Best Beer-Buying Options In Florida

Florida has a wide range of options for purchasing beer, with varying laws and regulations. Beer can be bought at convenience stores, supermarkets, retail stores, and package stores. The legal drinking age in Florida is 21, and the sale of alcohol is prohibited between 12 am and 7 am, although certain counties are permitted to sell alcohol 24/7.

Florida has a few dry counties, such as Lafayette and Liberty, which restrict alcohol sales to packaged alcohol and limit the alcohol content to below 6.243% ABV. On the other hand, wet counties allow alcohol sales in bars, restaurants, breweries, and taprooms, in addition to package and liquor stores.

Some well-known beer distributors in Florida include Bernie Little Distributing, Inc., Brown Distributing Co. of West Palm Beach, and Burkhardt Distributing of Gainesville, Inc. Online retailers like BeerMenus and Total Wine & More also offer delivery services, providing convenience for those who prefer to enjoy their beer at home.

Beer in Florida: Online and in-store options

Florida's alcohol laws can be confusing, especially when it comes to buying beer. The state sets specific times when alcohol can be sold, but individual counties and municipalities are also allowed to set their own rules, which means the options for buying beer can vary depending on where you are in the state. Here's a guide to help you navigate the beer landscape in Florida, covering both online and in-store options.

In-store Options:

Florida is not a dry state, but it does have a couple of dry counties: Lafayette and Liberty. In these dry counties, alcohol sales are restricted to packaged alcohol and only during weekdays. Throughout the rest of the state, beer can be purchased at various retailers, including bars and restaurants, package and liquor stores, and grocery stores. Gas stations also sell beer and wine.

The hours for purchasing beer vary and are typically determined by the county. Statewide, beer can be bought for off and on-premise consumption from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. every day. However, some counties allow sales from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m., and a few even permit 24/7 sales at certain retailers. It's always a good idea to check the local regulations for the specific county you're in to avoid any confusion.

Online Options:

If you prefer to buy your beer online, there are a few options available. BeerMenus and Total Wine & More are online beer retailers that offer delivery services and provide information about nearby stores or restaurants that carry specific beers. Additionally, the official websites of beer brands, such as National Bohemian, often have store locator features that allow you to find retailers near you that carry their products. These websites may also offer free shipping for orders above a certain amount and provide various deals and discounts.

Another option for online beer shopping is eBay, which offers a wide range of beer products, including collectible cans, bottles, and beer-related items. However, when purchasing beer online, it is crucial to abide by local regulations and ensure that you meet the legal drinking age requirements.

Beer in Florida: Grocery stores and gas stations

Florida's alcohol laws can be confusing, especially when it comes to buying beer, wine, and spirits. The state allows counties and municipalities to set their own hours for alcohol sales, which means the rules vary from place to place. Here's a guide to buying beer in Florida, specifically focusing on grocery stores and gas stations.

In Florida, you can buy beer at grocery stores and gas stations. However, there are certain restrictions in place. Beer sales are allowed from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m., seven days a week. Some counties may have more restrictive hours for alcohol sales, so it's always a good idea to check the local regulations in your area.

Grocery stores in Florida are permitted to sell beer and wine. However, they cannot sell spirits or individual containers larger than 32 ounces. Additionally, all alcohol sold at grocery stores must be for off-premise consumption. This means you can't drink your beer inside the store or in the immediate vicinity.

Gas stations in Florida are also allowed to sell beer and wine. Like grocery stores, they cannot sell hard liquor, and the containers must not exceed 32 ounces. Gas stations are subject to the same hours as grocery stores, with sales permitted from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. daily. Again, off-premise consumption only is allowed.

It's worth noting that Florida has a couple of dry counties, Lafayette and Liberty, where alcohol sales are heavily restricted. In these counties, alcohol sales are limited to packaged alcohol, and beverages above 6.243% ABV are not permitted. Alcohol sales are also restricted to weekdays in these counties.

When purchasing alcohol in Florida, it's important to abide by the local regulations and ensure that you are of legal drinking age, which is 21 years or older.

Beer in Florida: Age restrictions

Florida's legal drinking age is 21 years or older. The state imposes strict penalties for underage drinking, including a $500 fine and 60 days in jail for a first violation, and a $1,000 fine and up to a year in prison for a second violation.

Florida also prohibits the sale, service, or provision of alcoholic beverages to anyone under 21 years of age. The penalty for a first violation is a second-degree misdemeanour, while a second or subsequent violation within a year is a first-degree misdemeanour.

Employees under 18 years old are not allowed to sell or serve alcohol. However, employees must be at least 18 to work in areas of an establishment that sell or serve alcohol for consumption.

Beer in Florida: Dry counties

Florida is not a dry state, but it does have a few dry counties. These dry counties do not prohibit alcohol entirely but instead heavily restrict what can be sold, whether by the drink or package, and when you may buy alcohol. Of Florida's 67 counties, 2 are dry: Lafayette and Liberty. There were three dry counties prior to January 2022 when Washington County voted to allow the sale of alcohol by package and drink in the county.

Lafayette and Liberty counties limit sales to packaged alcohol. Additionally, alcohol above 6.243% ABV may not be sold. Alcohol sales are limited to the weekdays.

In Florida, the days and hours of alcohol sales are primarily under the jurisdiction of the state's counties and cities. While the state typically doesn't allow alcohol sales between 12 a.m. and 7 a.m., certain counties are permitted to sell alcohol 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Miami-Dade is one of the few counties to allow 24-hour sales seven days a week.

Florida drinking laws prohibit drinking on public property, including streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and beaches. This prohibition also applies to private property if the owner hasn't given permission.

The minimum drinking age in Florida is 21. Even a first violation constitutes a felony, facing a penalty of a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. A second violation carries a $1,000 fine and up to a year in prison.

Beer in Florida: Delivery services

Beer, wine, and spirits can be purchased in-store or online in Florida. Many retailers offer same-day delivery services, with some promising delivery within 30-60 minutes.

Minibar Delivery

Minibar Delivery offers state-wide shipping across Florida, with delivery available in as little as 30-60 minutes. They offer a wide range of products, including beer, wine, liquor, and mixers, as well as additional items such as flowers and glassware.

Uber Eats

Uber Eats provides an online platform for customers to order beer, wine, and spirits for delivery from various retailers, including Mega Wine & Spirits, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Best Buy Liquors.

Total Wine & More

Total Wine & More is an online retailer that offers a range of beers, wines, and spirits for delivery or in-store pickup. They have a variety of deals and specials available, and also provide recipes and cocktail ideas.

Additional Options

There are also several other beer distributors and delivery services operating in specific regions of Florida. These include Schenck Company, Select Spirits, and Coastal Beverage Ltd.

Frequently asked questions