Navigating Beer Runs: Outings During Lockdowns

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, work, and socialise. During the lockdown, many people have turned to alcohol for comfort, and the rules about how we buy alcoholic beverages have changed. While some states have chosen to relax alcohol laws, others have implemented stricter measures.

In Canada, many breweries have implemented new beer shopping options, such as social distancing protocols, direct home delivery, and reduced or removed shipping costs. Government-run and private alcohol retailers are also remaining open in most provinces, with some shifting to delivery and/or pick-up only operations. Similarly, in Scotland, several breweries are still delivering beer, both nationally and locally, and some are selling merchandise to support their business.

In the United States, the rules vary by state. For example, Alabama initially prohibited all alcohol delivery, but later authorised restaurants and bars to sell alcohol for curbside pickup. On the other hand, states like Arizona and California allowed restaurants to deliver alcohol, including mixed drinks and cocktails, with food orders.

Beer delivery services

• Tavour: This service offers unique craft beers delivered directly to your doorstep. With Tavour, you can explore a constantly evolving selection of beers from top breweries across the country, including rare and sought-after brews.
• Craftshack: Craftshack provides a wide range of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, sours, and gluten-free options. They offer speedy delivery and have a variety of highly-rated products to choose from.
• Total Wine & More: This delivery service offers beer, wine, and spirits, with a focus on providing a wide range of popular options. They deliver to select locations and have a variety of benefits for their customers.

When using beer delivery services, it's important to keep in mind the legal restrictions on alcohol delivery, which vary by state. Some states have more permissive laws, while others have stricter regulations on alcohol sales and distribution. Additionally, there may be restrictions on the days and hours when alcohol can be sold and delivered. It's always a good idea to check the local laws and regulations before placing an order.

Overall, beer delivery services offer a convenient and exciting way to enjoy your favourite beverage from the comfort of your home. With a wide range of options to choose from, you can discover new craft beers, stock up on old favourites, or even send beer gifts to loved ones.

Beer shopping options during COVID-19

Arizona

Restaurants can offer alcohol with food orders, including pick-up, delivery, and drive-through services.

California

Restaurants may offer beer and wine in a refillable or sealed container with the purchase of food.

Colorado

On-premise retail establishments and breweries are permitted to sell, deliver, or provide alcohol for takeaway. Warning labels are mandatory for all takeaway alcohol items.

Connecticut

Certain restaurants and other eating establishments are permitted to sell alcohol with takeaway food orders. Alcohol can be sold by restaurants with food for pick-up only. Curbside pickup of alcoholic beverages from package stores is also allowed.

Delaware

Governor John Carney issued a modification to the state of emergency declaration, allowing any restaurant, brewpub, tavern, or taproom with a valid on-premise license to sell alcoholic beverages as part of transactions for take-out food or drive-through food service. Alcohol sales cannot exceed 40% of the total sales transaction.

District of Columbia

ABC-licensed restaurants and taverns are permitted to sell beer, wine, and spirits in closed containers for carry-out and/or delivery, provided it is accompanied by at least one prepared food item.

Florida

Restaurants may sell alcohol as part of take-out or delivery orders.

Georgia

Restaurants and other eating and drinking establishments where food is served are allowed to offer beer and wine via delivery service, drive-through, or take-out while closed for dine-in services. Grocery stores and restaurants can sell sealed alcohol as carry-out or drive-through only.

Idaho

Licensed retailers may deliver wine and beer.

Illinois

Bars and restaurants can stay open for take-out, delivery, and curbside pickup orders only.

Indiana

Holders of on-premise permits may sell alcoholic beverages for carry-out consumption.

Iowa

Bars, restaurants, and other alcohol retailers may sell alcohol in unopened containers for carry-out, curbside pickup, drive-through, or home delivery.

Kansas

Specific retailers may sell alcohol for curbside pickup only. Establishments holding a class A club license, class B club license, or drinking establishment license are permitted to sell alcohol in containers that are not the original.

Kentucky

Restaurants that have an active liquor license and are also doing food delivery or carry-out may deliver sealed alcoholic beverages in their original containers to customers.

Louisiana

Specialty beer and wine stores are considered essential businesses and are encouraged to maximize opportunities for curbside pickup and delivery. The sale of beverages by bars and restaurants must be accompanied by a food order.

Maine

On April 3, 2020, Governor Baker signed a bill authorizing on-premises licensees to sell malt beverages and wine for off-premises consumption for the duration of the Governor’s declared state of emergency.

Maryland

Certain licensed retailers may deliver alcohol to your home.

Massachusetts

On April 17, 2020, Gov. Walz signed legislation allowing takeout sales of beer and wine from bars and restaurants with food orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Licensed restaurant establishments can sell the equivalent of a six-pack of beer and a standard bottle of wine without acquiring an off-sale license.

Michigan

The ABC will allow permitted restaurants to sell a single, sealed bottle of wine with a to-go order until April 30, 2020. Curbside pickup and delivery options are available, but home delivery is not permitted.

Minnesota

Restaurants and bars must be closed, except for drive-through, delivery, curbside, or take-out. The City of Henderson has temporarily allowed curbside alcohol service for certain business license classifications. Las Vegas has introduced a new temporary permit that will allow restaurants to sell alcohol with curbside meals.

Mississippi

Licensed establishments may offer take-out or delivery only and only during regular posted business hours. No table or bar service and no on-premise alcohol consumption are allowed until further notice.

Missouri

Licensed retailers may provide curbside pickup for alcoholic beverages if they are in the original, sealed container.

Montana

On-premise liquor license holders may sell alcoholic beverages in the original package to go. Sale of mixed drinks for take-out is temporary. Restaurants will be able to sell beer, wine, and spirits to customers placing take-out or delivery orders.

Nevada

Restaurants and bars will be permitted to sell alcohol on drive-thru or curbside orders. Temporary Operating Permits have been extended from 90 to 180 days.

New Hampshire

All restaurants, diners, bars, saloons, private clubs, or any other establishment that has both a restaurant license and an on-premise license from the New Hampshire Liquor Commission are temporarily authorized to allow for the takeaway or delivery of beer or wine.

New Jersey

Bars and restaurants may only offer takeout and delivery of food. Wineries, brewpubs, craft distillers, and package liquor stores may offer takeout only.

New Mexico

Licensed retailers may sell alcoholic beverages in the sealed, original container for takeout and delivery with the purchase of food.

New York

Any on-premises licensee and any manufacturing licensee with on-premises retail privileges may sell for off-premises consumption any alcoholic beverages that it is able to sell for on-premises consumption under the law.

North Carolina

Depending on your city, it may or may not approve the curbside pickup, to-go sale, and delivery of alcohol. The Fargo City Commission has approved this within Fargo City limits for 30 days.

North Dakota

Permit holders may sell beer, wine, and prepackaged mixed beverages in their original, sealed containers for off-premise consumption. Sealed beer and wine products can be delivered by an employee of the permit holder.

Ohio

Beer shopping in Canada during lockdown

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Canadians were self-isolating, and many businesses were closing, making the usual methods of in-person beer shopping unavailable. However, many breweries and retailers across Canada offered alternative options for purchasing beer.

Atlantic Canada

In New Brunswick, most ANBL stores remained open with reduced hours and special protocols in place. In Nova Scotia, NSLC stores remained open with similar measures, and restaurants were allowed to sell alcohol for takeout or delivery when ordered with food. In Prince Edward Island, most PEILCC stores were closed, but several offered pre-order pickup services, and some restaurants could sell alcohol for takeout when paired with food. In Newfoundland, NLC stores were closed to walk-in shopping, but most locations provided pre-order pickup services.

Quebec

SAQ stores remained open with reduced hours and special protocols, and online ordering for delivery was available. Grocery stores and depanneurs were also open, some with reduced hours and special protocols.

Ontario

Ontario was in lockdown starting December 26, with discount and big-box retailers that sold groceries permitted to operate with in-person shopping at 25% capacity limits. Stores that sold liquor, including beer, were limited to 25% capacity and were required to keep members of the public outdoors at all times, including for curbside pickup or delivery. Beer could be purchased at LCBO and Beer Store locations, which were open with reduced hours and special protocols, and some offered pre-order pickup and delivery. Licensed grocery stores were also open, most with reduced hours and special protocols. Restaurants were permitted to deliver alcohol when ordered with food.

Prairies

In Manitoba, Liquor Mart stores were open with special protocols, and some offered direct delivery. Restaurants could deliver alcohol when ordered with food. In Saskatchewan, SLGA stores were open with special protocols, private stores were allowed to remain open and offer delivery services, and restaurants could sell alcohol for takeout and delivery. In Alberta, most private stores were open, with AGLC-recommended special protocols, and restaurants could sell alcohol for takeout and delivery with or without food orders.

British Columbia

BC Liquor stores were open with special protocols, and most private liquor stores were also open, many with special protocols. Restaurants were allowed to deliver alcohol when ordered with food.

The North

Yukon Liquor, Northwest Territories Liquor, and Nunavut's Iqaluit Beer & Wine stores remained open, with the latter two operating with reduced hours and special protocols.

Post-Lockdown

Following the lockdown, the sale of alcohol with food takeout and delivery in Toronto became permanent, and convenience stores began advocating for the sale of beer and wine in their shops to support local producers and help the sector recover.

Beer sales in France during lockdown

During the COVID-19 lockdown, sales of beer in France saw an increase, despite an overall decline in alcohol sales in the country. While sales of alcohol fell by 16% in the first two weeks of the lockdown, beer sales rose by 6.9%. This is likely due to the warm weather, as sales of rosé wine also increased by 3.2%.

The increase in beer sales could also be attributed to the closure of cafés and bars, as well as the inability to travel over the border to purchase cheaper alcohol. However, the overall beer sector saw a sharp decline in sales, with more than 60% of beer typically being consumed in pubs.

Beer shopping in-person during lockdown

Location-Specific Regulations:

Different states and even local jurisdictions within states may have varying rules regarding beer sales during lockdown. Some areas may completely prohibit the sale of alcohol, while others may only restrict sales to certain days or hours. Be sure to check your local government's website for the most up-to-date information.

Type of Store:

On-premises sales typically refer to purchases made at restaurants and bars, while off-premises sales are for bottles or cans bought at grocery stores, convenience stores, or liquor stores. The regulations may differ between these types of establishments, with on-premises sales often having more restrictions. Additionally, some states only allow liquor sales at state-run stores or licensed drug stores.

Day and Time Restrictions:

The day of the week can also impact your ability to purchase beer in person. For example, many states prohibit the sale of alcohol on Sundays, especially during specific hours. Some states also have restrictions on alcohol sales during certain holidays.

Age Verification and ID Policies:

When purchasing beer in person, it's important to carry a valid ID that proves you are of legal drinking age. In some states, retailers are required to verify the ID of everyone in your party, not just the person making the purchase. This is to prevent straw purchases or providing alcohol to minors.

COVID-19 Impact:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many states implemented temporary measures to allow restaurants and bars to sell alcohol for takeout, delivery, or curbside pickup. These measures were intended to support the struggling hospitality industry and provide additional options for consumers. However, these rules may have changed or expired, so be sure to check for the most recent updates.

In summary, when considering beer shopping in-person during lockdown, always check your local regulations, be mindful of the type of store and their operating hours, carry a valid ID, and stay informed about any temporary changes due to COVID-19.

Frequently asked questions