Maryland's Early Beer Buying: Legal Hours And Age

Maryland has some unique laws regarding the sale of alcohol, including when and where you can buy it, that differ from those of its neighbouring states. These laws vary by county, due to the wide latitude of home rule granted to Maryland counties. In this paragraph, we will explore the laws in Maryland that govern when you can buy beer.

In Maryland, you can buy beer from package stores and private retailers, bars, and restaurants any day of the week from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. However, some counties enforce stricter laws and restrict Sunday sales or shorten the hours permitted to sell alcohol. Additionally, Maryland does not allow grocery stores and convenience stores to sell alcohol, and you must be over 21 to purchase it.

Where to buy beer in Maryland

Maryland has some unique laws regarding the sale of alcohol, including beer. In Maryland, you can only buy beer from free-standing, non-chain stores, and only Maryland residents can obtain an alcohol sales permit. This means that large chain stores like Costco, BJ's, and Sam's Club do not sell beer.

However, there are a handful of chain grocery stores that are exceptions to this rule, including the Giant grocery store in White Oak, Montgomery County. This is due to a 1978 law that grandfathered in certain chain stores, allowing them to sell beer and wine.

You can also buy beer online in Maryland through websites like Drizly, which partners with stand-alone liquor stores to deliver beer to your door. However, this is subject to county regulations and restrictions.

Additionally, Maryland has specific laws regarding the hours and days that beer can be sold. In most counties, beer can be purchased from Monday to Saturday from 6 am to 2 am, while Sunday sales vary. Some counties, like Baltimore and Prince George's County, do not allow beer sales on Sundays at all.

So, if you're looking to buy beer in Maryland, your best bet is to head to a dedicated liquor store or a stand-alone alcohol shop, especially if you're looking to purchase on a Sunday.

Can you buy beer at grocery stores?

Maryland has some unique laws regarding when and where you can buy alcohol, which are quite different from those in neighbouring states.

Most grocery stores in Maryland are not permitted to sell alcohol of any kind due to a 1978 statewide prohibition. However, a handful of chain stores are among the exceptions, permitted to sell beer and wine under a grandfather clause. These include certain locations of Costco, BJ's, and Sam's Club.

The law exists to protect small "mom and pop" liquor stores from the competition of large supermarket chains.

There is a movement to bring beer and wine to Maryland supermarket shelves, with advocates launching a statewide campaign to get lawmakers in Annapolis to allow beer and wine sales in grocery and convenience stores. The Maryland Retailers Association told FOX 5 that over 50,000 people have called on lawmakers to make the change.

Beer and wine can be purchased at freestanding alcohol stores, though this varies by county. In some counties, including Baltimore and Prince George's County, retail alcohol sales are not allowed on Sundays. Beer and wine can also be purchased online through sites like Drizly, though this is subject to county regulations and restrictions.

Can you buy beer at gas stations?

In Maryland, you cannot buy beer at gas stations.

Maryland has some unique laws regarding when and where you can buy alcohol. These laws are quite different from those in neighbouring states like Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Current Maryland law restricts the sale of alcohol to free-standing, non-chain stores, with licensing restricted to Maryland residents. This means that gas stations, grocery stores, and chain stores like wholesale clubs are prohibited from selling beer, wine, and spirits.

However, there are a handful of grandfathered-in chains that are permitted to sell beer and wine, subject to individual county laws.

There have been attempts to change Maryland's restrictive laws regarding the sale of alcohol in convenience stores and gas stations. For example, Senate Bill 763 and House Bill 996 sought to expand licensing to permit the sale of beer and wine in food retail stores, convenience stores, and gas stations that met specific food standards. These bills, however, did not pass.

Support for expanded locations for the purchase of alcohol in Maryland is growing, with polls showing that support for this change grew from 63% in 2012 to 73% in 2020.

Can you buy beer on a Sunday?

The laws regarding the purchase of beer on a Sunday vary across different counties in Maryland. While most Maryland counties don't allow off-premise alcohol sales on Sundays, some counties do permit Sunday sales within a specific time frame. For instance, in Baltimore City, a Class B and C licensee may sell alcoholic beverages at a bar or counter on Sundays. In Anne Arundel County, licensees can sell alcoholic beverages on any day and at any time that the sale of alcohol is permitted by law. In Baltimore County, a Class B and C licensee may sell alcoholic beverages at a bar or counter on Sundays. In Washington County, a Class A, B, and C licensee can sell alcoholic beverages on Sundays from 12 noon to 12 midnight.

However, several counties, such as Prince George's and Baltimore, do not permit the retail sale of alcohol on Sundays. Therefore, it is advisable to check the local laws and the operating hours of specific stores before heading out to buy beer on a Sunday in Maryland.

Can you buy beer online?

Yes, it is possible to buy beer online in Maryland, but there are some restrictions in place. While Maryland has some unique laws regarding alcohol purchase and consumption, residents can still take advantage of online alcohol delivery services.

Through third-party services like Instacart, Drizly, and Minibar Delivery, Marylanders can have beer, wine, and liquor delivered right to their door. However, these services are subject to county laws and regulations, and delivery availability may vary depending on your location within the state. For example, some counties, like Baltimore and Prince George's County, do not allow retail alcohol sales on Sundays, which would include online deliveries.

When receiving an alcohol delivery in Maryland, you will need to provide proof of age and identity by showing a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license, military ID, state-issued ID card, or passport. The minimum age to purchase alcohol in Maryland is 21, and delivery services will not deliver to anyone who is visibly intoxicated.

It's worth noting that Maryland has specific laws regarding where alcohol can be purchased, with a statewide prohibition in place since 1978 that restricts the sale of alcohol in chain grocery stores, wholesale clubs, and convenience stores. However, a limited number of chain stores have been granted permission through a grandfather clause in the law, allowing them to sell beer and wine.

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