Buying Beer During A State Of Emergency: What's Allowed?

The ability to buy beer during a state of emergency depends on the laws of the state in question. In the United States, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution grants each state the power to regulate the sale of alcohol within its jurisdiction. This means that laws pertaining to the sale of beer vary significantly across the country.

For example, in North Carolina, the governor has the discretion to order the closure of all ABC stores and the cessation of all sales, transportation, manufacture, and bottling of alcoholic beverages during a state of emergency. However, this power is not always exercised, and individual ABC boards can set their own hours based on safety concerns.

Other states may have similar laws in place that give the governor or local authorities the ability to restrict alcohol sales during emergencies. It is important to refer to the specific laws and regulations of your state to determine if beer can be purchased during a state of emergency.

Beer buying hours by state

Beer-buying hours vary across the United States, with each state and territory having its own laws and regulations. These laws are subject to change, so it's always good to check the latest information for your specific state or location. Here is a breakdown of beer-buying hours by state, organised alphabetically:

• Alabama: Beer and wine can be purchased from state liquor stores, grocery stores, and liquor stores from Monday to Saturday, typically between 9 am and 9 pm. However, alcohol sales are prohibited in several counties known as "dry counties."
• Alaska: Beer can be purchased any day of the week from 8 am to 5 am. Local jurisdictions may have more restrictive laws.
• Arizona: Beer is available for purchase every day from 6 am to 2 am.
• Arkansas: Beer can be bought from 7 am to 1 am Monday to Friday and from 7 am to midnight on Saturdays. Sunday and Christmas Day sales are prohibited in most jurisdictions.
• California: Beer is available for purchase any day of the year, from 6 am to 2 am. Cities and counties may have additional restrictions.
• Colorado: Beer is sold from 7 am to 2 am for on-premises consumption and from 8 am to midnight for off-premises consumption. Only 3.2% ABV beer can be purchased at grocery stores.
• Connecticut: Beer can be bought from 9 am to 1 am Monday to Thursday, from 9 am to 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and from noon to 8 pm on Sundays. There are no longer statewide Sunday prohibitions, but local ordinances may restrict on-premises sales.
• Delaware: Beer is available for purchase from 9 am to 1 am Monday to Saturday and from noon to 8 pm on Sundays. Large municipalities may set stricter hours, and there are restrictions on holiday sales.
• District of Columbia: Beer can be purchased from 8 am to 2 am Sunday to Thursday, from 8 am to 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 9 am to midnight on Sundays.
• Florida: State law prohibits beer sales between 1 am and 7 am, but counties can override this. For example, Miami-Dade County allows 24/7 liquor store operations.
• Georgia: Hours of sale are determined by the county, and there are no Sunday off-premises sales. Beer with an ABV above 14% is illegal.
• Hawaii: On-premises beer sales are permitted from 11:50 am to 6 am with the proper cabaret licensing, while off-premises sales run from 11:50 am to midnight.
• Idaho: Beer can be purchased from 10 am to 1 am, and counties and cities may extend sales until 2 am. Beer and wine can be bought at grocery stores

Alcohol licenses and permits

Types of Licenses and Permits:

The type of license or permit required to sell alcohol depends on the nature of the business and the type of alcohol being sold. Common types of licenses include:

• Retail Licenses: These are typically required for businesses selling alcohol directly to consumers, such as bars, restaurants, or liquor stores.
• Wholesale Licenses: These are needed for businesses involved in the distribution and sale of alcohol to other businesses, like liquor distributors or wholesalers.
• Manufacturing/Importing Licenses: These licenses are necessary for businesses that produce or import alcoholic beverages.
• On-Premises and Off-Premises Licenses: These licenses pertain to whether alcohol is consumed on the business premises (e.g., bars and restaurants) or sold for off-site consumption (e.g., liquor stores and grocery stores).

Application Process:

Obtaining an alcohol license can be a complex and lengthy process, often involving multiple steps:

• Documentation: Businesses must provide various documents, including applications, criminal record checks, lease agreements, tax documents, and verification of lawful presence for each principal.
• Zoning and Location Requirements: There are often restrictions on the proximity of alcohol-selling establishments to schools, churches, or playgrounds.
• Insurance: Businesses that serve alcohol on-site usually need liquor liability insurance or general liability insurance.
• Public Notice: In some cases, applicants may be required to notify neighbours, post notices on their premises, or publish announcements in local newspapers.
• Investigation and Approval: The relevant authorities will investigate the business and the applicant to ensure they meet the necessary qualifications and comply with zoning laws. This process can take anywhere from 30 to 120 days or longer.
• Renewal and Fees: Liquor licenses typically need to be renewed annually, and there are associated fees that vary depending on the type of license and the location of the business.

State-Specific Examples:

Each state has its own set of laws and regulations regarding alcohol licenses. For example:

• South Carolina: South Carolina has a 3-tier system for liquor licenses, including retail, wholesale, and manufacturing/importing licenses. The cost of a liquor license in the state ranges from $300 to $1000, and the application process can take 40 days to six months.
• North Carolina: During a state of emergency, the Governor of North Carolina has the discretion to order the closing of ABC stores and the cessation of alcohol sales, transportation, manufacture, and bottling. However, this power is rarely exercised.

In conclusion, alcohol licenses and permits are an essential aspect of the beverage industry, and businesses must carefully navigate the application process and comply with the specific regulations in their state to legally sell alcohol.

Minimum drinking age

The legal drinking age is the minimum age at which a person can legally consume alcoholic beverages. The minimum age at which alcohol can be legally consumed may differ from the age at which it can be purchased in some countries. These laws vary between countries, and many have exceptions or special circumstances. Most laws apply only to drinking alcohol in public places, with alcohol consumption in the home being mostly unregulated. One of the exceptions is England and Wales, which have a minimum legal age of five for supervised consumption in private places.

The majority of countries have a minimum legal drinking age of 18. However, the minimum legal drinking age in the United States is 21. The two exceptions are Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, where the age is 18.

In the United States, the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 requires all states and territories to have a minimum purchasing age of 21 or lose ten percent of their federal highway funding. The act does not apply to the age of alcohol consumption, meaning states may allow alcohol consumption by those under 21 years of age without penalty.

Some states do not allow those under the legal drinking age to be present in liquor stores or bars. Only a few states prohibit minors and young adults from consuming alcohol in private settings.

In addition to the minimum drinking age, there are laws in place to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors. For example, in California, it is illegal for any person to sell, furnish, give, or cause to be sold, furnished, or given away any alcoholic beverage to any person under the age of 21 years. This includes both on-premises and off-premises sales.

Alcohol type or content

The type and content of alcohol that can be purchased vary across different states in the U.S.

In California, alcohol can be sold up to 60% ABV. Alcohol with higher ABV content is sold in drugstores or pharmacies. In Mississippi, beer can only be purchased between 10 am and 10 pm from Monday to Saturday, and alcohol sales are outlawed on Sundays and Christmas Day.

In Alabama, alcohol sales are banned in several counties known as dry counties. Twenty-six of Alabama's 67 counties do not allow alcohol sales, but possession and consumption are still legal. However, 23 of these 26 dry counties have at least one "wet" city, making them "moist" dry counties.

In Arizona, there are no restrictions on the type of alcohol that can be sold, and sales are permitted from 6 am to 2 am every day of the year. Arizona also allows persons 18 years or older to work in bars and liquor stores.

In Pennsylvania, beer is the easiest alcoholic beverage to obtain, as it can be sold in various places, including beer distributors, bottle shops, bars, grocery stores, and breweries. However, the amount that can be sold depends on the type of license the establishment has.

In North Carolina, the governor has the authority to order the closing of ABC stores and the cessation of alcohol sales, transportation, manufacture, and bottling during a state of emergency. However, this power is discretionary and has rarely been exercised in the past 25 years.

Day of the week

The ability to buy beer in a state of emergency depends on the day of the week, the time of day, and the state in which you are located.

In the United States, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution grants each state and territory the power to regulate intoxicating liquors within their jurisdiction. As such, laws pertaining to the production, sale, distribution, and consumption of alcohol vary significantly across the country.

Some states restrict the times of day when retailers can sell beer. For example, in Mississippi, you can only buy beer between 10 am and 10 pm from Monday to Saturday, and alcohol sales are prohibited on Sundays and Christmas Day.

In addition to state laws, local jurisdictions can also pass their own alcohol laws. For example, in some places, you can get a "legal turducken": a wet city in a dry county in a wet state. This means that even if the state allows alcohol sales, your particular city or county may not.

To complicate matters further, state liquor laws can change at any time. So, while you may be able to buy beer on a particular day of the week during a state of emergency in one state, that doesn't mean the same will be true in another state or even in the same state a few months down the line.

To ensure that you are complying with the law, it is essential to check the specific alcohol purchasing hours and regulations in your state and local jurisdiction. This information can usually be found on your state or local liquor authority website.

Frequently asked questions