Which of the following substances would NOT be considered liquor under Maine law?

In Maine law, the classification of what constitutes liquor is specific and generally includes spirits, wine, and hard ciders. However, the key aspect of this question lies in the definition of malt liquor. Under Maine's regulations, malt liquor would be considered liquor, but there is a significant distinction when it comes to its alcoholic content.

Malt liquor that contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume is not considered liquor; instead, it is classified differently, typically as a non-alcoholic beverage. This threshold is important as it differentiates between alcoholic and non-alcoholic states of malt beverages. Thus, malt liquor with an alcohol content below this level does not fall under the same legal restrictions and definitions that apply to higher-alcohol-content beverages like spirits, wine, or hard cider. This makes the answer to this question clear—malt liquor less than 0.5% is the only choice that does not meet the legal definition of liquor in Maine.