The Overview

Nip bottles are now a no-go in Topsfield. A new Massachusetts law lets the town of Topsfield convert four off-premises licenses for wine and malt beverages into licenses to sell all alcoholic beverages, and it prohibits selling alcoholic beverages in containers under 200 milliliters. ​

Massachusetts Senate Bill 2526, "An Act authorizing the town of Topsfield to convert 4 licenses for sale of wine and malt beverages not to be drunk on the premises to 4 licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises and to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages in the containers less than 200 milliliters," was signed by Gov. Maura Healey (D) on Sept. 10. Nip bottles were considered a significant source of litter in western Massachusetts and elsewhere in the state, WWLP reported in 2024, and they were included in an expanded bottle-deposit program aimed at reducing waste.

What the Law Does

The law allows Topsfield to convert four existing licenses for off-premises wine and malt beverage sales into four licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages, also not to be drunk on the premises. At the same time, the law prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages in containers smaller than 200 milliliters.

That combination means the four stores gain broader inventory rights while giving up the ability to stock nips. The State House News Service reported that the bill authorizes Topsfield to convert four wine-and-malt licenses to licenses for all alcoholic beverages.

Legislative Status

Sen. Bruce Tarr (R) sponsored the bill, with cosponsors Rep. Kristin Kassner (D) and Rep. Sally Kerans (D). The bill drew bipartisan support, with a Republican senator and two Democratic representatives joining forces on a local licensing measure.

The Senate passed the bill on April 1; on Aug. 6 its text was replaced with that of H5650; the Senate concurred in the House amendment on Aug. 27; and the bill was enacted on Sept. 3. The Citizen Portal reported that the Senate adopted an amendment and passed the bill to be engrossed before final enactment.

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