Buying Beer In Indiana: Where To Go?

Indiana's alcohol laws have been described as archaic and obsolete, at times contradictory, and often confusing. They are a legacy of Prohibition, and of the end of Prohibition, which allowed states to set their own rules. Indiana is not a dry state, and there are no dry counties in the state. However, the town of Shipshewana in Lagrange County is mostly dry by custom. In 2011, a gas station chain attempted to apply for an alcohol permit and was quickly petitioned against by the residents.

Indiana allows on-premise retailers to sell beer, wine, and liquor between 7 a.m. and 3 a.m. seven days a week. Off-premise retailers can sell alcohol between the same hours from Monday until Saturday. On Sundays, they are restricted to 12 p.m. through 8 p.m. On-premise retailers include bars and restaurants, while off-premise retailers are liquor and grocery stores.

Beer in grocery stores

Indiana's alcohol laws have been described as "archaic and obsolete, at times contradictory, and often confusing". They are a legacy of Prohibition, and of its end, which allowed states to set their own rules.

Indiana is not a dry state. The state government does not prohibit or heavily restrict the sale or consumption of alcohol. However, Indiana's alcohol sale hours are restricted.

Beer can be bought in grocery stores in Indiana. Alcohol can be sold between 7 am and 3 am throughout the week. However, alcohol sales at grocery stores are limited from noon to 8 pm on Sundays.

Indiana, along with 25 other states, allows alcohol to be sold at grocery stores. Grocery stores in Indiana can sell alcohol seven days a week. Monday to Saturday, they can do so between 7 am and 3 am. On Sundays, they can sell alcohol between noon and 8 pm. They cannot sell alcohol for on-premise consumption.

Like other off-premise retailers, grocery stores must sell alcohol in its original packaging. Depending on the licence of the grocery store, they can provide samples. The sample size depends on the alcohol but, in general, can't be bigger than 1 ounce. Like gas stations, grocery stores can't sell cold beer. It has to be room temperature.

Beer in gas stations

Indiana's alcohol laws have been described as \"archaic and obsolete, at times contradictory, and often confusing". They are a legacy of Prohibition, and of the end of Prohibition, which allowed states to set their own rules.

Beer can be purchased at gas stations in Indiana, but there are some peculiar restrictions. Gas stations and grocery stores are only permitted to sell room-temperature beer. This is due to the influence of the liquor store industry, which has fought to keep the law in place to protect its market share.

However, gas stations have found some creative ways to circumvent the law. One method is to sell reusable "Chill Indiana bags" that will make beer cold "by the time the customer reaches their destination". These bags are sold for $6.99, and customers can bring them to participating gas stations to refill with ice for free.

Another method used by Ricker's convenience store was to sell burritos in a small restaurant area within their gas stations. This enabled them to obtain a restaurant liquor license, which allows them to sell cold beer.

It is worth noting that Indiana's alcohol laws are constantly evolving, and there may be changes in the future. For example, since March 4, 2018, alcohol can be purchased from liquor stores, groceries, pharmacies, and convenience stores from noon to 8 pm on Sundays.

Beer in bars and restaurants

Indiana's alcohol laws have been described as "archaic and obsolete, at times contradictory, and often confusing". They are a legacy of Prohibition, and of the end of Prohibition, which allowed states to set their own rules.

Beer can be purchased in bars and restaurants in Indiana from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. any day of the week. Beers can be sold in bottles, cans, and on draft, though cans and bottles must be opened by employees. Restaurants can also sell alcohol in to-go orders with a few restrictions.

Bars and restaurants in Indiana must close to the public at 3 a.m. every day of the week. There is no legal requirement to close earlier, but bars may close earlier for a variety of reasons.

Bars and restaurants that sell beverages by the "drink" must have food service for a minimum of 25 people available at all times. It is also unlawful for these establishments to provide discounts on alcohol to certain customers or at certain times of the day (e.g. during "happy hour") that are not available to everyone.

In response to COVID-19, Governor Eric Holcomb relaxed policies around ordering alcoholic drinks with takeout orders. Restaurants that were only allowed to sell alcohol for on-site consumption were permitted to sell carryout drinks. These new regulations were designed to provide some relief to bars and restaurants that were struggling to survive. As of April 29, 2021, these temporary provisions were made permanent.

Indiana is one of the many states that has moved to relax certain restrictions in order to promote sales and help support bars and restaurants.

Beer in breweries and taprooms

Indiana is an attractive market for suppliers looking to gain exposure and market share. While it may not be the top state in terms of consumption, it is still an appealing prospect for emerging and established brands. Beer lovers in Indiana can enjoy a variety of options, from sitting down at an Elkhart brewpub or a Columbus taproom to visiting one of the many breweries and taprooms in the state.

One such place is Bier Brewery & Taproom, a family-owned business operating in Noblesville, Carmel, and Indianapolis. Bier Brewery prides itself on its commitment to quality and has a mantra of "Quality, quality, quality." They craft unique water profiles as a base for each beer, ensuring balance and subtlety in all styles. Bier Brewery invites customers to "Come Taste Our Awesomeness today!"

Indiana Brewery Map is another great resource for locating breweries, wineries, and distilleries throughout the state. Their interactive map allows users to find these establishments near them or view them all together on the same map. This is especially useful for those who want to explore different options or plan a beer-tasting journey.

Indiana's alcohol laws have been described as archaic, contradictory, and confusing. They are a result of the state's history with Prohibition and the subsequent changes made over time. While there have been efforts to update these laws, the process is ongoing, and some restrictions remain in place. For example, the sale of cold beer for carryout is limited to package liquor stores and breweries that brew beer on-site.

Beer delivery

Legal Status:

Available Platforms:

Drizly, a Boston-based tech company, has partnered with Indiana's largest liquor store chain, Big Red Liquors, to offer a convenient smartphone app for alcohol delivery. The app allows customers to order beer, wine, or liquor and have it delivered directly to their doorstep in under an hour.

In addition to Drizly, other platforms like Instacart provide alcohol delivery services in Indiana. Instacart connects customers with personal shoppers who purchase and deliver their desired beer, wine, liquor, and any extras like mixers or soda.

Delivery Options:

Most delivery services in Indiana offer same-day delivery, with some even providing delivery within 60 minutes of placing an order. These platforms may also offer contactless delivery options, where the order is left at the customer's door, and ID verification is done through scanning or manual entry.

Payment and Tipping:

Payment methods may vary, but many platforms accept credit cards, with the option to keep your card details on file for future purchases. While tipping is usually optional, it is highly encouraged to show appreciation for the delivery service.

Age Verification:

To comply with state laws, all delivery platforms will require age verification upon delivery. Customers must be at least 21 years old to order and receive alcohol. A valid photo ID, such as a driver's license, military ID, state-issued identification card, or passport, is required to complete the delivery.

Availability and Timing:

The availability of beer delivery services may vary by location within Indiana. While some platforms operate in specific cities, others cover a wider range of areas. Delivery timings can also vary, with some offering deliveries as early as 9 AM and as late as midnight.

Retailer Options:

In addition to dedicated delivery platforms, some retailers in Indiana may offer their own delivery services. Big Red Liquors, for example, provides delivery from select store locations, with free delivery for the first three orders.

In-Store Purchases:

For those who prefer in-store purchases, Indiana allows the sale of beer, wine, and spirits in grocery stores, which is not the case in most other states. Alcohol can be purchased from liquor stores, groceries, pharmacies, and convenience stores, with specific hours for carryout alcohol sales on Sundays.

Frequently asked questions