Buying Beer On Fourth Of July: What's The Deal?

As Americans get ready to celebrate Independence Day, many will be stocking up on beer, wine, and spirits. While the majority of states don't impose restrictions on selling alcohol during Independence Day, there are some exceptions. For example, in Alabama, all liquor stores will be closed except for two specific stores. In Utah, you have to order food with your drinks, and in Kentucky, a lot of areas are dry counties where buying alcohol is illegal. So, while you can generally buy beer on the Fourth of July, it's worth checking the local laws to make sure.

Beer can be purchased on the Fourth of July in Texas

If you're in Texas and planning to celebrate the Fourth of July with a beer, you're in luck! Texas law allows for retail alcohol sales on Independence Day, and there are no state-mandated restrictions on sales on that date. This includes beer, wine, and liquor.

Texas liquor stores are closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. However, since the Fourth of July falls on a Thursday in 2024, you will be able to purchase alcohol from liquor and package stores.

Texas grocery stores can obtain a permit to sell wine and malt beverage products with an alcohol content of up to 17% ABV. You can buy alcohol from grocery and convenience stores from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, sales are permitted from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday morning, and then on Sundays from 10 a.m. to midnight. Hours for liquor stores are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

While Texas does not have any state-wide restrictions on alcohol sales for the Fourth of July, it's always a good idea to double-check the hours of your local store, as some may choose to close or close early for the holiday. Additionally, remember to celebrate responsibly and plan for a safe ride home if you need one.

Beer can be purchased in grocery stores in some states

In California, beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased at grocery stores, but only beer and wine are sold in grocery stores. In Colorado, beer and wine can be purchased in grocery stores. In Connecticut, liquor stores are not required to be open on the Fourth of July, but they can open for celebration sales. In Delaware, no alcohol can be purchased at grocery stores.

In Florida, beer and wine can be purchased in grocery stores. The same goes for Georgia. In Hawaii, liquor, beer, and wine are sold in grocery stores. In Idaho, only beer and wine are sold in grocery stores. In Illinois, liquor, beer, and wine are sold in grocery stores. Indiana also permits the sale of liquor, beer, and wine in grocery stores. Iowa also permits the sale of liquor, beer, and wine in grocery stores.

In Kansas, only beer is sold in grocery stores. In Kentucky, only beer is sold in grocery stores. In Louisiana, alcoholic beverages can be purchased in grocery stores, but it is subject to individual town and Parrish regulations. In Maine, liquor, beer, and wine are sold in grocery stores. In Maryland, a small number of individual stores are grandfathered in under a 1978 law, but otherwise, all alcohol sales in Maryland are restricted to liquor stores.

In Michigan, beer, wine, and liquor can all be purchased at grocery stores. In Minnesota, gas stations and convenience stores are only allowed to sell beer with an ABV of 3.2% or less. Elsewhere, there are no such regulations. In Mississippi, only beer sales are allowed in convenience stores. In Missouri, there are no restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages in grocery stores. In Montana, grocery stores are restricted to beer and wine sales.

In Nebraska, beer, wine, and alcohol are sold in grocery stores. In Nevada, all forms of alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at grocery stores, convenience stores, and liquor stores. In New Hampshire, grocery stores are restricted to beer and wine sales. In New Jersey, grocery stores can sell beer, wine, and low-proof drinks if properly permitted to do so. In New Mexico, beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased at grocery stores.

In New York, grocery and convenience stores can sell beer and "wine products," but all other sales are restricted to licensed liquor stores. In North Carolina, only beer and wine are available for purchase at grocery stores and convenience stores. In North Dakota, alcohol can be purchased in grocery stores. In Ohio, grocery stores can sell beer, wine, and low-proof drinks if properly permitted to do so. In Oklahoma, grocery stores sell beer and wine.

In Oregon, grocery stores must be open between 12 pm and 6 pm, but they can choose to be open from 7 am to 10 pm, and on Sundays and legal holidays, hours of operation can vary from store to store. In Pennsylvania, grocery and convenience stores set their own hours to sell alcohol. In Rhode Island, alcohol can only be purchased in grocery stores in the city of Newport in restricted circumstances. In South Carolina, grocery stores can sell beer and wine only.

In South Dakota, state law permits grocery stores to obtain licenses to sell any type of alcohol for off-premises consumption. In Tennessee, only beer and wine are sold in grocery stores. In Texas, grocery stores can obtain a permit to sell wine and malt beverage products with an alcohol content of up to 17% ABV. In Utah, wine is not permitted for sale in grocery and convenience stores. In Vermont, grocery stores sell alcoholic beverages.

In Virginia, licensed retailers can sell beer and wine between 6 am and midnight. In Washington, grocery stores sell alcoholic beverages. In West Virginia, there are 182 retail liquor outlets, and some are grocery stores. In Wisconsin, grocery stores sell alcohol. In Wyoming, it depends on the license held by the grocery store. If they hold a retail liquor license, they can sell spirits, wines, and malt beverages. If they hold a County Malt Beverage Permit, they are restricted to malt beverages only.

Beer can be purchased in liquor stores in some states

Beer is widely available for purchase on the Fourth of July in the United States, but the laws surrounding alcohol sales vary from state to state. While most states don't impose restrictions on selling alcohol on Independence Day, it's worth noting that some states and counties have unique regulations.

In Texas, for example, liquor stores are generally open on Independence Day, as they only observe closures on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Beer and wine can be sold from 7 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.

In Alabama, liquor stores may be closed on the Fourth of July, except for specific locations in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Grocery stores in Alabama can sell wine with alcohol content below 14% and beer with an alcohol content under 6%.

In Alaska, there are no restrictions on purchasing alcohol on the Fourth of July, but Happy Hours are not typically legal, and alcohol cannot be sold at a discounted price.

In Arizona, alcohol can be purchased on the Fourth of July, but it is prohibited on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

In California, there are no restrictions on buying alcohol on Independence Day, and alcoholic beverages can be purchased at grocery stores, including beer, wine, and liquor.

While beer can be purchased on the Fourth of July in most states, it's always a good idea to check the specific laws and regulations of your state and local area, as some counties may have unique restrictions. Additionally, while liquor stores may be open, it's worth noting that some privately-owned shops may choose to close or adjust their hours for the holiday.

Beer cannot be purchased in some dry towns or counties

In the United States, a dry county is a county whose local government forbids the sale of any kind of alcoholic beverages. Some prohibit off-premises sales, some prohibit on-premises sales, and some prohibit both. While most counties now permit the sale of alcohol in at least some circumstances, some dry counties remain, mostly in the Southern United States.

There are also smaller jurisdictions, such as cities, towns, and townships, that prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages and are known as dry cities, dry towns, or dry townships. These dry jurisdictions can be contrasted with “wet” jurisdictions, in which alcohol sales are allowed and regulated, and “moist” jurisdictions, in which some sales of alcohol are permitted, or a dry county contains wet cities.

As of 2004, there were about 500 municipalities in the United States that were dry, including 83 in Alaska. Here is a list of some of the dry counties and cities in the United States:

Dry Counties

• Arkansas: 34 out of 75 counties are dry.
• Florida: Three counties in the northern part of the state are dry: Liberty County, Lafayette County, and Suwannee County.
• Mississippi: 36 out of 82 counties were dry or partially dry before the state repealed alcoholic prohibition in 2021.
• Tennessee: Moore County, the home of Jack Daniel's whiskey, is a dry county.
• Texas: Four out of 254 counties are completely dry, 195 are partially dry, and 55 are entirely wet.

Dry Cities

• South Holland, Illinois: Bans the sale of alcohol by not issuing licenses for businesses to sell alcohol.
• Panaca, Nevada: Nevada's only dry municipality, due to being grandfathered into state law.
• Ephraim, Wisconsin: The only dry municipality in Wisconsin until 2016, when it allowed off-site beer and on-site wine sales.
• Fircrest, Washington: Until 2015, it was the last dry community on the west coast of the contiguous United States.

While there are no widespread restrictions on July 4 alcohol sales in the U.S., there aren’t too many restrictions on July 4 alcohol sales in the U.S., unless you’re located in a “dry” town or county. Therefore, if you plan to purchase beer on the Fourth of July, it is important to check if you are in a dry county or town, as beer cannot be purchased in these areas.

Beer can be purchased in Alabama, but with restrictions on labelling

Beer lovers in Alabama can rejoice as they will be able to purchase their favourite beverage on the Fourth of July. However, it is important to note that there are certain restrictions in place. While you can buy beer, the labelling on the beverage cannot include any "person(s) posed in an immodest or sensuous manner". These types of advertisements are considered illegal in Alabama. So, while you can enjoy a cold beer on Independence Day, be mindful of the restrictions on the labelling of the beer you purchase.

In Alabama, liquor stores do not have to be open on the Fourth of July, but they are allowed to open for celebration sales. So, if you're planning to buy beer on this day, it's a good idea to check with your local store about their operating hours. On regular days, alcohol can be served from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, according to the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

It's worth noting that Alabama is not the only state with unique restrictions on alcohol sales. For instance, in Indiana, businesses selling alcoholic drinks must also provide food service for at least 25 people at all times. And in Utah, you are required to order food with your drinks. Knowing the local laws around alcohol sales is important, especially when planning for a holiday like the Fourth of July.

While most states allow alcohol sales on Independence Day, there are a few exceptions. For example, in Kentucky, many areas are "dry counties", which means the sale of alcohol is illegal. Similarly, in Lynchburg, Moore County, Tennessee, where Jack Daniels is produced, the sale of alcohol is prohibited. So, if you're travelling to these areas for the Fourth of July, be aware of these restrictions.

Overall, while you can generally purchase beer in Alabama on the Fourth of July, be mindful of the labelling restrictions and check with your local stores about their operating hours.

Frequently asked questions