Sunday Beer Run: Can Heb Help?

Texas has a rich history of alcohol laws, sometimes referred to as ABC laws, which can be confusing to navigate. In 2021, Texas updated its laws to allow for the purchase of beer and wine on Sundays starting at 10 am instead of noon. Grocery and convenience stores in Texas can sell beer from 7 am to midnight, Monday to Friday, and 7 am Saturday to 1 am Sunday morning. This means that yes, you can buy beer at H-E-B on a Sunday, as long as it is within the permitted hours.

Texas alcohol laws

Texas has some unique alcohol laws. Firstly, the minimum age to consume alcohol in Texas is 21, as in all other states, but Texas is one of ten states that allow consumption by minors in the presence of supervising family members. Texas law states that parents accept responsibility for minors under 15 when they are on their property or property leased by them. 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 consumes the alcoholic beverage.

Texas alcohol sales are regulated by the type of alcohol and the day of the week. Beer and wine can be sold from 7 am to midnight Monday to Friday, 7 am to 1 am on Saturday, and 10 am to midnight on Sunday. Licensed restaurants, bars, and other establishments can serve alcohol for consumption on their premises starting at 10 am on Sunday if served with food, and until 2 am every night if the establishment has a late-hours permit and is located in a city or county that allows such sales.

Alcohol/liquor sales are more restricted. They are prohibited on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Alcohol sales are also prohibited before 10 am and after 9 pm on any other day. Liquor can only be purchased from specific liquor stores, which must be closed when alcohol sales are prohibited. Grocery stores, drug stores, and convenience stores do not sell liquor, only beer and wine.

Texas has a mix of "wet", "dry", and "moist" counties. "Wet" counties are where all alcoholic beverage sales are legal, "dry" counties are where sales of alcoholic beverages are not legal anywhere in the county, and "moist" counties are a mix of wet and dry areas. Only four Texas counties are completely dry counties.

Some other Texas alcohol laws include:

• All previously opened containers of alcoholic beverages must be stored and transported in a vehicle's trunk or other storage to which the driver and passengers do not have access.
• No specific training is required to serve alcohol, but the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code states that if an employee serves alcohol to an intoxicated patron, the employer will not be held responsible if the employee completes training approved by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
• Voter approval is required to approve alcohol sales in a given region. Separate votes are required for on-premise and off-premise beer, wine, and liquor sales.
• Hotel bars can serve alcohol to registered guests at all hours.

Beer availability at H-E-B

H-E-B stocks a range of beer options, including domestic, imported, Texas craft beers, and seasonal selections. The availability of specific beers may vary by store.

In Texas, beer and wine can be purchased from grocery and convenience stores between 7 a.m. and midnight from Monday to Friday, and from 7 a.m. on Saturday until 1 a.m. on Sunday. On Sundays, sales begin at 10 a.m. and continue until midnight.

Liquor stores are closed on Sundays and certain holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If these holidays fall on a Sunday, the stores must remain closed on the following Monday.

H-E-B does not sell liquor in Texas. Only state-licensed liquor stores, bars, and restaurants are permitted to sell liquor in the state.

Sunday beer sales timings

Texas has specific laws regarding the sale of beer and other alcoholic beverages. Beer and wine can be purchased in-store from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Friday, and from 7 a.m. on Saturday until 1 a.m. on Sunday morning.

On Sundays, beer and wine sales begin later, at 10 a.m., and continue until midnight. This change in the law was implemented in 2021, allowing earlier access to alcoholic beverages on Sundays.

Liquor stores are not permitted to operate on Sundays and are subject to different regulations. They are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

For those wishing to purchase beer at H-E-B, the above timings for Sunday sales apply. Beer can be bought from 10 a.m. onwards at H-E-B on Sundays.

It is important to note that Texas has strict liquor laws, and these laws vary based on the type of business and the day of the week. Additionally, some counties and municipalities have separate alcohol regulations that are enforced on top of state laws.

Beer tastings at H-E-B

H-E-B offers beer tastings at select stores, allowing customers to sample a variety of beers before making a purchase. This is a great opportunity for customers to explore different flavours and discover new favourites.

The beer selection at H-E-B includes a wide range of options, from domestic and imported beers to Texas craft beers and seasonal offerings. With the mix-and-match 6-packs, customers can create their own customised variety packs, making it even easier to find the perfect beer to suit their tastes.

For those looking to try something new, H-E-B's beer buyer hand-picks their top summer brews, providing customers with expert recommendations. H-E-B also offers a range of beer-infused recipes, such as beer can chicken and chocolate beer floats, providing unique and creative ways to enjoy their favourite beers.

In terms of purchasing alcohol in Texas, there are specific laws in place that vary for different types of alcohol and locations. Beer and wine can be purchased at grocery and convenience stores from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Friday, and 7 a.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. on Sunday. On Sundays, sales begin at 10 a.m. instead of noon, as of a law update in 2021. Liquor stores are closed on Sundays and certain holidays, operating from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on other days.

Alcohol laws in Texas bars and restaurants

Texas has strict laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol. Firstly, you must be 21 years old to legally drink in the state. Grocery stores, drug stores, and convenience stores only sell beer and wine; liquor can only be purchased from specific liquor stores. These liquor stores are closed on Sundays and are open from 10 am to 9 pm on other days.

On Sundays, stores cannot sell alcohol unless it is under 17% ABV. Beer and wine can be purchased from stores between 12 pm and 12 am. Drinking establishments, such as bars and restaurants, can serve all types of alcohol between 12 pm and 2 am on Sundays, and alcohol may be purchased from 10 am onwards if in conjunction with food. Alcohol cannot be bought after 2 am at these establishments.

The legal hours of sale and service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises license holders (e.g. bars and restaurants) are as follows: Monday to Friday, 7 am to midnight; Saturday, 7 am to 1 am; and Sunday, 12 pm to midnight (10 am to 12 pm only with the service of food). If the establishment has a late-hours permit, they can sell alcohol until 2 am any day of the week.

Off-premises beer and wine license holders (e.g. convenience stores and grocery stores) can sell alcohol Monday to Friday, 7 am to midnight; Saturday, 7 am to 1 am; and Sunday, 10 am to midnight. Liquor stores are only open Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 9 pm, and are closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, the stores will be closed the following Monday.

It is prohibited to consume alcohol outside of drinking establishments, and there are specific rules regarding the location of alcohol sales. Establishments selling alcohol must be at least 300 feet away from public or private schools, churches, and/or public hospitals. This distance can be increased to 1000 feet under certain circumstances. Local governments can also require a minimum distance of 300 feet between certain permit types and daycare centers or childcare facilities.

There are also laws regarding BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage) locations. It is illegal to bring alcoholic beverages into establishments with a Mixed Beverage Permit or Private Club Registration Permit. However, it is legal to bring alcohol into bars, restaurants, or other establishments licensed to sell wine or beer, or into places without a permit to sell alcohol.

Texas also has laws regarding the employment of minors in establishments that sell alcohol. Generally, no license/permit holder may employ someone under 18 to sell, prepare, serve, or handle alcoholic beverages. The minimum age for employees of on-premises license holders (e.g. bars and restaurants) is 18, and employees of liquor stores must be 21 or older. There is no minimum age for off-premises license holders (e.g. most grocery or convenience stores) or wine-only package stores.

Frequently asked questions