Best Beer Buying Options In Massachusetts

If you're looking to buy beer in Massachusetts, you're in luck! The state offers a wide array of locally produced beverages, from craft breweries to wineries and cideries. You can purchase beer and wine at grocery and convenience stores, gas stations, and liquor stores. Massachusetts is heavily populated with independent alcohol retailers, with approximately 3,000 off-premise spirits licenses and 1,800 standalone beverage alcohol stores. The state also has a strong sports culture, with tailgating and sports bars being a popular part of the drinking tradition. So, whether you're looking for a craft beer to enjoy at home or a drink to cheer on your favorite team, you'll be able to find it in Massachusetts.

Beer, wine, and liquor can be bought every day in Massachusetts

The sale of alcohol is governed by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC), which controls all aspects of alcohol, including production, selling, and consumption. Retailers are allowed to sell alcohol between the hours of 8 am and 11 pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10 am to 11 pm on Sundays. On-premise retailers, such as bars and restaurants, can sell alcohol from 8 am to 2 am Monday through Saturday and 10 am to 2 am on Sundays. Off-premise locations include convenience stores, grocery stores, and package and liquor stores.

Massachusetts has some unique drinking trends, such as a penchant for 50ml products, and the state ranks ninth in the US for the most valuable spirits market. The state also has a strong sports culture, with tailgating and sports bars being integral to the drinking traditions.

There are some important restrictions to note when purchasing alcohol in Massachusetts. Firstly, hard liquor cannot be purchased at grocery stores. Secondly, there are eight dry towns in the state that place limitations on the purchase of alcohol, including restricting certain types of alcohol and the hours it can be sold. On election days, there are no off-premise alcohol sales, and on Memorial Day, no alcohol sales are permitted before 12 pm. Lastly, on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, all off-premise sales are prohibited, while on-premise sales are allowed on Thanksgiving but not Christmas.

Alcohol is sold in bars, restaurants, and convenience stores

Massachusetts has a vibrant and diverse alcohol scene, with a strong sports culture influencing its drinking traditions. The state boasts a range of locally produced beverages, including craft breweries, distilleries, wineries, and cideries.

In Massachusetts, alcohol sales are regulated by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC), which controls every aspect of alcohol, from production to consumption. The state has approximately 3,000 off-premise spirits licenses, with 1,800 of them belonging to standalone beverage alcohol stores.

When it comes to purchasing alcohol, Massachusetts has some unique restrictions. While you can buy beer and wine at grocery and convenience stores, hard liquor is not available in these locations. However, some supermarkets with multiple stores across the state are allowed to sell beer and wine in a limited number of their locations. For example, Stop & Shop sells alcohol in its Malden, Quincy, and Hingham stores.

Gas stations in Massachusetts also offer beer and wine for purchase, providing additional convenience for consumers.

For those looking to buy liquor, package stores or liquor stores are the go-to option. These stores are readily available across the state, including in Cape Cod, where travellers can find stores like Luke's and A.J. Lukes in Hyannis, as well as Kappy's Liquors near the airport.

Massachusetts also has a variety of breweries that offer local brews for purchase, such as Cape Cod Beer and Devil's Purse in Dennis.

When planning to purchase alcohol in Massachusetts, it is important to keep in mind that retailers are allowed to sell alcohol between the hours of 8 AM and 11 PM.

Gas stations sell beer and wine

Gas stations in Massachusetts are allowed to sell beer and wine. However, they are only permitted to sell beer with no more than 3.2% alcohol by weight. Other liquor sales are restricted to state-licensed retail liquor stores.

Massachusetts has a complex and restrictive liquor licensing system. The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) oversees all aspects of alcohol production, sales, and consumption in the state. The state legislature changed the law in 2011 to increase the number of licenses a single business entity can hold from three to five, with an additional $5,000 state fee per license over three. As of 2016, this number was increased to seven, and by 2020, it will be nine.

The process of acquiring a liquor license in Massachusetts is challenging and involves a strict quota system in most local jurisdictions. The cost of a liquor license in Massachusetts is high, and the application process is lengthy and complex.

Grocery stores sell beer and wine, not spirits

In Massachusetts, grocery stores sell beer and wine, but not spirits. This is due to a law that restricts the number of licenses a single business entity can hold to sell alcohol. This law was changed by the state legislature in 2011 to increase the number of licenses from three to five, with a $5,000 state fee per license over three. This law was further amended in 2016 to increase the limit to seven licenses, and in 2020 to nine licenses.

Some grocery stores in Massachusetts that sell beer and wine include Roche Bros, Wegman's, Stop & Shop (in select locations), Trader Joe's, and smaller stores like Chatham Market and Friends Marketplace in Orleans.

For spirits, you will need to visit a package or liquor store, or a specialist beer shop, such as the Fenway Beer Shop in Boston.

Liquor and package stores sell beer, wine, and spirits

If you're looking to buy beer in Massachusetts, you can do so at liquor and package stores, which also sell wine and spirits. These stores are independently owned, and there are approximately 1,800 standalone beverage alcohol stores across the state.

In Massachusetts, everything related to alcohol is controlled by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC). This agency is in charge of production, selling, and consumption.

While liquor and package stores are the go-to for beer, wine, and spirits, there are some other options as well. In Massachusetts, you can buy beer and wine at grocery and convenience stores like Trader Joe's, Roche Bros, Wegman's, and Stop & Shop, though the specific products they offer may vary. For instance, the Stop & Shop in Malden offers full liquor, while the one in Quincy does not. Additionally, some gas stations in Massachusetts sell beer and wine.

If you're looking for a wider selection of beer, you might want to try a specialty beer store, like the Fenway Beer Shop in Boston.

Frequently asked questions