Harmony Chandler
Vermont has a unique arrangement for the sale of alcohol. The state contracts with private retailers to sell alcohol, and beer and lower-alcohol wines are typically available in convenience and grocery stores. Alcohol can be purchased seven days a week, and while grocery stores can sell alcohol from 6 am to midnight, gas stations can sell beer and wine from 6 am to 12 am every day of the week, provided it is in its original packaging and for off-premise consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you buy beer at gas stations in Vermont? | Yes |
| Days of the week beer can be bought in Vermont | Monday to Sunday |
| Hours when beer can be bought at gas stations in Vermont | 6 am to 12 am |
| Age restriction on buying beer in Vermont | 21 years |
What You'll Learn
Vermont's alcohol laws
Vermont has a unique arrangement for the sale of alcohol. The state contracts with private retailers to sell alcohol rather than operating state-owned stores. Beer and lower-alcohol wines are typically available in convenience and grocery stores. While retail stores can sell alcohol from 6 am to midnight, bars and restaurants may serve from 8 am to 2 am. The state also allows alcohol delivery and growlers.
Vermont has an open container law, which means that no previously opened bottles of alcohol may be transported in the main compartment of a vehicle. They must be stored in the trunk of the car, a locked glove box, or behind the rearmost upright seat if there is no trunk. There are exceptions to this law for passengers in commercial vehicles, such as limousines, and for people in the living area of a motorhome.
The legal limit for drivers under 21 years old in Vermont is a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.02%. For drivers 21 and older, the limit is 0.08% BAC, and for commercial drivers, it's 0.04% (except for school bus drivers, who have a limit of 0.02% BAC). A driver with a BAC over 0.08% is considered 'per se intoxicated', meaning no further evidence is required to prosecute for DUI (driving under the influence). The penalty for a DUI conviction includes a license suspension for 90 days for the first offense, up to 18 months for the second offense, and permanent license revocation for the third offense.
In addition to the laws around drinking and driving, there are also regulations for where and when alcohol can be purchased in Vermont. On-premise retailers, such as bars and restaurants, can sell alcohol from 8 am to 2 am, while off-premise retailers like grocery and liquor stores can sell from 6 am to midnight. Vermont gas stations can sell beer and wine from 6 am to midnight, and all alcohol sold must be in its original packaging.
Athletic Brewing: Where to Buy and What to Know
You may want to see also
On- and off-premise retailers
Vermont has a unique arrangement for the sale of alcohol. The state contracts with private retailers to sell alcohol rather than operating state stores. Beer and lower-alcohol wines are usually available in convenience and grocery stores. While retail stores can sell alcohol from 6 a.m. to midnight, bars and restaurants may serve from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.
On-premise retailers in Vermont can sell alcohol between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m. These include bars and restaurants, which can sell beer, wine, and liquor every day of the week. The majority of sales are for on-premise consumption, but take-out orders can include alcohol between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Vermont gas stations can sell beer and wine from 6 a.m. until midnight every day of the week. All sales must be for off-premise consumption, and all alcohol sold must be in its original packaging.
Off-premise retailers in Vermont can sell alcohol between 6 a.m. and midnight. This includes grocery stores, which can sell beer and wine for off-premise consumption. A grocery store may have an attached liquor store to sell hard liquor, but it will be considered a separate area. Liquor stores in Vermont can sell beer, wine, and liquor from 6 a.m. until midnight every day of the week. All sales must be for off-premise consumption, and all alcohol must be sold in its original packaging.
Kwik Trip Neenah: Beer Buying Experience
You may want to see also
Open container laws
Vermont has an open container law, which means that no previously opened bottles of alcohol may be transported in the main compartment of a vehicle. Any open containers must be stored in the trunk of the car, a locked glove box, or behind the rearmost upright seat if the vehicle does not have a trunk. This law applies to both drivers and passengers, and the maximum fine for an open container violation is $25 for both drivers and passengers.
There are some exceptions to this law. Passengers in certain types of vehicles, such as commercial vehicles like limos, are allowed to possess and consume alcohol. Additionally, people in the living area of a motor home are also exempt from the open container law. It's important to note that these exceptions only apply to alcoholic beverages and not to marijuana, which is prohibited in vehicles.
Vermont defines an "alcoholic beverage" as any alcohol, malt beverage, spirit, wine, or any beverage composed of such. This includes You may want to see also Vermont has a unique arrangement for the sale of alcohol. While the state is not dry, it contracts with private retailers to sell alcohol rather than operating state stores. Beer and lower-alcohol wine are available in convenience and grocery stores. Retail stores can sell alcohol from 6 a.m. to midnight, while bars and restaurants may serve from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Vermont has no dry counties, but it does have four dry towns: Athens (Windham County), Baltimore (Windsor County), Holland (Orleans County), and Maidstone (Essex County). These towns have exercised their local option to forbid sales of beer and liquor. Together, they are home to less than 1,500 people. Holland, located on the Canadian border east of Derby Line, is the largest with 614 residents, according to a 2019 estimate. Sixteen other towns in Vermont have decided to restrict alcohol sales to beer and wine only. Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle are the only counties without a totally or partially "dry" location. The history of alcohol regulation in Vermont is a long and complex one. As early as the 1800s, Vermont had a drinking problem, with alcohol abuse leading to serious social issues such as families being left destitute. In 1817, a state legislative committee found that in some towns, people spent more on liquor than on schools and all other public expenses combined. In response to the drinking problem, social reformers created a temperance movement to combat the evils of drink. When moral suasion failed to change society, reformers turned to changing the laws. In 1844, lawmakers banned the selling of alcohol in all Vermont communities but left a massive loophole: a "local option" system that allowed communities to opt out of the ban if voters approved local liquor licenses. The battle between temperance supporters and those who favoured a ban on alcohol sales continued for decades, with the public ambivalent on the issue. In 1850, lawmakers scrapped the annual referendums on liquor and voted to make the entire state "dry," with exceptions for small beer, cider, and judge-issued licenses for alcohol for medicinal, chemical, and mechanical purposes. In 1852, the Legislature further restricted alcohol sales, banning the sale or production of all alcohol except for medicinal purposes and communion wine. However, lawmakers still seemed unsure what the public wanted, so they called for another non-binding statewide referendum. The vote was extremely close, with prohibition winning by just 521 votes statewide. In 1853, lawmakers considered repealing the prohibition law, but ultimately decided to leave it in place. The law would stand for half a century. In the early 1900s, the issue of prohibition once again became a political wedge issue. Percival Clement, a Rutland marble quarrying scion and former mayor, state representative, and state senator, challenged the establishment candidate for the Republican Party nomination for governor in 1902, using prohibition as a campaign point. Clement proposed a local-option proviso that would allow towns to decide whether to become "wet" or "dry". Clement lost the nomination, but his call for local option was popular, and lawmakers approved such a law in 1902. Once again, however, the decision was left to the people of Vermont, who voted to delay the enactment of the law until 1906, with the understanding that the law would be revoked during the grace period. In the end, the new law only lasted 18 years, as the passage of the 18th Amendment instituted national Prohibition, taking the power to decide the issue away from the states. Ironically, Vermont's governor at the time was Percival Clement. Today, local option remains alive in Vermont, with communities having the right to vote at town meetings to become dry or wet. However, it has been decades since a handful of towns voted to become dry, and most have since voted to remove themselves from that list. You may want to see also Vermont has a unique arrangement for the sale of alcohol. The state contracts with private retailers to sell alcohol, rather than operating state-owned stores. Beer and lower-alcohol wines are typically available in convenience and grocery stores. Alcohol delivery is permitted in Vermont, with some rules and regulations in place. Rules and Regulations Vermont has specific regulations for alcohol delivery, which vary depending on the retailer. Here are some key rules to note: Delivery Services Several services offer alcohol delivery in Vermont, including Instacart and Drizly. With Instacart, customers can use the app or website to shop for beer, wine, liquor, and extras like mixers and soda. Drizly also offers online ordering and delivery within 60 minutes. Gas Stations Vermont gas stations are permitted to sell beer and wine from 6 am to midnight every day. All sales are for off-premise consumption, and the alcohol must be in its original packaging. You may want to see also Yes, gas stations in Vermont can sell beer and wine from 6 am until midnight every day of the week. All sales must be for off-premise consumption and all alcohol sold must be in its original packaging. The minimum drinking age in Vermont is 21. There are no dry counties in Vermont, but there are 4 dry towns where you cannot buy alcohol. Vermont has an open container law, meaning no open bottles of alcohol may be transported in the main compartment of a vehicle. They must be in the trunk of the car. Beer can be purchased from on-premise retailers such as bars and restaurants between 8 am and 2 am. Off-premise retailers like grocery stores and gas stations can sell beer from 6 am to midnight. These hours are the same throughout the week, including Sundays. Yes, alcohol delivery is legal in Vermont. Deliveries must be made by the licensee or their employees and must follow certain time restrictions.Buying Beer Late Night in Texas: What's the Deal?
Dry towns
Buying Beer with Food Stamps: What's Allowed?
Alcohol delivery
Buying Beer in Connecticut: Grocery Store Rules Explained
Frequently asked questions
