Buying Beer On Sundays In Kansas' Cowley County

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States, with a long history of prohibition. While the state is no longer dry, there are still some dry counties where on-premises liquor sales are prohibited. Cowley County is not dry, but it does have specific regulations around alcohol sales. So, can you buy beer on a Sunday in Cowley County, Kansas?

Beer sales are prohibited on Sundays before 9 a.m

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States. The state prohibited the sale of alcohol from 1881 to 1948, and continued to prohibit general on-premises liquor sales until 1987.

In 2023, Kansas had one dry county where on-premises liquor sales were prohibited, but the sale of 3.2% beer was permitted. The state's alcohol laws have been gradually relaxed in recent years. For example, in 2019, the state allowed grocery and convenience stores to sell "full-strength" beer, with up to 6% alcohol.

The law requires cities and counties to modify their existing ordinances to authorise the Sunday morning sales if they wish. Several cities on the Kansas side of the Kansas City metro area have amended their laws to allow liquor sales on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In addition to the statewide restrictions, individual counties in Kansas can impose more restrictive hours for alcohol sales. For example, Cowley County may have different laws for alcohol sales than the default hours of sale in Kansas.

Beer sales are prohibited on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas

The sale of beer and alcohol in Kansas is prohibited on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The state's alcohol laws are among the strictest in the US, and it was the first state to constitutionally prohibit alcohol in 1881.

Kansas' alcohol laws have been gradually relaxed since the end of Prohibition in 1933. However, it was not until 1987 that the sale of liquor by the drink was permitted. The state's laws still prohibit the sale of alcohol on certain days, including the aforementioned holidays.

The sale of packaged beer is also prohibited on Sundays, although it can be sold between 6:00 a.m. and midnight, Monday through Saturday. Off-premise beer sales can be made from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sundays, and on-premise sales can be made from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Sundays.

The specific laws and regulations may differ depending on the city and county within Kansas. For example, in Cowley County, the sale of packaged liquor and beer is prohibited on Sundays, although some cities in the state have amended their laws to allow Sunday morning liquor sales.

Beer can be sold in original packaging only

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States. The sale of beer and alcohol was prohibited in the state before 9 am on Sundays—a vestige of Kansas' alcohol regulations that date back to the 1880s when it became the first state to constitutionally prohibit alcohol. In 2021, Governor Laura Kelly signed a bill allowing the sale of beer and alcohol to begin at 9 am on Sundays.

In Kansas, beer can be sold in its original packaging only. Licensed, off-premise locations in Kansas can sell beer in its original packaging from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 11 pm, and on Sundays from 9 am to 8 pm. On-premise locations can sell beer any day from 9 am to 2 am.

The state's alcohol laws vary from county to county. Cowley County, for example, follows the default hours of sale in Kansas. Under Kansas state law, the sale of packaged liquor and beer is prohibited on Sundays. Packaged liquor may be sold between 9 am and 11 pm from Monday to Saturday, while packaged beer (up to 4% alcohol by volume) may be sold between 6 am and midnight, Monday through Saturday.

Kansas has a total of 105 counties, which are divided into three categories: 30% food sales requirement, no food sales requirement, and no alcohol by the drink. 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.

Growlers must be filled and sealed by the original manufacturer

Kansas has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States, and the sale of alcohol in the state is highly regulated. While Kansas is not a dry state, it does have one dry county where on-premises liquor sales are prohibited, but the sale of 3.2% beer is allowed.

In terms of beer sales, the laws vary depending on the day of the week and the type of location. Off-premise beer sales can be made Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 11 pm, and on Sundays from 9 am to 8 pm. On-premise beer sales can be made any day from 9 am to 2 am. These regulations apply to bars, restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, liquor stores, and breweries or taprooms.

Now, let's focus on the topic of growlers. A growler is a container for beer or other beverages that is typically made of glass or stainless steel and is sealed to keep the contents fresh. In Kansas, there are specific rules pertaining to the sale and purchase of growlers. According to Kansas law, any beer purchased in the state must be in its original packaging. This means that if you want to buy a growler, it must be filled and sealed by the original manufacturer. Licensed beer distributors are only permitted to sell products in their original packaging. Therefore, if you wish to buy a growler in Kansas, you must go to the brewery or manufacturer directly and have them fill and seal the container. This ensures that the beer meets the state's packaging and regulatory requirements.

The requirement for growlers to be filled and sealed by the original manufacturer is in place to maintain the quality and integrity of the beer. Beer is a perishable product, and filling and sealing growlers on-site at the brewery helps ensure that the beer has been handled and stored properly. This also allows breweries to have control over the filling process, ensuring that the beer is packaged correctly and safely for consumption. Additionally, by requiring growlers to be filled by the original manufacturer, Kansas helps support local breweries and businesses. This encourages residents and visitors to explore the state's craft beer scene and promotes the growth of local breweries.

It's important to note that the laws regarding growlers may vary from state to state, and it's always a good idea to check the specific regulations in your area. In Kansas, the requirement for growlers to be filled and sealed by the original manufacturer ensures compliance with the state's alcohol regulations and promotes the local beer industry. This unique aspect of Kansas' alcohol laws is just one example of how the state's historical relationship with alcohol continues to shape its modern legislation.

Minors can drink beer with parental supervision

In Cowley County, Kansas, the sale of packaged beer is prohibited on Sundays. Packaged beer (up to 4% alcohol by volume) may be sold between 6:00 a.m. and midnight, Monday through Saturday.

In Kansas, the legal drinking age is 21. However, there are two exceptions where minors can drink alcohol with parental supervision:

• Cereal Malt Beverage (CMB): According to the Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS), minors under 21 can consume CMB with an alcohol content of up to 3.2% if it is provided by a parent or legal guardian and under their supervision. CMBs are defined as "any fermented but undistilled liquor brewed or made from malt or a malt substitute."
• Religious Context: Kansas law permits minors to drink wine for sacramental purposes in a religious context if provided by a parent or legal guardian.

It is important to note that these are the only exceptions, and purchasing alcohol for minors, even if they are your children, is illegal in all other circumstances. Kansas has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking, and providing alcohol to minors can result in legal consequences, including a minimum fine of $200.

Frequently asked questions