Beer Drinking In Texas: Can My So Join?

Texas has a rich drinking culture, with a variety of alcoholic beverages available for consumption. The legal drinking age in the state is 21 years old, and there are specific laws regulating the sale and consumption of alcohol. For example, liquor can only be purchased from designated liquor stores, while grocery stores, drug stores, and convenience stores sell only beer and wine. Texas is also known for its unique way of serving beer, often offering it dressed with a lime and salt. The state has a variety of popular beer brands, such as Shiner Bock, Dos Equis Lager, and Lone Star, each with its own distinct taste and following. The state's drinking laws also dictate the hours during which alcohol can be sold and consumed, with restrictions on public intoxication and underage drinking.

Beer drinking age in Texas

Texas has a range of laws that govern the sale and consumption of alcohol, including beer. In the state, you must be aged 21 or over to legally consume alcohol. This is in line with federal law, which also prohibits alcohol consumption by those under 21.

However, Texas is one of ten states that allow for the consumption of alcohol by minors in the presence of a parent, guardian, or spouse who consents. In Texas, a minor may possess or consume an alcoholic beverage if they are in the visible presence of their adult parent, guardian, or spouse. This is also the case for minors working in establishments that serve alcohol.

The law also states that an adult may provide alcohol to a minor if they are the minor's adult parent, guardian, or spouse, and are visibly present when the minor possesses or consumes the alcoholic beverage. This is a civil offence, and the adult will be held liable for any damages caused by the minor's intoxication.

Texas has a complex system of wet and dry counties, which determine where alcohol can be sold and consumed. There are also varying rules for the days and times that alcohol can be sold, depending on the type of alcohol and the type of establishment. For example, liquor stores are closed on Sundays, and grocery stores cannot sell liquor, only beer and wine.

Beer serving hours in Texas

Texas has strict laws concerning alcohol sales and service. The type of permit or license a business holds determines when, who, where, what, and how a business can sell or serve alcohol.

On-Premise License or Permit (e.g. Bar or Restaurant)

On-premise licenses or permits are for businesses that sell alcohol to be consumed on-site, such as bars and restaurants. The hours of sale and service of alcoholic beverages for these establishments are:

• Monday to Friday: 7 am to midnight
• Saturday: 7 am to 1 am (Sunday morning)
• Sunday: Noon to midnight (10 am to noon only with the service of food)

If the establishment is in a city or county that allows late hours and they have a late-hours permit, they can sell alcohol for on-premise consumption until 2 am any night of the week. However, consumption of alcohol must end by 2:15 am.

Off-Premise Beer/Wine License or Permit (e.g. Convenience Store or Grocery Store)

Off-premise beer/wine licenses or permits are for businesses that sell alcohol to be consumed off-site, such as convenience stores and grocery stores. The hours of sale and service of alcoholic beverages for these establishments are:

• Monday to Friday: 7 am to midnight
• Saturday: 7 am to 1 am (Sunday morning)
• Sunday: 10 am to midnight

A wine-only package store that holds a beer license may not sell wine containing more than 17% alcohol by volume on a Sunday or after 10 pm on any day. A wine-only package store that does not hold a beer license must follow the same hours of sale as a package store.

Package Store/Liquor Store

Package stores or liquor stores are businesses that sell liquor, and in some cases, beer. The hours of sale and service of alcoholic beverages for these establishments are:

• Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 9 pm
• Closed on Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day

If Christmas Day or New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the store must close on the following Monday.

Sports Venue

A sports venue is a public entertainment facility that is primarily designed and used for live sporting events. The hours of sale and service of alcoholic beverages for these establishments are:

• Monday to Saturday: 8 am to midnight
• Sunday: 10 am to midnight

In addition, a licensed or permitted premises located in a sports venue may sell alcoholic beverages between 10 am and noon on Sundays.

Festival, Fair, or Concert

A licensed or permitted premises located at a festival, fair, or concert may sell alcoholic beverages during the following hours:

• Monday to Saturday: 8 am to midnight
• Sunday: 10 am to midnight

In addition, they may sell alcoholic beverages between 10 am and noon on Sundays.

Beer drinking locations in Texas

Texas has a variety of drinking locations, from bars and restaurants to liquor and convenience stores. Here is a guide to help you navigate the beer-drinking destinations in the Lone Star State:

On-Premises Drinking Establishments:

• Bars and Restaurants: In Texas, most drinking establishments, including bars and restaurants, are permitted to serve beer, wine, and liquor from 12 pm to 2 am on Sundays. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased alongside food starting at 10 am on Sundays. This timing applies to venues, clubs, and other similar venues.
• Hotel Bars: Hotel bars are an exception to the standard rules, as they are allowed to serve alcohol to their registered guests at any time of day or night.

Off-Premises Drinking Establishments:

• Liquor Stores: In Texas, liquor can only be purchased from specific liquor stores. These stores are typically open from 10 am to 9 pm, Monday through Saturday. They remain closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
• Grocery, Drug, and Convenience Stores: These stores sell beer and wine but not liquor. The hours for purchasing beer and wine in these stores are typically from 12 pm to 12 am on Sundays and 7 am to 1 am on Saturdays. On weekdays (Monday to Friday), the hours are usually from 7 am to midnight.

It is important to note that Texas has specific laws regulating the sale and consumption of alcohol. These laws vary by county, with some being "wet" (allowing alcohol sales everywhere), others being "dry" (prohibiting alcohol sales), and most being "moist" (a mix of wet and dry areas). Additionally, there are blue laws that prohibit liquor sales on Sundays and certain holidays.

Beer drinking laws in Texas

Texas has a complex set of laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol. Here is a guide to the beer-drinking laws in the state of Texas.

Age Limit

In Texas, the legal drinking age is 21, as it is across the United States. However, Texas is one of ten states that allow for an exception to this rule, permitting minors to consume alcohol in the presence of a consenting and supervising family member, such as a parent, guardian, or spouse. This is only allowed if the minor is visibly present when the adult purchases the alcoholic beverage, and the adult accepts responsibility for the minor's safety.

Where to Buy Beer

Beer can be purchased in grocery stores, gas stations, liquor stores, restaurants, bars, and events, excluding dry counties. Beer and wine can be purchased in stores between 12 pm and 12 am Monday to Friday, 7 am to 1 am on Saturday, and 10 am to midnight on Sunday.

Where to Drink Beer

Beer can be consumed in bars, restaurants, and other licensed establishments. These venues can serve beer from 12 pm to 2 am on Sundays, and until 2 am every night if they have a late-hours permit.

Dry Counties

There are four completely dry counties in Texas, where the sale and consumption of alcohol are restricted: Borden, Kent, Roberts, and Throckmorton. There are also 196 partially wet counties, which do not permit liquor sales but allow beer and wine to be sold.

Open Container Laws

In Texas, it is prohibited to consume alcohol outside of licensed drinking establishments. All previously opened containers of alcoholic beverages must be stored and transported in a vehicle's trunk or other secure storage areas to which the driver and passengers do not have access.

Blood Alcohol Content Limits

Texas has strict laws regarding driving under the influence of alcohol. An operator of a motor vehicle is considered under the influence if they have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. For drivers under the age of 21, any detectable amount of alcohol in the blood (BAC of 0.00%) is illegal, and they may be charged with a DUI.

Other Laws

There are several other laws and regulations regarding alcohol in Texas, including those pertaining to false identification, public intoxication, and the sale of alcohol to intoxicated individuals. It is also prohibited to furnish alcohol to minors, unless the minor is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse.

Non-alcoholic beer drinking age in Texas

Texas prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors. A minor may, however, possess or consume an alcoholic drink in the visible presence of their adult parent, guardian, or spouse.

In Texas, a drink is considered 'alcoholic' if it has an ABV of 0.5% or higher. Non-alcoholic drinks, therefore, are not subject to age restrictions. Despite this, many stores will still ask for ID when selling non-alcoholic drinks due to the similarities in appearance between alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions.

In Texas, the sale of non-alcoholic beer is not restricted by law for minors. However, the state's beer franchise laws regulate the distribution of non-alcoholic beer, which may make it harder for minors to purchase depending on distribution agreements and store policies.

Frequently asked questions