Buying Beer In Indiana: Current Legal Status

Indiana's alcohol laws have been described as archaic, contradictory, and confusing. However, it is legal to buy beer in Indiana, and there are several online platforms that offer beer delivery services in the state. These platforms include Drizly, Big Red Liquors, Total Wine & More, and Instacart. Each platform has its own unique selection of beers, delivery options, and requirements, such as valid ID and minimum age verification. Additionally, Indiana's alcohol laws permit the sale of alcohol from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. every day, with specific hours for carryout sales from different types of stores.

Beer delivery services in Indiana

Yes, you can buy beer in Indiana, even on Sundays. The legal hours for the dispensing of alcoholic beverages in Indiana are 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. from Sunday through Saturday. On Sundays, alcohol sales at liquor, grocery, and convenience stores are limited from noon to 8:00 p.m.

There are several beer delivery services in Indiana. Here are some options:

Instacart

Instacart offers same-day alcohol delivery or pickup in Indiana. You can shop for beer, wine, liquor, and extras like soda, mixers, and non-alcoholic drinks from a store near you using the Instacart app or website. The cost of delivery starts at $3.99 for same-day orders over $35, and you can schedule your delivery time. Please note that Instacart will check your ID for alcohol deliveries, and customers must be 21 or older to order alcohol.

Total Wine & More

Total Wine & More offers alcohol delivery in Indianapolis, Indiana, including beer, wine, and spirits. They deliver popular beer brands such as White Claw Hard Seltzer, Corona Extra, Guinness Draught, Michelob Ultra, and more.

DoorDash

DoorDash offers super-fast alcohol delivery or pick-up in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can order online from nearby restaurants and track your delivery right to your door. Please note that DoorDash may also check your ID for alcohol deliveries.

Beer buying hours in Indiana

Days and Hours for Beer Sales in Indiana:

• Saturday through Sunday: Beer can be purchased from 7:00 AM to 3:00 AM.
• Monday to Saturday: Beer sales are permitted from 7:00 AM to 3:00 AM.
• Sundays: Beer can be bought from 12:00 PM (noon) to 8:00 PM at liquor, grocery, and convenience stores.

Where You Can Buy Beer in Indiana:

Beer can be purchased at various retailers across Indiana, including:

• Liquor stores
• Grocery stores
• Convenience stores
• Gas stations
• Microbreweries (on Sundays, pursuant to Senate Bill 75)
• Restaurants and bars

Identification Requirements:

When purchasing beer in Indiana, you may be asked to present a valid form of identification to verify your age. According to state law, anyone under the age of 40 must have their identification checked during carryout sales. Accepted forms of ID include a driver's license, state-issued ID card, or US Government identification with a photo.

Other Important Information:

• Beer can be delivered to your home in Indiana via services like Instacart, which also checks IDs upon delivery.
• Indiana is one of the few states that regulate beer sales based on temperature. Cold beer can be purchased at liquor stores on Sundays but not at convenience stores.
• Indiana has a ban on "happy hour" specials, meaning establishments cannot provide discounts on alcohol during certain times of the day that are not available at all other times.
• Beer can be consumed in public places and taken out of the premises of bars and restaurants.
• It is illegal to sell or serve beer to an intoxicated person in Indiana.

Beer types available in Indiana

Indiana has over 150 breweries, so it's no surprise that the state has a diverse range of beers to choose from. Here is a list of some of the top beers available in Indiana:

Upland Wheat Ale, Upland Brewing Co. (Bloomington)

Upland Wheat Ale is a Belgian witbier brewed with organic coriander and orange zest, adding spice and tartness to the flavour profile. With an alcohol content of 4.7%, it's a great beer to enjoy while hanging out with friends or even after mowing the lawn. It's one of the first Indiana beers that locals tend to get familiar with, and it might just be the closest thing the state has to an official beer.

Zombie Dust, 3 Floyds Brewing Co. (Munster)

Zombie Dust is an award-winning American pale ale with a malty-sweet backbone and a hop profile that gives off notes of fruit and citrusy tartness. With 6.2% alcohol by volume and about 50 IBUs, it's a moderate drink that's perfect for winding down after a long day.

Wee Mac, Sun King Brewery (Indianapolis)

A Scottish ale, also known as a wee heavy, isn't typically a craft brewery's first choice, but Wee Mac is Sun King Brewery's flagship beer. This malt-sweet beer tempts the palate with hints of spice, hazelnuts, toffee, and caramel. With an alcohol content of 5.3%, it's a smooth sipper that's perfect for any season.

Lift Off IPA, Daredevil Brewing Co. (Indianapolis)

Lift Off IPA was named the best Indiana beer in an Indianapolis Times reader survey. This classic West Coast-style American IPA is clean, crisp, and accessible to a wide range of palates, while still offering enough bitterness to satisfy hop-lovers. With an alcohol content of 7.2%, it's a beer to savour slowly, as its drinkability might fool you into thinking it's less potent.

Hoosier Daddy, New Albanian Brewing Co. (New Albany)

Hoosier Daddy is a unique cream ale with a twist. It's a combination of an amber ale and a cream ale, resulting in a "cream and crimson ale" that echoes the colours of Indiana University's sports teams. Brewed with flaked corn and lactose sugar, it has a smooth and creamy flavour profile that sets it apart from other beers in its class.

Meme De La Creme, Windmill Brewing

Meme De La Creme is a milkshake IPA with a rating of 4.34 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate. With an alcohol content of 9.4%, it's a strong and creamy beer.

Zero Discipline, 18th Street Brewery - Gary Taproom

Zero Discipline is an Imperial IPA with a rating of 4.27 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate. With an alcohol content of 8%, it's a strong and well-rated beer.

Hunter Double Milk Stout, 18th Street Brewery - Gary Taproom

The Hunter Double Milk Stout is a sweet milk stout with a rating of 4.21 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate. With an alcohol content of 8%, it's a tasty and relatively strong beer.

Deal With The Devil, 18th Street Brewery - Gary Taproom

Deal With The Devil is another Imperial IPA option, with a rating of 4.31 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate. With an alcohol content of 8.5%, it packs a punch while still offering a great flavour profile.

Permanent Funeral, 3 Floyds Brewing Co.

Permanent Funeral is a highly-rated Imperial IPA, scoring 4.49 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate. With an alcohol content of 10.5%, it's a strong and well-loved beer in Indiana.

Chemtrailmix - Rye Barrel, 3 Floyds Brewing Co.

The Chemtrailmix - Rye Barrel is a highly-rated Russian Imperial Stout, scoring 4.68 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate. With an alcohol content of 15%, it's a potent and flavourful beer.

Marshmallow Handjee, 3 Floyds Brewing Co.

The Marshmallow Handjee is another Russian Imperial Stout that tops the list with a rating of 4.73 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate. With an alcohol content of 15%, it's a strong and popular beer in Indiana.

Beer and breweries in Indiana

Indiana's breweries produce a wide range of beers. In 2012, the state's 68 breweries and brewpubs employed 260 people directly, with a further 23,000 jobs in related fields such as wholesaling and retailing. The total tax revenue generated by Indiana's breweries and related industries was over $456 million, with consumer purchases generating an additional $192 million.

Indiana's oldest active brewery is the Broad Ripple Brewpub in Indianapolis, which was established in 1990. Other notable breweries in the state include:

• New Albanian Brewing in New Albany
• Sun King Brewing in Indianapolis and Fishers
• Thieme and Wagner in Lafayette
• Three Floyds Brewing in Munster
• Upland Brewing Company in Indianapolis and Bloomington

Indiana has a number of laws and regulations surrounding the sale of alcohol. Alcohol can be sold between 7 a.m. and 3 a.m. throughout the week, with the exception of Sundays when sales at liquor, grocery, and convenience stores are limited to between noon and 8 p.m. Indiana is the only state in the US that regulates beer sales based on temperature, prohibiting the sale of cold beer in convenience stores. The state also has a ban on 'happy hour', preventing bars and restaurants from selling alcohol at reduced prices during a certain period of the day.

Beer and alcohol laws in Indiana

Indiana's alcohol laws have evolved over the years, with some of the most significant changes occurring in recent times. Here is a comprehensive overview of the beer and alcohol laws in the state of Indiana.

History of Alcohol Laws in Indiana

Indiana has had a complex history with alcohol laws, with some restrictions being lifted and new ones being implemented over the years. From 1918 until 1920, Indiana prohibited alcohol sales as a state, which was followed by the national prohibition of alcohol with the 18th Amendment. In 1933, Prohibition was officially repealed with the 21st Amendment, and Indiana passed a liquor control act in 1935, allowing retail whiskey to be sold only in drugstores but not for on-site consumption. Beer and wine could be sold in drugstores and restaurants, but sales on Sundays, holidays, and Election Day were prohibited.

Current Alcohol Laws in Indiana

The current alcohol laws in Indiana are as follows:

• Alcohol Sales Hours: Alcohol can be sold and dispensed from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. every day of the week, including Sundays.
• Sunday Alcohol Sales: Since 2018, alcohol sales have been permitted on Sundays in Indiana, marking a significant change from previous years. Convenience stores, grocers, and liquor stores are allowed to sell alcohol from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sundays.
• Carryout Alcoholic Beverages: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Eric Holcomb relaxed policies, allowing restaurants to sell carryout alcoholic drinks with takeout orders. These temporary provisions were made permanent in 2021, benefiting bars and restaurants.
• Election Day Alcohol Sales: Alcohol sales on Election Day are now permitted in Indiana. Prior to 2010, alcohol sales were banned on this day due to the tradition of taverns being used as polling stations.
• Drinking in Public: Indiana allows drinking in public places. Patrons of bars and restaurants can take their drinks with them when leaving the premises, except in vehicles, where open containers are prohibited unless the passenger is paying for their ride or consuming alcohol in an RV.
• Happy Hour: Indiana has a ban on happy hour, prohibiting establishments from selling alcohol at reduced prices during specific periods of the day.
• Alcohol Taxes: Indiana imposes excise taxes on alcohol sales, with consumers paying $2.68 per gallon, $6.37 per 9L, and $0.53 per 750ml bottle.
• Drinking Age: The minimum drinking age in Indiana is 21 years old, and it is illegal for minors to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol.
• ID Requirements: Indiana law mandates that permittees and their employees check the identification of anyone under 40 years of age for carryout sales. For on-premise consumption, while not legally required, establishments are encouraged to ask for ID from individuals who appear under 26 years of age.
• Food Service Requirements: Establishments that sell alcohol by the "drink" must provide food service for at least 25 people at all times, offering hot soups, hot sandwiches, coffee, milk, and soft drinks.
• Discounts and Specials: It is unlawful for establishments to provide discounts or specials on alcohol to certain customers or at certain times of the day that are not available to everyone.
• Public Intoxication: While merely being intoxicated in public is not a violation, endangering oneself or others, breaching or threatening to breach the peace, or harassing or alarming another person while intoxicated is a class B misdemeanor.

Beer-Specific Laws in Indiana

Indiana has some unique laws pertaining specifically to beer:

• Cold Beer Sales: Indiana is the only state that regulates beer sales based on temperature. Cold beer can be purchased in liquor stores, but it is prohibited from being sold in convenience and grocery stores.
• Beer Growlers: Beer growlers can be filled on Sundays, as long as the beer is from a brewery that brews on its premises.
• Beer Delivery: A beer dealer cannot sell and deliver more than 864 US fluid ounces (25.6 L) of beer for carry-out or delivery to a customer's residence in a single transaction. This limit also applies to grocery and drug store retailers.

In summary, Indiana's beer and alcohol laws have undergone significant changes, especially in recent years, with the relaxation of some restrictions to support local businesses and the implementation of new laws to promote responsible alcohol consumption.

Frequently asked questions