Evening Beer Run: Age Restrictions Apply

The legal age to buy beer varies across the world. In the United States, the minimum drinking age is 21, and federal alcohol restrictions apply to all states. However, territories like the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico have retained an age limit of 18. In Sweden, the legal drinking age is 18, but individuals cannot purchase beer until they turn 20. In Texas, beer cannot be sold before noon on Sundays, and liquor sales are prohibited on that day. Alabama also has unique laws, with a 6% ABV cap on beer sales and a limit of 16 ounces per bottle.

Until you're 21 in the US

In the United States, you must be 21 years old to buy beer. This is not a federal rule, but a rule set by each individual state. While each state has set the legal drinking age to 21, they have different definitions of what an alcoholic beverage is, and different rules depending on whether you can buy non-alcoholic beer under 21 or consume non-alcoholic beer under 21.

In many states, minors cannot purchase alcohol, but they are able to consume it under certain conditions, such as whether they are doing so under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or spouse, who is over the age of 21.

The laws surrounding the purchase and consumption of non-alcoholic beverages for minors vary across state lines. In some states, minors are allowed to buy and drink non-alcoholic beers, while in others, they need to be over 21. In addition to state laws, counties and cities can modify age restrictions, and stores may also have their own stricter policies.

Some states that may allow minors to buy and drink non-alcoholic beers include Alaska, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. However, it's important to check the local laws and regulations as they can vary within a state.

Even though non-alcoholic beer is defined as containing less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) in the United States, some states still classify and regulate non-alcoholic beers as alcoholic beverages.

Until 10 pm in Mississippi

In Mississippi, you can't buy beer until 10 pm because that's when package stores (off-premises sales) stop selling alcoholic beverages from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, you can't buy beer at all, as package stores are not allowed to open on that day or on Christmas Day.

The hours for selling alcoholic beverages in Mississippi are quite restrictive, with package stores only allowed to operate from 10 am to 10 pm, Monday through Saturday. This means that you can't purchase beer or other alcoholic drinks outside of those hours, except in certain areas where the hours may be extended or restricted. For example, in some counties, on-premises sales of alcoholic beverages are allowed until midnight, while in others, they may be restricted to as early as 7 pm.

The laws regarding alcohol sales in Mississippi can be quite complicated and vary across the state. While you can generally buy beer for off-premise consumption 24/7, the specific hours for on-premise sales and package store operations may differ depending on the county and local regulations. Additionally, there are still dry counties in Mississippi where the sale and consumption of alcohol are prohibited.

Until noon on Sundays in Texas

Texas has some unique laws regarding the sale of alcohol, which can be confusing, especially for those who are not from the state. These laws are referred to as "blue laws" and are based on historical practices that persist into the modern era, reflecting the state's cultural and religious heritage.

In Texas, you can't buy beer until noon on Sundays. This restriction is part of the state's blue laws, which prohibit the sale of liquor on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day, with additional restrictions on beer and wine sales.

Monday to Friday:

• Beer and wine: 7:00 AM to midnight in grocery and convenience stores.
• Liquor: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM in liquor stores.

Saturday:

• Beer and wine: 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM.
• Liquor: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Sunday:

• Beer and wine: 10:00 AM to midnight. Beer and wine sales were previously prohibited until noon but were changed to 10:00 AM in 2021.
• Liquor: Sales are prohibited on Sundays in Texas. Liquor stores must remain closed.

These laws are enforced by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), which writes specific regulations to enforce Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) laws. Texas has multiple types of liquor licenses and permits, each with its own rules, adding to the complexity of the state's alcohol laws.

It's important to note that Texas's blue laws have been a topic of debate, with proponents arguing that they maintain community standards and values, while opponents view them as outdated restrictions on modern commerce. While many original blue laws have been repealed, restrictions on alcohol and automobile sales remain.

Until 2 am in Alaska

In Alaska, you can buy beer every day of the week, with bars, restaurants, breweries, and liquor stores selling beer and liquor from 8 a.m. to 5 a.m. However, most counties enforce shorter hours, with many bars closing at 2 a.m.

While Alaska state law allows bars to remain open until 5 a.m., many communities have implemented earlier closing times, typically around 2 a.m. This means that, in most parts of Alaska, you won't be able to buy beer after 2 a.m.

The closing times in Alaska are among the most lenient in the United States, offering almost 24-hour access to alcohol. However, there are also many dry and "moist" towns and villages in Alaska, where the sale and consumption of alcohol are restricted or prohibited.

Additionally, Alaska has specific regulations regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol, such as prohibiting open containers in vehicles and public places outside bars and restaurants.

Until you're 18 in Sweden

In Sweden, you have to be 18 to buy low-alcoholic beer (under 3.5% ABV) in regular stores, and 20 to buy stronger alcoholic beverages in government-owned Systembolaget stores. The minimum drinking age in bars and restaurants is 18, but some establishments may set their own age limit at 20 or 25.

Systembolaget is a chain of liquor stores run by the Swedish government with a monopoly on the sales of all alcohol stronger than 3.5% ABV. The company's main objective is to lower alcohol-related deaths and diseases, rather than to maximize profits. As such, Systembolaget never runs any special promotions or favors specific brands.

Beer in Sweden is divided into three classes based on alcohol content:

• Class I (up to 2.25% ABV): Sold without restrictions, although shops often set their own age restrictions.
• Class II (2.25–3.5% ABV): Sold in regular stores with a minimum purchase age of 18.
• Class III (over 3.5% ABV): Sold only in Systembolaget stores to individuals aged 20 or older.

Licensed restaurants and bars in Sweden are allowed to sell alcohol to patrons aged 18 or older between 11 a.m. and 1 a.m. Local authorities may extend these hours.

Frequently asked questions