from 6:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. on Thanksgiving. So, if you're in New Hampshire and looking to buy beer on Thanksgiving, you may be able to find it at grocery or convenience stores, but not at state-run liquor stores.

State-run liquor stores are closed on Thanksgiving

In New Hampshire, state-run liquor stores are closed on Thanksgiving. While the state does not have an official ban on alcohol sales on Thanksgiving, the state government runs the liquor and wine retailers and does not allow sales on the holiday. This means that you cannot purchase liquor or wine on Thanksgiving in New Hampshire.

However, there are some exceptions and alternative options to consider. Privately-owned retailers may be open on Thanksgiving, as they can choose to remain open or closed on the holiday. Additionally, grocery and convenience stores in New Hampshire may sell beer and packaged beverages up to 6% alcohol from 6:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Restaurants and bars are also permitted to sell beer, wine, and spirits from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving.

It is worth noting that there is one dry area in New Hampshire, the town of Ellsworth, where the sale of any alcoholic beverage is completely prohibited. Additionally, other towns in New Hampshire have significant restrictions on alcohol sales, including Brookfield, Canterbury, Dummer, Eaton, Hancock, Hebron, and New Castle. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the local laws and regulations for the specific area of New Hampshire you are in or planning to visit.

If you are looking to purchase liquor or wine on Thanksgiving in New Hampshire, your best option is to plan ahead and ensure you have what you need before the holiday. Alternatively, you may be able to find open privately-owned retailers or purchase beer and lower-alcohol beverages from grocery and convenience stores or restaurants and bars, depending on their operating hours.

Beer and wine can be purchased at grocery stores

If you're hosting or attending a Thanksgiving celebration in New Hampshire, it's important to plan ahead to ensure you have enough drinks for the festivities. While some states have complex liquor laws that restrict alcohol sales on certain days, New Hampshire offers some flexibility when it comes to purchasing beer and wine.

In New Hampshire, beer and wine can be purchased at grocery stores and convenience stores. These stores are typically open every day, including Thanksgiving, from 6:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. This extended window provides ample opportunity to stock up on your favourite beverages or make a last-minute dash to the store if you run out. However, it's worth noting that these stores are only authorised to sell beer and table wine with an alcohol content of up to 6%. For higher-percentage beverages, you'll need to visit a liquor store or another specialised retailer.

Liquor stores in New Hampshire have different operating hours and regulations. State-run liquor stores, which sell wine and distilled spirits, are usually closed on Thanksgiving, along with Easter and Christmas. This means that if you're looking for spirits to elevate your Thanksgiving cocktails, you'll need to plan ahead and make your purchases before the holiday. Privately owned liquor stores, on the other hand, may choose to remain open on Thanksgiving, providing an alternative option for those last-minute spirit needs.

It's worth noting that the sale of alcohol in New Hampshire comes with certain restrictions. For example, the state prohibits the sale of alcohol to anyone under the age of 21, and using a false ID to purchase alcohol is a crime. Additionally, the state has strict laws against driving under the influence, with penalties including license suspension, fines, and alcohol education courses.

In summary, if you're in New Hampshire and find yourself in need of beer or wine on Thanksgiving, you can conveniently purchase them at grocery or convenience stores within their specified operating hours. However, for spirits or higher-percentage beverages, you'll need to rely on privately owned liquor stores, as state-run liquor stores are typically closed for the holiday. As always, it's essential to drink responsibly and abide by the state's alcohol-related laws to ensure a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving celebration.

On-premise retailers can sell alcohol from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m

In New Hampshire, on-premise retailers can sell alcohol from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day, including Thanksgiving. On-premise retailers include bars and restaurants, breweries and taprooms. This means that if you're in New Hampshire and looking to buy alcohol on Thanksgiving, you can do so at any of these on-premise retailers between 6 a.m. and 1 a.m.

However, it's important to note that state-run liquor and wine retailers in New Hampshire are closed on Thanksgiving. So, if you're looking to buy liquor or wine specifically, you won't be able to purchase those from state-run retailers on Thanksgiving.

Additionally, it's worth mentioning that the town of Ellsworth in New Hampshire is a dry town, meaning it completely prohibits the sale of any alcoholic beverage. Therefore, if you're in Ellsworth, you won't be able to purchase alcohol on Thanksgiving or any other day.

Thanksgiving can be a busy and stressful time, and it's easy to forget to stock up on alcohol for the holiday. While on-premise retailers in New Hampshire can sell alcohol from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., it's always a good idea to plan ahead and make sure you have everything you need before Thanksgiving Day arrives.

If you're travelling to a different state for Thanksgiving, remember that liquor laws vary, and some states may have different restrictions on alcohol sales. So, it's always a good idea to check the specific laws and regulations of your destination state to ensure you're prepared.

Off-premise retailers can sell alcohol from 6 a.m. to 11:45 p.m

In New Hampshire, off-premise retailers can sell alcohol from 6 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. every day of the week, including Thanksgiving. This includes grocery and convenience stores, which can sell beer and packaged beverages containing up to 6% alcohol.

However, it's important to note that state-run liquor and wine retailers in New Hampshire are closed on Thanksgiving, so only beer can be purchased on that day. Additionally, some counties or towns in New Hampshire may outlaw the sale of alcohol on Thanksgiving, so it's always a good idea to check with the specific store or the state's alcohol control board for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

While the sale of alcohol is permitted in New Hampshire on Thanksgiving, it is still illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase or consume alcohol in the state, and strict penalties are in place for those who violate these laws. It is also a crime to use a false ID to buy alcohol or to sell, lend, or transfer a false ID to another person.

Ellsworth is the only dry town in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, you can buy beer from an off-premise retailer between 6 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. every day of the week, including Thanksgiving. On-premise retailers can sell alcohol between 6 a.m. and 1 a.m. or 2 a.m., depending on the locality. However, state-run liquor stores are closed on Thanksgiving, and only beer and wine are available for sale at supermarkets and convenience stores.

While New Hampshire is not a dry state, it does have one dry town: Ellsworth. In Ellsworth, you cannot buy any alcohol within the town limits. The other dry towns in the state, Millsfield and Monroe, have since become "wet" and allow the sale of alcohol.

The history of Ellsworth's prohibition is not entirely clear, but it is likely due to local regulations and the town's voters' decision. In 1964, during the general election, New Hampshire communities were asked four questions about permitting the sale of alcoholic beverages. While the vast majority of communities approved all four questions, a handful of towns, including Ellsworth, rejected them and remained dry.

Being a dry town in a state that allows alcohol sales can create unique challenges and complexities, especially with the advent of internet sales. For example, shipping alcohol into dry towns has been a common reason for some towns in New Hampshire to change their regulations and allow alcohol sales.

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