Where To Buy Beer: Age Limits And Legalities

The legal age to buy beer varies across the world. In the United States, the legal age to purchase beer and other alcoholic beverages is 21. This is true across all 50 states, although there are some exceptions in certain states. For example, in Ohio, you must be over 18 to buy non-alcoholic beer. In the Netherlands, the legal drinking age is 18. In the past, the legal drinking age in the US was lower, and in colonial times, there were no age restrictions on the purchase of alcohol.

State-specific regulations

Alabama

Beer and wine are not controlled by the state, but spirits are. On-premise and off-premise liquor sales are limited to 2 a.m. on Sundays, and beer and wine can be sold in supermarkets, while spirits cannot. Alcohol can be served 24 hours a day unless restricted by local ordinances, and 26 of Alabama's 67 counties prohibit the sale of alcohol, although possession and consumption remain legal. There is a 6% ABV cap on beer sales, and bottles cannot exceed 16 ounces. Wine also faces a 14.9% ABV limit.

Alaska

No alcohol is state-controlled in Alaska. On-premise and off-premise sales are permitted from 8 a.m. to 5 a.m. daily, and liquor sales are not allowed in grocery stores.

Arizona

Arizona does not have state-controlled alcohol sales. Sales are permitted from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day of the year. Drive-through liquor stores are legal.

Arkansas

Distribution in Arkansas is not state-controlled. On-premise sales vary by establishment type and hours, while off-premise sales are allowed from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Friday, but only until midnight on Saturdays. Beer and wine can be sold in supermarkets, but only in-state-produced wine is permitted, and spirits are prohibited. Arkansas has many dry counties, but private clubs are exempt from these restrictions. Sunday and Christmas Day sales are prohibited, except in some areas.

California

California does not control alcohol sales at the state level, and sales are allowed from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Wine, beer, and spirits can be sold in grocery stores, and counties can implement additional restrictions on top of state-level laws. The sale of alcohol above 76.5% ABV is illegal.

Colorado

Colorado does not control alcohol sales at the state level. On-premise sales are permitted from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., and off-premise sales are allowed from 8 a.m. to midnight. Only 3.2% ABV beer can be sold in grocery stores. Off-premise sales are allowed seven days a week. Liquor stores can only operate one location, and absinthe is legal.

Connecticut

Alcohol sales in Connecticut are not controlled by the state. On-premise sales are allowed from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Off-premise sales are permitted from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but are prohibited on Sundays and holidays. Beer can be sold in grocery stores.

Delaware

Delaware does not have state-controlled alcohol sales. On-premise sales are allowed from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily, and off-premise sales are permitted from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays, subject to local ordinances. Holiday sales are not allowed, nor is any off-premise sale outside of a licensed liquor store, taproom, or brewpub. Minors under 21 are not allowed in any off-premise licensed venues.

Florida

Florida does not control alcohol sales at the state level, and state law prohibits on-premise and off-premise sales between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m., unless the county decides to change these operating hours. For example, Miami-Dade County allows liquor stores to operate 24 hours a day. Beer, wine, and low-alcohol liquors can be purchased at grocery stores, but spirits above 76.5% ABV are illegal.

Georgia

Georgia has unique laws regarding alcohol sales. While sales are not controlled by the state, hours of sale are determined by each county. Beer with an ABV above 14% is illegal, and there are no off-premise sales on Sundays. Certain areas permit public consumption with limitations: one drink on the street, with a maximum size of 16 ounces, and drinking from a can, bottle, or glass is prohibited.

Hawaii

Alcohol sales in Hawaii are not state-controlled. On-premise sales with the proper cabaret licensing are allowed from 11:50 a.m. to 6 a.m., and off-premise sales are permitted from 11:50 a.m. to 12 a.m. Spirits, beer, and wine can be sold in grocery stores.

Idaho

Spirit sales are controlled by the state in Idaho. On-premise sales are allowed from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., and beer and wine can be sold in grocery stores. Beverages exceeding 16% ABV can only be sold in state dispensaries or contracted stores.

Illinois

Illinois does not have state-controlled alcohol sales, and local municipalities determine sales laws. On-premise sales are permitted from 6 a.m. to 4 a.m., and all beverages can be sold in grocery stores. Sunday sales are not allowed until 11 a.m.

Indiana

Alcohol sales in Indiana are not controlled by the state. On-premise sales are allowed from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Sundays. Off-premise sales are permitted from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m., but are prohibited on Sundays. Sales are also prohibited on Christmas, New Year's Day, and election day before the polls close. Alcohol can be sold in supermarkets.

Iowa

Iowa controls spirit sales at the state level. On-premise and off-premise sales are allowed from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays. Grocery stores are permitted to sell alcohol. All beer above 6% ABV must be shipped from the state warehouse.

Kansas

Kansas does not control liquor distribution but has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the nation. All alcohol was prohibited from 1881 to 1948, and on-premise sales were banned from 1881 to 1987. Sunday sales have only been permitted since 2005. In counties that allow on-premise sales, it is permitted from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., and off-premise sales are allowed from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 7 or 8 p.m. on Sundays. 29 counties do not allow on-premise sales, 59 counties only allow it if the establishment derives at least 30% of its profits from alcohol, and only 17 counties permit sales without restriction. Sales are prohibited on Memorial Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Only 3.2% ABV beer is available in grocery stores.

Kentucky

Kentucky, known for its whiskey, has complex alcohol laws. Sales are not state-controlled, and on-premise sales are allowed from 6 a.m. to 4 a.m., while off-premise sales are permitted from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Alcohol can be sold in grocery stores. Local ordinances vary, and only Louisville allows on-premise sales from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. While Sunday sales are permitted statewide, they can be overruled locally. 53 counties are completely dry, where even possession is illegal. 16 counties have some cities that allow sales, and another 21 counties only permit specialty sales, such as wine from wineries. Only 5 counties around the major cities fully allow sales.

Louisiana

Alcohol sales in Louisiana are not state-controlled, and there are no restrictions on on-premise or off-premise sales unless a municipality decides that on-premise sales must stop at 2 p.m. Off-premise sales are allowed in grocery stores and all other licensed stores, and these sales can be 24/7, and no municipality can challenge this. In New Orleans, you can drink alcohol in public, and if allowed by the bar, take your drinks from one bar to another. Many places allow the consumption of packaged beverages on the street, but this is up to the municipality. Most bars can be entered at 18, but you must be 21 to purchase and consume alcohol.

Maine

Maine controls spirit sales at the state level. On-premise hours are 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sundays. Beer and wine can be purchased in grocery stores, while wine with an ABV above 15.5% must be sold in state-contracted stores. Alcohol sales are not permitted after 1 a.m. any day.

Maryland

Alcohol laws in Maryland vary by locality, and sales are not controlled by the state. Some counties prohibit sales on Sundays, while others do not. Some areas restrict alcohol heavily, but there are no completely dry counties. Some alcohol is allowed to be sold in grocery stores, depending on the county.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts does not control alcohol distribution at the state level. On-premise sales are allowed from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. (2 a.m. in Boston). Off-premise sales are permitted from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday sales start at noon. Cities have the authority to shorten these times. Some convenience stores are licensed to sell beer, but not grocery stores or gas stations. Happy hours are prohibited, and customers can only purchase two drinks per individual at a time on-premise.

Michigan

Michigan controls spirit sales at the state level. On-premise and off-premise sales are allowed from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., and noon to 2 a.m. on Sundays. Any liquor can be sold at grocery stores and convenience stores, except for gas stations in Wayne County. Sales of liquor after 9 p.m. on December 24 and all of Christmas Day are prohibited. On New Year's Day, on-premise sales are allowed until 4 a.m.

Minnesota

Minnesota does not control alcohol sales at the state level. On-premise sales are permitted from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., and off-premise sales are allowed from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with no off-premise sales on Sundays. Local ordinances can modify off-sale hour allowances, and growler sales are allowed until 10 p.m.

Mississippi

Mississippi controls spirit distribution at the state level and has strict regulations. Beer can be sold in grocery stores, but wine above 6% ABV can only be sold in state-controlled stores. Sales are prohibited on Christmas Day, and there is no open container law in the state. You can get free alcohol 24/7 in coastal casinos. In most counties, Sunday sales are prohibited, and there are also some dry counties.

Missouri

Missouri has permissive alcohol laws. Alcohol sales are not state-controlled, and on-premise sales are allowed from 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Sundays. St. Louis and Kansas City, along with a few other counties, can operate from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily. Off-premise sales are permitted during the same hours, and bars in St. Louis and Kansas City can double as liquor stores, remaining open until 3 a.m. There are no state open container laws, blue laws (prohibiting sales on Sundays), public intoxication laws, or absinthe prohibition. There are no dry counties, and prohibiting off-premise sales is illegal. State laws override local laws. Grocery stores and gas stations can sell liquor, limited only by operating hours. Parents and guardians may provide their children with alcohol. There is no prohibition on consumption by minors, although purchase, possession, and intoxication by minors are illegal. Open containers are allowed in Kansas City's Power and Light District. Individuals may manufacture up to 100 gallons of liquor for personal use without state permits or taxes.

Montana

Montana controls spirits at the state level, but beer and wine below 16% ABV may be sold at grocery stores. Above that threshold, wine must be sold at state-controlled stores. On-premise sales are limited to 2 a.m.

Nebraska

Nebraska does not control alcohol sales at the state level. On-premise and off-premise sales are allowed from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., but hard liquor cannot be purchased on Sundays before noon. Omaha has repealed the Sunday hard alcohol law. All alcohol can be purchased in grocery stores.

Nevada

Nevada does not control alcohol distribution, and there are minimal laws beyond age restrictions. Stores can operate 24 hours a day, and liquor can be sold in grocery and convenience stores. Public intoxication is legal, and enacting local laws to change this is prohibited.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire controls spirit sales at the state level. On-premise sales are permitted from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., and off-premise sales are allowed until 11:45 p.m. Beer can be sold in grocery stores, but there is a 12% ABV cap for beer sold in the state. Liquor is sold in state-run stores, often located along highway rest areas.

New Jersey

Alcohol sales in New Jersey are not controlled by the state, and hours of sale are regulated by each municipality. Beer and wine can occasionally be sold in grocery stores. There are some dry counties, particularly in the southern part of the state.

New Mexico

Alcohol sales in New Mexico are not state-controlled. On-premise sales are allowed from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., and off-premise sales are permitted until midnight, except on Sundays, when no sales are permitted. Stores can apply for on-premise and off-premise licenses to allow Sunday sales if their municipality allows it, but sales on Christmas are never permitted. Alcohol can be sold in grocery stores. Parents, legal guardians, and adult spouses are allowed to provide minors with alcohol on private property under their control.

New York

Alcohol sales in New York are not state-controlled. On-premise sales are allowed from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. Off-premise beer sales are always available except from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Sundays, while wine and spirits can be sold from 9 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays. Beer can only be sold in supermarkets, and wine and spirits can only be purchased at liquor stores.

North Carolina

North Carolina controls spirit sales at the state level. On-premise sales are allowed at any time except from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 2 a.m. to noon on Sundays. Beer and wine can be sold in supermarkets, but only state-run stores can sell liquor, with hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. There is a 15% ABV limit on beer.

North Dakota

North Dakota does not control alcohol sales at the state level. On-premise sales are allowed from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 2 a.m. on Sundays. Off-premise sales appear to be permitted until 2 a.m. Sales are restricted on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Christmas Eve.

Ohio

Ohio controls spirit sales at the state level. On-premise sales are permitted from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., and off-premise sales are allowed from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Grocery stores can sell all forms of alcohol. The state licenses private businesses for a fee. There is a 12% ABV limit on beer.

Oklahoma

Alcohol sales in Oklahoma are not state-controlled. On-premise sales are allowed from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., and off-premise sales are permitted from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Only 3.2% beer can be sold in supermarkets, and any beer over 4% ABV can only be sold at room temperature in liquor stores, which are closed on Sundays and some holidays. As of 2007, stores can open on election days.

Oregon

Oregon controls spirit sales at the state level. On-premise and off-premise sales are allowed from 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., and beer and wine can be sold at supermarkets. Liquor is only available at state-run liquor stores.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania controls wine and spirit sales at the state level. On-premise sales are permitted from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays with a special permit. If non-alcohol sales are at least 30%, private clubs can sell until 3 a.m. Wine and spirits can only be purchased at state-run liquor stores, which operate from 9 a.m. to 10

Minimum drinking age

The minimum drinking age is the age below which the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited by law. These laws vary between countries and many have exemptions or special circumstances. The majority of countries have a minimum legal drinking age of 18. However, the minimum age at which alcohol can be legally purchased can differ from the drinking age in some countries.

In the United States, the minimum drinking age is 21, as per the 1984 National Minimum Drinking Age Act. This law requires all states and territories to enforce a minimum purchasing age of 21 or lose 10% of their federal highway funding. The act does not apply to the age of alcohol consumption, meaning that states may allow alcohol consumption by those under 21 without penalty. The minimum drinking age in US territories also varies, with the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico retaining a minimum drinking age of 18.

In the UK, the minimum drinking age is 18. However, in England and Wales, there is a minimum legal age of 5 for supervised consumption in private places. In Scotland, it is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 18, and for those under 17 to consume alcohol.

In Canada, most provinces have a minimum drinking age of 19, while in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, the minimum age is 18.

In Europe, most countries have a minimum drinking age of 18, although there are some variations. For example, in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, the minimum purchase age is below 18 years, but minors are permitted either full or limited access to alcohol.

In Asia, the minimum drinking age varies, with some countries such as Saudi Arabia and Libya prohibiting alcohol consumption entirely. In India, the drinking age varies by state, with a minimum drinking age of 18 in some states and 21 or 25 in others.

Alcohol licenses

Alcohol laws in the United States are complex, with federal, state, and local laws governing how citizens buy and consume beer. While the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, enacted in 1984, prohibits the sale of alcohol to persons under 21, individual states have the power to regulate the sale of beer and other alcoholic beverages. This means that the laws surrounding alcohol licenses vary from state to state.

In general, a liquor license is required to sell alcoholic beverages. This includes licenses for selling beer and wine, as well as full liquor licenses. The type of license you need will depend on the type of alcohol you plan to carry and whether customers will consume it on-site. Some common license types include:

• Retail Liquor License: Permits the sale of all alcoholic beverages for consumption off-premises, including spirits, beer, wine, and sometimes high-proof alcohol.
• On-Premises Liquor License: Allows the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises of bars, restaurants, or entertainment venues.
• Beer and Wine License: Permits the sale of beer and wine but not hard liquor or spirits. This may include on-site and off-site consumption, depending on state regulations.
• Brewpub License: Enables a brewery to sell its beer on-site directly to consumers and may allow for limited food service.
• Distillery License: Authorizes the production, storage, and sale of distilled spirits or hard liquor.
• Winery License: Permits wineries to produce, store, and sell wine on-site, and may include wine tastings and direct-to-consumer sales.
• Special Event Permit: A temporary permit for serving alcohol at specific events such as festivals, weddings, or fundraisers.

The cost of these licenses varies depending on the state and license type. For example, in Delaware, licensing costs range from $150 to over $3,000. Most states also require annual license renewal fees.

To obtain an alcohol license, you must first determine the appropriate license type for your business and calculate the cost. You will also need to consider the premises requirements, such as ownership, zoning laws, and cleanliness. Once you have gathered the necessary information and documentation, you can submit your application to the relevant regulatory body, which may include an investigation or review process.

Alcohol content restrictions

For example, California allows the sale of alcohol up to 60% ABV, while anything above this limit is sold in drugstores or pharmacies. In Texas, there is no alcohol cap, but additional licensing is required for products above 15.5% ABV. In Vermont, there are no restrictions on alcohol content, but open containers of alcohol in vehicles are prohibited, and there are specific hours during which alcohol can be sold and consumed.

Some states restrict the hours of sale for alcohol based on alcohol content, typically classified as wines, beers, distilled liquor, or spirits, or based on alcohol by volume (ABV). For instance, in Alabama, beer containers may not exceed 25.4 ounces or 0.75L, and ABV must be below 14.9%. In Mississippi, beer with an ABV above 5% can only be purchased at liquor stores, while beer below that threshold can be bought at convenience stores and grocery stores.

It's important to note that these laws can change over time, and it's always a good idea to check the most up-to-date information for your specific location.

Alcohol sales restrictions

States can restrict the times of day when retailers can sell beer, with many prohibiting alcohol sales on Sundays and certain holidays. For example, Mississippi only allows beer sales between 10 am and 10 pm from Monday to Saturday, while Vermont permits alcohol sales 7 days a week.

Some states have more stringent liquor laws than others. For instance, Kansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee are considered dry states, meaning they have the most stringent liquor laws. On the other hand, Nevada is known for having the most lenient laws regarding alcoholic beverages.

During the coronavirus pandemic, many states temporarily relaxed their alcohol laws, allowing restaurants to include beer, wine, and spirits in takeout and delivery options. Some states, like Maryland and New Jersey, deemed liquor stores essential businesses. These changes highlighted the need for more uniformity in alcohol regulations across the country.

Frequently asked questions