Quebec's Beer Buying Hours: When Can I Purchase?

In Quebec, beer and wine can be purchased at any grocery store or convenience store, while spirits are only available at government-run retail stores. The sale of alcohol is prohibited between 11 pm and 7 am, with most grocery and convenience stores closing at 11 pm. However, bars and restaurants can serve alcohol until 3 am.

Beer and wine can be purchased from grocery stores or dépanneurs (convenience stores)

In Quebec, beer and wine can be purchased from grocery stores or dépanneurs (convenience stores). This is a unique feature of Quebec in Canada, as most other provinces sell beer and wine in provincially-owned or private liquor stores. In Quebec, spirits such as liquor and most wine are only available through the province's liquor corporation, the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ).

The sale of beer and wine in grocery stores and dépanneurs is a convenient feature for residents, as it means that wine and cold beer are available within walking distance of any home. However, the selection of beers and wines at most dépanneurs is limited. For example, the wines sold in dépanneurs are typically shipped to Quebec in bulk and bottled locally, and are therefore of lower quality than those sold at the SAQ. Similarly, while dépanneurs carry a range of domestic and imported beers, they may not have as wide a selection as the SAQ.

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 possession of alcohol. The RACJ also approves advertisements for alcoholic beverages. The sale of alcoholic beverages is also regulated by federal and Quebec laws and regulations.

In terms of the time that beer can be purchased in Quebec, it appears that alcohol sales are prohibited between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am.

Liquor and most wine are available only through the province's liquor corporation, the SAQ

In Quebec, the sale of liquor and most wine is controlled by the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ); Quebec Liquor Corporation. This provincial Crown corporation holds a monopoly on the trade of alcoholic beverages within the province, with the sole shareholder being the Minister of Finance of the Quebec government.

The SAQ operates over 400 stores under six different banners across Quebec, each offering a varied selection of products and services:

• SAQ (Classique): Found in towns and villages with a single SAQ branch, offering a varied selection.
• SAQ Express: Located in large urban centres, these outlets carry top-selling products and extended business hours, often staying open from 11 AM to 10 PM daily.
• SAQ Sélection: Provides an extended selection, along with professional service and counselling.
• SAQ Dépôt: Warehouse-style stores offering wholesale packages.

While some wines and low-alcoholic-content beverages can be purchased in Quebec supermarkets, the SAQ remains the primary source for liquor and wine in the province. The legal age for purchasing alcohol in Quebec is 18, and SAQ stores are required by law to verify the age of customers who appear to be under 25 by checking photo identification. Most SAQ stores are open Monday through Wednesday from 9 AM to 6 PM, Thursday and Friday from 9 AM to 9 PM, and on Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM. However, the specific hours may vary, and some outlets may have extended hours.

The SAQ plays a significant role in the province's alcohol consumption patterns. According to their 2015-2016 annual report, table wines accounted for 79.3% of sales through SAQ stores and grocery stores. Spirits made up 14.8% of sales, followed by coolers at 3.9%, beers at 1.7%, and ciders and other products at 0.3%.

Alcohol can be purchased from 7 am to 11 pm in Quebec

Quebec's alcohol laws were simplified in 2018 with the passing of Bill 170, which was designed to make life easier for restaurateurs. The new legislation allows for the sale of alcohol from 7 am to 11 pm in the province, a change from the previous law which prohibited the purchase of alcohol in grocery stores or dépanneurs before 8 am.

The Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) is a government corporation responsible for selling alcoholic beverages in the province. In 2018-2019, the SAQ sold nearly 14,350 products and generated sales of approximately $3.294 billion. The SAQ has 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.

While the sale of alcohol is permitted until 11 pm in Quebec, there are some exceptions. For example, alcohol can be purchased at bars and restaurants until 3 am. Additionally, there are rules regarding the consumption of alcohol in public places, such as parks or streets, which is generally prohibited except during certain events or when specifically allowed by law.

Beer and wine are available in every dépanneur, and you can buy individual bottles

Quebec's alcohol laws underwent some changes in 2018, allowing people to buy beer from a dépanneur (convenience store) as early as 7 am. Beer and wine are available in every dépanneur, and you can buy individual bottles, which is quite convenient if you're looking for a drink within walking distance of your home.

The selection of beers and wines at most dépanneurs is not extensive, and the quality is not as high as that of the products sold by the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ). The wines sold in dépanneurs are typically shipped to Quebec in bulk and bottled locally, whereas the "real" wines are available at the SAQ. However, some of the dépanneur wines, particularly those from Chile, can be decent table wines.

When it comes to beer, dépanneurs usually offer standard domestic options like Labatt and Molson products, with a few imports like Grolsch, Heineken, and Corona. Urban areas often have a wider selection of Quebec-made microbrews, but these options become more limited in rural areas.

While the convenience of having wine and beer available at your local dépanneur is undeniable, it's important to be aware of the potential pitfalls. The prices at dépanneurs may seem lower, but they don't include the 15% sales tax, so you might end up paying more than you would at the SAQ. Additionally, the quality of the alcoholic beverages at dépanneurs may not always meet your expectations.

It's worth noting that the sale of alcoholic beverages in Quebec is regulated by federal and provincial laws, and permits are generally required for production, distribution, delivery, and commercialisation. The Régie des alcools des courses et des jeux (RACJ) is responsible for issuing permits and approving advertisements for alcoholic beverages. The SAQ, on the other hand, is a government corporation with exclusive primary distribution rights for all alcoholic beverages in Quebec, except for certain exceptions like light cider and beer.

The SAQ has exclusive primary distribution rights for all alcoholic beverages except light cider, beer bottled in Quebec, and imported beer distributed by a distributor's permit holder

In Quebec, the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) is a government corporation with the exclusive mission of selling alcoholic beverages. In 2018-2019, the SAQ sold 14,350 products, generating nearly $3.294 billion in sales and paying $1.146 billion in dividends to the Government of Quebec.

The SAQ has exclusive primary distribution rights for all alcoholic beverages in Quebec, except for light cider, beer bottled in Quebec, and imported beer distributed by a distributor's permit holder. Beer and a limited selection of wine—imported in bulk and bottled in Quebec—are sold in supermarkets and convenience stores. Liquor and most wine are available only through the SAQ.

The SAQ's exclusive distribution rights do not extend to the sale of beer bottled in Quebec or imported beer distributed by a permit holder. This means that other retailers, such as supermarkets and convenience stores, can sell these products directly to consumers. The sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in Quebec unless carried out by a permit holder or authorized by a legislative provision. The Régie des alcools des courses et des jeux (RACJ) is responsible for issuing permits for the production, distribution, and possession of alcohol.

In terms of purchasing times, Quebec has made changes to its liquor laws, allowing individuals to purchase beer as early as 7 a.m. at dépanneurs and grocery stores. Previously, the sale of alcohol was prohibited before 8 a.m. in such establishments. The new legislation also allows parents to consume alcohol on terraces with their children until 10 p.m., a change from the previous 8 p.m. restriction.

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