Kansas Beer Laws: Labor Day Shopping

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 general on-premises liquor sales until 1987. So, what are the laws regarding the sale of beer in Kansas on Labor Day?

Kansas has strict alcohol laws

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

Kansas has a three-tier liquor distribution system, where alcohol is distributed from manufacturer to distributor to retailer. There are some exceptions, including farm wineries and microbreweries, which can sell directly to consumers. Off-premises liquor sales are only permitted in licensed liquor stores. Grocery stores and gas stations are only allowed to sell beer, and in the case of gas stations, only beer with an ABV of less than 6%.

There are also strict rules regarding the sale of alcohol on Sundays and public holidays. Alcohol cannot be sold on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Local counties that sell alcohol on Sundays are not permitted to do so after 8 pm.

The sale of alcohol is only permitted between 9 am and 11 pm in Kansas. Liquor stores must be located in a zoned commercial area and cannot be within 200 feet of a school, college, or church. They can now sell any products as long as they do not exceed 20% of the retailer's gross sales.

Kansas also has strict laws regarding the purchase of alcohol. Only those aged 21 and over are permitted to buy alcohol, and it is illegal to have a blood alcohol level of more than 0.02%.

Beer can be bought in gas stations

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States. The state had a long period of prohibition, lasting from 1881 to 1948, and continued to prohibit general on-premises liquor sales until 1987.

In Kansas, you can buy beer at bars and restaurants, grocery stores, liquor stores, and breweries or taprooms. However, grocery stores and gas stations are only permitted to sell beer below a certain ABV.

Kansas has a three-tier liquor distribution system, where alcohol is distributed from manufacturer to distributor to retailer. The only exceptions are farm wineries and microbreweries, which can sell directly to the consumer, and establishments may purchase beer and bulk wine directly from wholesalers.

The days and hours that beer can be sold are also restricted in Kansas. 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 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. any day. Additionally, there is no selling of alcohol on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Liquor stores are permitted to sell beer

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States. The state had a long period of prohibition, lasting from 1881 to 1948, and continued to prohibit general on-premises liquor sales until 1987.

Kansas law prohibits the sale of alcoholic liquor or CMB on certain holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. However, a city or county can impose different, more restrictive hours via ordinance or resolution.

In addition to liquor stores, beer can be purchased at various locations throughout the state, including bars and restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, and breweries or taprooms. It's important to note that gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores can only sell beer with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 6% or less.

The state's complex alcohol regulations are enforced by the Kansas Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, reflecting the lingering impact of its long history of prohibition.

Kansas has dry counties

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

As of March 2023, Kansas has one dry county, where on-premises liquor sales are prohibited, but the sale of 3.2% beer is permitted. This county is Wallace County, which continues to prohibit any and all sales of liquor by the drink.

Kansas has a three-tier liquor distribution system, where alcohol is distributed from manufacturer to distributor to retailer. The only exceptions are farm wineries and microbreweries, which can sell directly to consumers, and establishments may purchase beer and bulk wine directly from wholesalers. Off-premises liquor sales are only permitted in licensed liquor stores, whereas grocery stores and gas stations may sell cereal malt beverages (CMB).

Kansas has detailed requirements for liquor store licensees, including citizenship, residency, and criminal history. All employees must be over the age of 21, and sales are prohibited between 11 pm and 9 am. No sales are allowed at less than cost, and stores may not provide entertainment, including pinball machines.

As of 2024, there are eight dry counties in Kansas, out of a total of 105: Meade, Gray, Haskell, Stanton, Wallace, Sheridan, Jewell, and Clay.

Drinking age in Kansas

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States. The state had a long period of prohibition, lasting from 1881 to 1948, and continued to prohibit general on-premises liquor sales until 1987. Kansas's strict approach to alcohol is a result of its history of prohibition.

In Kansas, the drinking age is 21. It is illegal for those under 21 to purchase or possess any type of alcohol, or to consume alcohol for anything other than religious or prescribed medicinal purposes. There is an exception to this rule, however, which allows people under 21 to drink 3.2% ABV beer if it is provided and supervised by their parent or guardian. This exemption was added to the Kansas statutes in 1992, with the phrase "and such beverage is furnished by the person's legal parent or guardian" added in 2004.

The state has a three-tier liquor distribution system, with alcohol being distributed from manufacturer to distributor to retailer. The only exceptions to this are farm wineries and microbreweries, which may sell directly to the consumer, and establishments, which may purchase beer and bulk wine directly from wholesalers. Off-premises liquor sales are only permitted in licensed liquor stores, while grocery stores and gas stations may sell cereal malt beverages (CMB) or beer, respectively.

Retail liquor stores have strict licensing requirements, including that the licensee must be a US citizen for 10 years, a resident of Kansas for 4 years, and be at least 21 years old. Sales are prohibited on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, unless the local government has voted to allow Sunday sales. In that case, sales are only prohibited on Easter Sunday, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. Sales are also prohibited between 11:00 PM and 9:00 AM, and retailers may not sell alcohol at a loss. All employees of licensed liquor stores must be at least 21 years old.

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