NEW HAMPSHIRE, USA — A recently-acknowledged violation of New Hampshire liquor laws has complicated alcohol sales aboard Amtrak's Downeaster train, which passes through the Granite State, officials say.
The train, which runs from Brunswick to Boston several times a day, has a liquor license in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts so customers can buy alcohol from its dining car.
But while the company was renewing its liquor license to serve alcohol aboard the train, NexDine "inadvertently acknowledged that it had been in violation of New Hampshire liquor laws, which require product served in New Hampshire to be purchased here." That's according to a spokesman for the New Hampshire Liquor Commission.
"The NH Liquor Commission has been attempting to work with NexDine on a temporary solution, while we examined the issue further," the spokesman told NEWS CENTER Maine.
In the interim, the NHLC told NexDine and the Amtrak Downeaster they can proceed with "business as usual ... until the parties are able to identify a solution."
Amtrak released the following statement to NEWS CENTER Maine:
"At this time, customers on board the Downeaster are still able to continue purchasing alcoholic drinks from the café car when riding through New Hampshire."
In a tweet Wednesday, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu appeared to suggest the issue would be resolved. He did not provide any further insight other than writing, "Not happening. First drinks are on me."