Quebec's Early Beer Buying: What's The Earliest Legal Time?

If you're planning to buy beer in Quebec, it's important to be aware of the province's alcohol laws. While the legal drinking age in Quebec is 18, the sale of alcohol is restricted to specific hours. Beer can be purchased from 7 am to 11 pm daily at convenience stores or dépanneurs, and liquor is typically available from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday, at the SAQ (Societe d’Alcool du Quebec), with extended hours until 9 pm on Thursdays and Fridays at certain locations. These laws were simplified in 2018 to make it easier for restaurateurs to operate, and they vary slightly from other provinces in Canada, which have a mix of public and private channels for alcohol sales.

Beer can be bought from 7 am in Quebec

This change in the law also allows for other new alcohol-related freedoms. For example, it is now permitted to consume alcohol in restaurants without ordering food, and alcoholic beverages can be consumed in common areas of lodging establishments, such as hotel lobbies. Parents can also now drink alcohol on a terrace with their children until 10 pm.

Quebec has quite specific rules about the sale of alcohol. Beer and a limited selection of wine are sold in supermarkets and convenience stores, but liquor and most wine are only available through the province's liquor corporation, the SAQ (Société des Alcools du Québec). The SAQ is a government corporation, and in 2018-2019, it sold nearly 14,350 products, with sales of almost $3.294 billion. The SAQ usually operates from 9 am-5 pm, Monday to Saturday, and until 9 pm on Thursdays and Fridays at some locations.

The minimum age to buy alcohol in Quebec is 18. It is illegal for anyone under 18 to buy alcohol for themselves or anyone else, and it is also illegal for an adult to buy alcohol for someone under 18.

Alcohol sales are prohibited from 11 pm to 7 am

The new legislation also introduced several other changes, including allowing alcohol consumption in restaurants without ordering food, and permitting parents to drink alcohol on a terrace with their children until 10 pm. It is important to note that Quebec has strict laws regarding underage drinking, and individuals under 18 are prohibited from purchasing or consuming alcohol in most situations.

The sale of alcohol in Quebec is regulated by the Régie des alcools des courses et des jeux (RACJ), which issues permits for the production, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages. The province's liquor corporation, the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ), is responsible for the retail sale of liquor and most wine, while beer and a limited selection of wine are sold in supermarkets and convenience stores.

These laws and regulations are essential to ensure the responsible sale and consumption of alcohol in Quebec, promoting public safety and health.

Beer can be bought at a convenience store

Quebec has specific rules around the sale of alcohol to minors. People under the age of 18 are not allowed to buy alcohol for themselves or another person, nor can they ask an adult to buy it for them. However, people under 18 are allowed to be in a bar before 10:00 p.m. if they are on a terrace and accompanied by a parent.

The Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ), or Quebec's liquor commission, sells liquor and most wine. Hard liquor can be purchased at the SAQ during their normal business hours, typically from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and until 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at certain locations.

Liquor is available at the SAQ

In Quebec, beer and a limited selection of wine can be purchased at supermarkets and convenience stores. However, liquor and most wine are available exclusively through the province's liquor corporation, the SAQ (Societe d’Alcool du Quebec). The SAQ is a government corporation responsible for selling alcoholic beverages, and its stores operate within specific hours. Typically, you can purchase liquor at the SAQ from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday, and certain locations offer extended hours until 9 pm on Thursdays and Fridays.

The SAQ plays a crucial role in Quebec's alcohol industry and has the exclusive primary distribution rights for all alcoholic beverages, except for certain exceptions like light cider and beer bottled within the province. In the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the SAQ sold approximately 14,350 products, generating nearly $3.294 billion in sales. This resulted in $1.146 billion in dividends paid to the Government of Quebec. The corporation's success extends beyond sales figures, as it also fosters the growth of local producers. In the same year, 145 businesses held small-scale production permits for winemaking, while the spirits sector boasted nearly 80 businesses with distiller's permits.

When it comes to purchasing liquor at the SAQ, it's important to be mindful of the legal drinking age in Quebec. While the law doesn't prohibit minors from consuming alcohol, purchasing it is restricted to those above the legal age. This means that the onus is on individuals under 18 and their parents to make informed decisions about drinking alcohol on special occasions. The SAQ, as a responsible retailer, adheres to these regulations and contributes to the province's efforts to promote safe and legal alcohol consumption.

The SAQ also ensures that the products it offers meet stringent quality and safety standards. All wines sold in Quebec, regardless of their origin, undergo laboratory testing in the SAQ's ISO 17025-certified facility. This laboratory conducts over 70,000 analyses annually, guaranteeing the quality of wines sold not only at SAQ stores but also in grocery and convenience stores. The SAQ's commitment to quality and safety extends beyond its products, as it also provides responsible consumption training for owners and directors of establishments serving alcohol.

Quebec's legal drinking age is 18

In Quebec, you can buy beer from 7 am at a convenience store or "dépanneur" and until 11 pm daily. Beer and a limited selection of wine are sold in supermarkets and convenience stores. Most grocery stores and convenience stores close at 11 pm because alcohol sales are prohibited after this time. However, at bars and restaurants, the deadline for alcohol sales is 3 am.

Liquor and most wine are available only through the province's liquor corporation, the SAQ (Société des Alcools du Québec). The SAQ is a government corporation responsible for selling alcoholic beverages. It holds exclusive primary distribution rights in Quebec for all alcoholic beverages, except for light cider, beer bottled in Quebec, and imported beer distributed by a permit holder. The SAQ's normal operating hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday, and until 9 pm on Thursdays and Fridays at certain locations.

Quebec has specific laws regarding alcohol consumption for minors. People under 18 are not allowed to be in a bar unless accompanied by a parent before 10 pm on a terrace. They are also permitted to be in reserved rooms or terraces if they are attending an event. Additionally, minors can go to certain places that sell alcohol, such as theatres, amphitheatres, sports centres, or microbreweries, but they cannot drink alcohol in these places.

Frequently asked questions