When Beer Buying Begins

The time at which you can start buying beer depends on your location. In the United States, for example, while the legal drinking age is uniform at 21, the sale of alcohol is regulated by individual states and territories, resulting in varying timings across the country. In Mississippi, beer can be purchased between 10 am and 10 pm from Monday to Saturday, while in California, beer is available from 6 am to 2 am every day. Some states, like Mississippi, prohibit alcohol sales on Sundays and Christmas Day, while others, like California, have no such restrictions.

Even within states, timings can differ based on the day of the week, the type of retailer, and whether the alcohol is for on-premises or off-premises consumption. For instance, in Texas, the complex liquor laws vary across cities and counties. Beer and wine are typically available from 7 am to midnight, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 1 am on Saturday, and 10 am to midnight on Sunday. However, bars and restaurants have slightly different hours on Sundays, serving alcohol only from 10 am to noon if paired with food, and from noon onwards for alcohol-only sales.

Beer buying times vary across the US

Beer-buying times vary across the US, with each state and territory empowered to regulate the sale of beer within their jurisdiction. While the minimum drinking age is 21 across the country, there are exceptions in some states for religious, medical, and educational purposes, or when in the presence of a parent or guardian.

The time at which you can buy beer depends on where you are. For example, in Mississippi, beer can be purchased between 10 am and 10 pm from Monday to Saturday, whereas in California, beer can be purchased from 6 am to 2 am every day. In some states, like Mississippi, alcohol sales are prohibited on Sundays and Christmas Day. In other states, like California, there are no restrictions on when alcohol can be sold on holidays.

Texas has complex liquor laws that vary across cities and counties. Generally, beer and wine can be purchased from 7 am to midnight, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 1 am on Saturday, and 10 am to midnight on Sunday. Grocery and convenience stores in Texas can sell beer and wine between 7 am and midnight from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, sales begin at 7 am and extend until 1 am on Sunday mornings. In 2021, Texas updated its laws regarding Sunday sales, allowing them to start at 10 am instead of noon.

Bars and restaurants follow a similar schedule to grocery and convenience stores, but with some differences on Sundays. They can serve alcohol from 10 am to noon on Sundays only if it is paired with food. If food is not included, alcohol-only sales begin at noon.

In Georgia, you can buy beer for off-premises consumption between 8 am and 11:45 pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm on Sundays. However, these times may vary depending on the county and the type of retailer, and there are also dry counties in Georgia where alcohol sales are illegal.

Alabama also has specific regulations. You can buy alcohol at state liquor stores from Monday to Saturday, between 9 am and 9 pm. Grocery and liquor stores are allowed to sell alcohol from 6 am to 2 am, and on-premise locations can sell until 2 am as well. However, alcohol sales are prohibited in several counties known as dry counties.

With such variation across the US, it is important to check the specific regulations in your area. These laws can change, so it is always a good idea to stay informed to ensure you're complying with the latest regulations.

Texas liquor laws

Beer and Wine

Beer and wine can be purchased from retail stores that don't sell liquor, like convenience stores and grocery stores, from 7 am to midnight, Monday through Friday. On Saturday, beer and wine sales run from 7 am to 1 am on Sunday, and from 10 am to midnight on Sunday.

Bars and restaurants follow a similar schedule, but on Sundays, they can only serve alcohol from 10 am to noon if it is paired with food. If food isn't on the menu, alcohol-only sales begin at noon.

Liquor

Liquor stores can sell alcohol from 10 am to 9 pm, Monday through Saturday. They are closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Public Consumption

The legal hours of public consumption of alcohol depend on the type of area.

In an "extended-hours area", a person may not consume or possess alcohol with the intent to consume in a public place from Monday to Saturday before 7 am or after 2:15 am, and on Sundays before noon or after 2:15 am.

In a "standard-hours area", a person may not consume or possess alcohol with the intent to consume in a public place from Monday to Friday before 7 am or after 12:15 am, on Saturday before 7 am or after 1:15 am, and on Sunday before noon or after 12:15 am.

There are exceptions to these rules, including the service of food and consumption at wineries, fairs, festivals, concerts, or sports venues.

California's unrestricted holiday sales

California has unrestricted holiday alcohol sales, allowing purchases from 6 am to 2 am every day of the year. This applies to both on- and off-premises sales, and includes beer, wine, and spirits.

However, while California's state laws do not restrict holiday alcohol sales, individual cities and counties can set additional restrictions. For example, the sale of alcohol may be prohibited on Christmas Day, and some areas may have certain restrictions on Sunday sales.

It is worth noting that California's laws regarding alcohol sales are subject to change, and it is always a good idea to check for the most up-to-date information.

Georgia's dry counties

The time at which you can buy beer varies across the United States. While some states keep it simple with a single set of hours for all types of liquor sales across the week, others have different laws for each day of the week.

In Georgia, the only state-wide rule is that off-premises sales are disallowed from 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm on Sundays. Local jurisdictions can opt-in to Sunday afternoon sales by referendum. Closing times vary by jurisdiction, but generally, the last call in Georgia is 2 am from Monday to Saturday and 11:30 pm on Sunday.

Georgia has nine "dry counties" where retail liquor sales are illegal: Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, and Union counties. White County is also dry, but the city of Helen allows alcohol sales.

Alcohol delivery in Georgia

The laws and regulations surrounding alcohol delivery in Georgia can be complex, with specific rules governing the sale, delivery, and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you understand the process and make informed decisions.

Understanding the Law

In Georgia, the legal hours for purchasing beer for off-premises consumption are generally 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Sundays. However, it's important to note that these times may vary depending on the county and the type of retailer. Some counties have more restrictive rules, like Muscogee County, where beer sales are prohibited from 12:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Delivery Services

Several options are available for alcohol delivery in Georgia. Third-party delivery services, such as Instacart and GotoLiquorStore, connect you with local retailers and offer convenient ordering platforms. Local liquor stores in Atlanta, like Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits, and Total Wine & More, also provide delivery services. Additionally, wineries in Georgia are permitted to offer direct-to-consumer shipping.

Important Considerations

When it comes to alcohol delivery in Georgia, there are a few crucial points to keep in mind. Firstly, only liquor stores are authorised to deliver distilled spirits, and only restaurants are permitted to deliver mixed drinks. Other businesses can only sell prepackaged alcohol for delivery. Moreover, anyone delivering alcohol must undergo special state-approved training, and recipients must be at least 21 years old and provide a valid photo ID upon delivery.

Dry Counties

It is worth noting that there are still dry counties in Georgia, where retail liquor sales are illegal. As of 2023, these include Bleckley, Coweta, Dodge, Effingham, Franklin, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, Union, and White County (excluding the city of Helen). Butts and Decatur counties prohibit alcohol sales for on-site consumption, while Upson County forbids retail alcohol sales but permits alcohol service in bars and restaurants.

On-Premises Consumption

The hours for on-premises alcohol consumption in Georgia are different from off-premises consumption. From Monday to Saturday, alcohol can be served from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., while on Sundays, the hours are 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Additionally, some jurisdictions have a \"brunch law\" that allows alcohol service to start at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays.

Frequently asked questions