Kansas Beer Laws: Convenience Store Edition

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States. The state had a long period of prohibition from 1881 to 1948, and continued to prohibit on-premises liquor sales until 1987. Kansas's strict approach to alcohol is a result of its history with the temperance movement. So, can you buy beer at convenience stores in Kansas?

Kansas is not a dry state, but it has one dry county

Kansas is not a dry state, but its alcohol laws are among the strictest in the United States. The state had a long period of prohibition, lasting from 1881 to 1948, which has left its mark on the state's modern-day approach to alcohol regulation.

Kansas has 105 counties, which are divided into three categories: 30% food sales requirement, no food sales requirement, and no alcohol by the drink. As of March 2023, there is only one dry county in Kansas, Wallace County, where on-premises liquor sales are prohibited, but the sale of 3.2% beer is permitted.

The remaining 104 counties in Kansas allow the sale of alcohol, but with varying restrictions. Sixty-three of these counties require that alcohol sales be accompanied by a 30% food purchase, while the other 39 counties do not have this requirement.

Kansas's complex alcohol laws also dictate when and where alcohol can be purchased. Off-premise beer sales can be made Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. On-premise beer sales can be made any day from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

The state's strict alcohol laws also apply to drinking and driving, with a maximum blood alcohol level of .08% for persons over 21 and %.02 for minors. Kansas takes a hard line on DUI, with even a first-time offence resulting in jail time, community service, fines, and license suspension.

Beer with an ABV of 6% or less can be bought at convenience stores

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States, and the state's history with alcohol is a long and complex one. From 1881 to 1948, Kansas had a statewide prohibition on alcohol, lasting longer than any other state. It continued to prohibit general on-premises liquor sales until 1987.

In recent years, Kansas has started to relax its alcohol laws. In 2019, a new law came into effect allowing beer with an ABV of 6% or less to be sold at convenience stores and grocery stores. Prior to this, retailers were limited to selling beer with a much lower ABV of 3.2%. This change in legislation means that it is now more convenient for consumers to purchase stronger beer, as they no longer need to go to a liquor store.

However, it is important to note that Kansas still has strict regulations surrounding alcohol sales. For example, there are still dry counties in Kansas where the sale of alcohol is prohibited. Additionally, the sale of beer is only allowed during certain hours, and open containers of alcohol are prohibited in most places outside of licensed premises.

Convenience stores and grocery stores in Kansas are now able to sell beer with an ABV of 6% or less. This change in legislation has made it more convenient for consumers to purchase stronger beer, as they no longer need to visit a liquor store. However, it is important to be mindful of the other alcohol regulations in Kansas, such as the hours during which beer can be sold and the locations where alcohol consumption is permitted.

Beer with an ABV of over 6% can only be bought at liquor stores

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States, and the state's approach to alcohol is highly regulated, influenced by its long history of prohibition.

In Kansas, beer with an ABV of over 6% can only be bought at liquor stores. This is because Kansas law prohibits the sale of alcoholic liquor, which includes beer containing over 3.2% ABV, outside of licensed liquor stores. These stores can also sell wine and spirits, which are not available at convenience stores or grocery stores.

Previously, state law limited retailers to selling beer with an ABV of 3.2% or less. However, a new law that came into effect on April 1, 2019, allows grocery and convenience stores to sell beer with an ABV of up to 6%. This change in legislation means that consumers can now buy stronger beer with their groceries or at a gas station. However, several craft beers have an ABV higher than 6%, so liquor stores remain the only place to purchase these beverages in Kansas.

Liquor stores in Kansas are now also permitted to sell other non-alcohol-related items, as long as they account for less than 20% of their overall sales. This includes items such as tobacco, mixers, and lottery tickets.

Liquor stores can sell non-alcoholic items, accounting for up to 20% of sales

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States, and the state's approach to alcohol is highly regulated. While Kansas is not a dry state, it does have one dry county where on-premises liquor sales are prohibited, but the sale of 3.2% beer is allowed. In the rest of the state, beer can be purchased at various locations, including bars and restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, liquor stores, and breweries or taprooms.

Previously, grocery and convenience stores in Kansas could only sell beer with up to 3.2% alcohol by volume (ABV). However, a new law that came into effect on April 1, 2019, allows these stores to sell beer with up to 6% ABV. This change in legislation gives consumers more options for purchasing stronger beer and is seen as a positive development by many.

The new law also impacted liquor stores in Kansas, which previously had the exclusive right to sell strong beer. Now, liquor stores can sell non-alcoholic items, as long as they account for less than 20% of their overall sales. This includes products like mixers, lime, lemon, soda, tobacco, and lottery tickets. Liquor stores can also sell wine and spirits, which are not available at grocery and convenience stores.

Liquor stores in Kansas have had to adapt to the new law by rearranging their spaces to accommodate the additional non-alcoholic items. This change has brought about a shift in the alcohol landscape in Kansas, with liquor stores now offering a wider range of products to compete with convenience and grocery stores.

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the US

The state's strict approach to alcohol regulation stems from its history of temperance. In the 19th century, the temperance movement in Kansas was influenced by the presence of Puritans in the territory, the association of saloons with men, and the link between the temperance movement and the abolitionist cause.

Kansas was the first state in the US to implement a constitutional prohibition on alcohol, and it was a centre of the temperance movement. The famous advocate of prohibition, Carrie A. Nation, moved to Kansas in 1889, where she became known for her enforcement of the state's prohibition of alcohol.

Even after the Twenty-first Amendment ended nationwide prohibition in 1933, Kansas voters rejected a proposal to end the state's prohibition and regulate and tax liquor instead. It wasn't until 1948 that voters approved an amendment to the Kansas Constitution, allowing the legislature to regulate and tax the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquor.

Today, Kansas still has some strict alcohol laws in place. As of March 2023, the state has one dry county, where on-premises liquor sales are prohibited, but the sale of 3.2% beer is permitted. Kansas has a three-tier liquor distribution system, where alcohol is distributed from manufacturer to distributor to retailer. Off-premises liquor sales are only allowed in licensed liquor stores, and there are restrictions on the days and hours that alcohol can be sold.

Kansas also has strict laws regarding the purchase of alcohol. For example, you cannot buy hard liquor in grocery stores, only beer. Gas stations can only sell beer with an ABV of less than 6%. There are also dry counties in Kansas, where you cannot purchase alcohol at all.

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