Alabama Sunday Beer Buying: Russellville's Unique Case

Alabama has strict laws surrounding the sale of alcohol, with the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board regulating distribution, sales, and licensing since 1937. While the state is not dry, it has several dry counties, and many others are partially dry. The sale of alcohol on Sundays is prohibited by default, but localities can change this by voting. In Montgomery, for example, alcohol can be purchased any time on Sunday except between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. State-run liquor stores are closed on Sundays, but grocery and liquor stores can sell alcohol from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day.

Alabama's alcohol laws vary by location

State-run liquor stores are closed on Sundays, as well as on Christmas and Thanksgiving. They are open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 9 pm. However, grocery and liquor stores are allowed to sell alcohol from 6 am to 2 am, Sunday to Saturday. Counties and cities can set their own hours for selling alcohol, and some are fairly restrictive.

In Montgomery, Alabama, you can buy beer for off-premise consumption 24/7. However, beer for on-premise consumption is available 24 hours a day, except for Sunday. In Birmingham, Sunday sales are allowed from 10 am. Mobile, Huntsville, Auburn, and Hoover also allow Sunday on-site consumption sales from 10 am. In Tuscaloosa, Sunday sales are permitted from noon.

Alabama has strict laws related to the manufacturing, distributing, selling, and consuming of alcohol. The state has a monopoly on the sale of wine with an alcohol content of 14% or higher and all distilled spirits. Grocery and convenience stores may sell wine with less than 14% alcohol and beer under 6% alcohol.

Alcohol sales are permitted in Russellville on Sundays

Alcohol sales laws in Alabama vary by location. While state-run liquor stores are closed on Sundays, grocery and liquor stores in Russellville are permitted to sell alcohol seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Alabama's alcohol laws are determined by each county and city, and Russellville allows Sunday sales. However, alcohol sales are prohibited after 2 a.m. on Sundays in Alabama unless authorised by a separate law.

In Alabama, the sale of alcohol is regulated by the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board, which has been in control since 1937. The state has strict laws regarding the manufacturing, distribution, sale, and consumption of alcohol, and there are several dry counties where purchasing alcohol is not permitted.

The state controls the sale of liquor and wine above 16.5% ABV, which can only be purchased from liquor stores. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board also manages all alcohol licensing and sets markups and labelling requirements for liquor and wine.

While Sunday alcohol sales are permitted in Russellville, it is always a good idea to check the hours of specific retailers before planning a purchase, as laws can vary widely across Alabama.

Alcohol sales are prohibited in some Alabama counties

Alabama has a number of dry counties where alcohol sales are prohibited. While there are no counties that are completely dry, 24 out of 67 counties are partially dry, meaning they have wet cities within them. These 24 "moist" counties include:

• Bibb
• Blount
• Chambers
• Cherokee
• Clay
• Cleburne
• Coffee
• Colbert
• Conecuh
• Crenshaw
• Cullman
• Dale
• Franklin
• Geneva
• Lamar
• Lawrence
• Lee
• Limestone
• Lowndes
• Marshall
• Pickens
• Randolph
• Russell
• St. Clair
• Tallapoosa

In these partial dry counties, alcohol is heavily restricted. Outside of a few cities in each of these counties, there are very few, sometimes no options for purchasing alcohol.

The laws regarding Sunday alcohol sales vary across Alabama. While Sunday alcohol sales are historically prohibited, this has slowly changed over time. It is illegal to sell alcoholic beverages after 2 a.m. on Sundays in Alabama unless authorized by a separate law. Counties must go to the Legislature for permission to allow alcohol sales on Sundays.

Some cities in Alabama, such as Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, and Auburn, allow for Sunday on-site consumption sales starting as early as 10 a.m. In Montgomery, alcohol can be purchased any time on Sunday except between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. State-run liquor stores, however, are closed on Sundays.

Beer and wine can be sold in many retailers, but liquor sales are controlled by the state

Alabama's laws concerning alcohol sales vary widely among counties. While the state is not dry, it has several dry counties, and many other counties are "moist", with wet cities within them.

Beer and wine can be sold in many retailers, but the state controls the sale of liquor and full-strength wine. Alabama has strict laws related to virtually all aspects of alcohol, including manufacturing, distributing, selling, and consuming. The state has a government monopoly on the sale of wine with an alcohol content of 14% or higher, and on the sale of all distilled spirits. The Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board has been regulating distribution, sales, and licensing in the state since 1937.

The hours of legal alcohol sale are up to the localities, except that alcohol cannot be sold after 2 a.m. on Sunday. State-run liquor stores are closed on Sundays. Grocery and liquor stores are able to sell alcohol any day of the week between the hours of 6 a.m. and 2 a.m.

In Montgomery, Alabama, you can buy beer for off-premise consumption 24/7. However, beer for on-premise consumption is available 24 hours a day, except for Sunday. In Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, and Auburn, Sunday sales are allowed starting at 10 a.m.

Alabama's drinking laws are outdated compared to other states

Alabama's drinking laws are a reflection of the state's historical support for temperance. While these laws express the beliefs of Alabama's residents, they are relatively outdated and more restrictive compared to other states.

Firstly, Alabama has strict laws regarding the minimum age for alcohol consumption, purchase, and employment. The legal drinking age in Alabama is 21, and it is a misdemeanor for anyone under this age to consume, purchase, or possess alcohol. This includes young adults aged 18, 19, and 20, as well as active members of the U.S. military. In contrast, some states like Tennessee, Washington, Oregon, and New York allow those under 21 to drink for religious or private purposes. Additionally, Alabama requires individuals to be at least 19 to serve alcohol and 21 to be bartenders, while other states like Ohio allow underage drinking in public places like bars and restaurants if accompanied by a guardian.

Secondly, Alabama has a government monopoly over the sale of wine with an alcohol content of 14% or higher and all distilled spirits. Grocery and convenience stores can only sell wine with less than 14% alcohol and beer with less than 6% alcohol. In contrast, many other states allow the sale of beer, wine, and spirits in supermarkets, convenience stores, and gas stations without such restrictions on alcohol content.

Thirdly, Alabama has a mix of “wet” and “dry" counties, with 26 out of 67 counties prohibiting the sale of alcohol entirely. While some "dry" counties have “wet” cities, the sale of alcohol is still highly restricted in these areas. Other states, like Louisiana, have completely done away with "dry" counties, allowing alcohol sales throughout the state.

Finally, Alabama has strict laws regarding driving under the influence (DUI). The state imposes automatic license suspensions, substance abuse programs, and fines for those convicted of DUI. While other states have similar penalties, Alabama's DUI laws also include mandatory jail time for repeat offenders.

While Alabama's drinking laws are designed to prevent underage drinking and promote public safety, they are more restrictive than those of many other states. The state's historical support for temperance has led to laws that reflect a continuing suspicion of alcohol, which may be considered outdated in today's social and cultural context.

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