Nebraska

Updated: 4/2019

Status: Permitted, subject to simple fermentation.

Statute

Nebraska statute Chapter 53, Article 1, § 53-168.06 permits the making of wine, cider, or other alcoholic liquor by a person from fruits, vegetables, or grains, or the product thereof, by simple fermentation and without distillation, if made solely for the use of the maker and his or her family and guests.

Discussion

This statute is a very concise exception enabling the production of beer without license or permit. Alcoholic liquor shall include alcohol, spirits, wine, beer, and any liquid or solid, patented or not, containing alcohol, spirits, wine, or beer and capable of being consumed as a beverage by a human being.

Special Provisions

In 2019, the Nebraska Legislative passed an amendment to Chapter 53, Article 1 § 53-168.06 to change provisions relating to prohibited acts, to change exceptions for making and serving certain types of alcoholic liquor by non-licensed persons as prescribed, and to repeal the original section. Under the amendment, it is permissible for the making, transporting, and delivering of wine, cider, beer, mead, perry and other alcoholic liquor to be served, without a permit, for an exhibition, festival, or tasting competition, including exhibitions, festivals, or tasting competitions that are for nonprofit organizations such as fundraising events as long as it is not sold or offered for sale.

State Alcohol Beverage Control Agency

• Nebraska Liquor Control Commission
• 301 Centennial Mall South, 5th Floor
• P.O. Box 95046
• Statehouse Station
• Lincoln, NE 68509-5046
• Phone: 402.471.2571
• Fax: 402.471.2814

Applicable Statutory Material

§ 53-103. Terms, defined.

(5) Beer shall mean a beverage obtained by alcoholic fermentation of an infusion or concoction of barley or other grain, malt, and hops in water and shall include, but not be limited to, beer, ale, stout, lager beer, porter, and near beer;

(6) Alcoholic liquor shall include alcohol, spirits, wine, beer, and any liquid or solid, patented or not, containing alcohol, spirits, wine, or beer and capable of being consumed as a beverage by a human being. Alcoholic liquor shall also include confections or candy with alcohol content of more than one-half of one percent alcohol.

§ 53-168.06. General prohibition; exceptions.

No person shall manufacture, bottle, blend, sell, barter, transport, deliver, furnish, or possess any alcoholic liquor for beverage purposes except as specifically provided in the Nebraska Liquor Control Act. Nothing in the act shall prevent (1) the possession of alcoholic liquor legally obtained as provided in the act for the personal use of the possessor and his or her family and guests; (2) the making, transport, and delivery of wine, cider, or other alcoholic liquor by a person from fruits, vegetables, honey, or grains, or the product thereof, by simple fermentation and without distillation, (a) if made solely for the use of the maker and his or her family and guests if such alcoholic liquor is not sold or offered for sale, or (b) if made without a permit for an exhibition, festival or tasting competition, including exhibitions, festivals, or tasting competitions that are for nonprofit organizations such as fundraising events, legally conducted under the act, if such alcoholic liquor is not sold or offered for sale. Alcoholic liquor served pursuant to this subdivision (b) shall clearly be identified as alcoholic liquor that was manufactured under an exception to the rules and regulations of the commission by signage, and the location of the manufacturer shall be available upon request. Free or reduced admission to the exhibition, festival, or tasting competition shall not be considered a sale of the alcoholic liquor.

Note: The information presented here is to the best of our knowledge and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice specific to the laws of your state.