Buying Beer: Legal Age And Time Limits Explained

The sale of beer is subject to different regulations depending on the region. In Texas, for instance, beer can be purchased on Sundays after 10 a.m. and before midnight, with certain events and locations allowing sales from 10 a.m. to noon. In California, there are no restrictions on Sunday beer sales, and alcohol sales are permitted from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. In Georgia, beer can be purchased from retail stores on Sundays between 12:30 p.m. and 11:45 p.m., while some cities allow sales from 11 a.m.

Buying beer on Sundays

In Monroe County, beer can be sold for off-premises consumption during the following hours: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on weekdays and Sundays. Liquor and wine stores in Monroe County are closed on Sundays, along with Thanksgiving Day and New Year's Day. If one of these holidays falls on a Sunday, the stores will be closed the following Monday.

In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul has recently pushed to modernise the state's alcoholic beverage laws, allowing for earlier alcohol sales on Sundays. Liquor and wine stores can now open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. on Sundays. These changes are expected to fuel economic development and job growth, especially for small businesses.

Buying beer in Texas

Texas has complex liquor laws, and the timing of your beer purchase will depend on the day of the week and the type of retailer you are buying from.

If you are buying beer from a retail store that doesn't sell liquor, such as a convenience store or a grocery store, then the following hours apply:

• Monday to Friday: 7 am to midnight
• Saturday: 7 am to 1 am on Sunday morning
• Sunday: 10 am to midnight

If you are buying from a bar or restaurant, the hours are a little different:

• Monday to Friday: 7 am to midnight
• Saturday: 7 am to 1 am on Sunday morning
• Sunday: Alcohol can be served from 10 am to noon if it is paired with food. If food isn't included in the order, alcohol-only sales begin at noon and continue until midnight.

It is worth noting that Texas law prohibits the sale of liquor on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Liquor stores are closed on Sundays, and their hours on other days are:

Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 9 pm

Texas has strict liquor laws, and liquor sales are restricted to fewer hours and locations than other types of alcohol. These laws are in place to limit alcohol consumption and reflect the state's cultural and religious heritage.

Buying beer in Georgia

The rules for buying beer in Georgia vary depending on the county and the type of retailer. In general, beer and wine can be purchased at convenience and grocery stores, while distilled spirits can only be bought at licensed package stores.

On Mondays to Saturdays, beer can be purchased from 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. for off-premises consumption. On Sundays, beer may be sold from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. However, package stores that sell distilled spirits are closed on Sundays.

Some counties have different regulations for purchasing beer. For example, in Bibb County, beer and wine can be purchased on Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and on weekdays and Saturdays anytime except between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. In Houston County, beer sales are prohibited from midnight on Sunday to 12:30 p.m. and from 11:30 p.m. Monday to 12 a.m. Tuesday.

It's important to note that the legal drinking age in Georgia is 21, and providing alcohol to anyone under that age is illegal and carries penalties. Additionally, open container laws in Georgia prohibit alcohol consumption in motor vehicles, and containers must be kept in the glove box, trunk, or the furthest seat from the driver.

Buying beer in California

California's alcohol laws are relatively relaxed, allowing beer to be sold every day from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. in any licensed location, including bars, restaurants, and retailers. This means that you can purchase beer on Sundays and public holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter.

Beer can be purchased from a variety of locations, including bars, restaurants, package and liquor stores, breweries, taprooms, and even gas stations and grocery stores. The minimum drinking age in California is 21, and it is illegal for those under this age to purchase or consume alcohol, even with parental consent. Drinking and driving is also illegal in California.

While California has no dry counties, its laws do allow localities to enact stricter alcohol sales regulations. For example, localities can vote to change the hours during which alcohol can be sold.

California's alcohol laws are regulated and enforced by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), which is responsible for licensing, tax collection, auditing, fee collection, and enforcing state laws and regulations.

Buying beer in grocery stores

Beer can be purchased in grocery stores in several places, including Ontario, Canada, and Texas, USA.

In Ontario, consumers can buy beer in participating convenience, grocery, and big-box grocery stores. There are currently up to 450 grocery stores licensed to sell beer, and this number is expected to increase. Beer can be purchased alongside other alcoholic beverages like wine, cider, coolers, and seltzers. These grocery stores must follow certain rules, such as only selling to those above the legal drinking age and ensuring that staff are fully trained.

In Texas, grocery and convenience stores can sell beer from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday. On Sundays, beer can be purchased from 10 a.m. to midnight. However, it's important to note that Texas has blue laws that prohibit the sale of liquor in stores on Sundays, which dates back to the Texas Liquor Control Act passed in 1935 after the repeal of Prohibition.

Frequently asked questions