Last Call: When Does Beer Buying End?

The time at which you can stop buying beer varies depending on your location. For example, in Texas, beer sales typically cease at midnight from Monday to Friday and at 1:00 a.m. on Saturdays. On Sundays, beer can be sold from 12:01 a.m. to midnight. In California, the sale of beer is prohibited between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on the same day. In the UK, the legal alcohol limit for drivers is lower than in the US, and the hours during which alcohol can be purchased are more restricted.

Texas beer sales

Texas has strict laws regarding the sale of beer, wine, and liquor, with varying regulations depending on the day of the week and the type of establishment. These laws, known as "blue laws," are based on historical legislation aimed at enforcing moral and religious standards by restricting certain activities on Sundays. While many of these blue laws have been repealed, restrictions on alcohol sales remain in place.

Monday to Friday: Beer and wine can be purchased from retail stores, such as grocery and convenience stores, from 7 a.m. to midnight. Liquor stores have more restricted hours, with sales allowed from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday: Beer and wine sales in retail stores are extended by an hour, starting at 7 a.m. and ending at 1 a.m. on Sunday morning. Liquor stores maintain the same hours as weekdays, with sales from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday: Beer and wine sales are permitted in retail stores from 10 a.m. to midnight. However, liquor stores are closed on Sundays, reflecting stricter regulations on hard liquor sales.

It's important to note that Texas laws can vary across cities and counties, and there are additional restrictions on major holidays. For example, liquor sales are prohibited on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Additionally, some Texas counties do not allow alcohol sales at all.

The hours for purchasing beer in Texas also depend on the type of license or permit held by the establishment. On-premises licenses, such as those held by bars and restaurants, allow for different hours than off-premises licenses held by retail stores.

Sunday sales

In Texas, for example, you can buy beer on Sundays, but not liquor. Beer can be purchased from 10 a.m. to midnight on Sundays, but liquor stores are closed. This is due to Texas's "blue laws", which forbid the sale of certain items on Sundays, originally intended to highlight the day as one of worship or rest. Texas's "no liquor on Sundays" law dates back to 1935, when the Texas Liquor Control Act was passed after Prohibition was repealed.

In Florida, you can purchase alcohol on Sundays beginning at 7 a.m. However, bars and restaurants stop serving alcohol between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m., although certain counties are permitted to sell alcohol 24 hours a day.

In Iowa, alcohol selling hours run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. Every other weekday, it's 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.

In Alabama, alcohol sales are prohibited in several counties known as dry counties. However, in other parts of the state, alcohol can be purchased at state liquor stores from Monday to Saturday, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Grocery stores and liquor stores are allowed to sell alcohol from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., and on-premise locations can sell until 2 a.m. as well.

In summary, Sunday sales of beer and alcohol vary by state and even by county, so it's important to check the specific regulations in your area.

Liquor laws

The time at which you can stop buying beer varies depending on your location. For example, in Texas, retail stores that don't sell liquor, like convenience stores and grocery stores, offer beer and wine at different times depending on the day. From Monday to Friday, beer is sold from 7 a.m. to midnight, and on Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday morning. On Sundays, beer is available from 10 a.m. to midnight.

In Alabama, alcohol sales are prohibited in several counties known as dry counties, but in the rest of the state, you can buy alcohol at state liquor stores from Monday to Saturday, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Grocery stores and liquor stores are allowed to sell alcohol from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.

In California, there are no state-wide restrictions on the days of the week that alcohol can be sold, but cities and counties can set additional restrictions. Alcohol can be purchased on- or off-premises from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. any day of the year.

In the District of Columbia, alcohol sales are prohibited from 3 a.m. before federal and district holidays until 4 a.m. on New Year's Eve.

In Florida, state liquor laws prohibit selling hours (on- and off-premises) between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m., but counties can override this restriction.

In Georgia, the only state-wide rule is that Sunday off-premises sales are disallowed from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. by default. Your local jurisdiction needs to opt-in to Sunday afternoon sales by referendum.

In Idaho, state liquor law allows liquor to be sold between 10 a.m. and 1 a.m., but you can start buying beer and wine at 6 a.m. Counties and cities can extend alcohol service until 2 a.m.

In summary, the time at which you can stop buying beer varies depending on your location, and in some cases, the day of the week and type of alcohol. It's important to check the specific liquor laws in your state and local jurisdiction to ensure you're complying with the relevant regulations.

Alcohol by volume

ABV is the measure of alcohol content within a beverage. In the US, a standard drink contains around 14 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol. This is generally found in a 12-ounce beer bottle at 5% ABV. Beer contains between 4-7% ABV, with the average being 5%. Therefore, a 12-ounce beer at 5% ABV equals 0.6 ounces of alcohol per serving. However, if you opt for a craft beer, such as an IPA, your alcohol per serving can be closer to 0.9 ounces, and it will take longer for your liver to process it.

The alcohol by volume (ABV) of beer varies across different brands and styles. Here is a breakdown of the ABV for some popular beer brands:

• 2% ABV Beers: Pabst Extra Light Low Alcohol, Grolsch Blonde Lager
• 3% ABV Beers: Strauss Endless Summer Light, Rolling Rock Green Light, Hamm's Special Light
• 4% ABV Beers: Michelob Ultra Amber, Miller High Life Light, Sierra Nevada Wheat Beer, Bud Light
• 4.5% ABV Beers: Miller Genuine Draft, Leinenkugel Original, Sam Adams Cream Stout
• 5% ABV Beers: Brooklyn Pennant Pale Ale, Guinness Extra Stout, Blue Moon Belgian White, Sam Adams Boston Lager
• 6% ABV Beers: Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale, Brooklyn East India Pale Ale
• 7% ABV Beers: Sierra Nevada Pale Bock, Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA, Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale
• 8% ABV Beers: Lagunitas Hop Stoopid, Flying Dog Raging Bitch, Imperial Maine Event
• 9% ABV Beers: Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, Sam Adams Imperial Stout, Sierra Nevada Bigfoot
• 10%+ ABV Beers: Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, Dogfish Head Red & White, Sam Adams Imperial White, Flying Dog Double Dog

It is important to note that the ABV of beer can vary slightly depending on the brewing process and specific ingredients used. Additionally, local laws and regulations may restrict the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, including beer, based on ABV levels.

Local laws

In Texas, beer sales at grocery and convenience stores start at 7 a.m. from Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday. Sales end at midnight from Sunday to Friday, and at 1 a.m. on Saturday. Bars and restaurants follow a similar schedule, but on Sundays, they can only serve alcohol from 10 a.m. to noon if paired with food. If food isn't included in the order, alcohol-only sales begin at noon.

In California, the sale of alcohol is allowed from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. any day of the year, both on- and off-premises. However, cities and counties can set additional restrictions. For example, in Miami-Dade County, Florida, liquor stores are permitted to be open 24/7.

Some states, like Idaho, have different start times for liquor and beer/wine sales. In Idaho, liquor sales are allowed between 10 a.m. and 1 a.m., while beer and wine sales can start at 6 a.m. Counties and cities in Idaho can extend alcohol service until 2 a.m., but alcohol sales are prohibited on Sundays, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

In Kentucky, while there are state liquor laws related to alcohol selling hours, there are numerous exceptions, so it is advisable to check with the local jurisdiction.

In Alabama, alcohol sales are prohibited in several counties known as dry counties.

In summary, local laws regarding the sale of beer vary widely across the United States, with different start and end times, restrictions on days of the week, and exceptions for different types of businesses and alcoholic beverages. It is essential to refer to the specific regulations in your local area to ensure compliance with the law.

Frequently asked questions