Best Beer Buying Options In Massachusetts

If you're looking to buy beer in Massachusetts, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, the state has specific laws governing the sale of alcohol, which can be bought every day of the week. The legal drinking age is 21, and those under the influence of alcohol while driving will be charged with a DUI. Beer can be purchased from a variety of retailers, including bars, restaurants, package and liquor stores, and breweries, each with their own regulations and permitted operating hours. For example, off-premise retailers can sell beer between 8 am and 11 pm Monday to Saturday, while on-premise retailers can operate from 8 am to 2 am during the same period. On Sundays, the sale of alcohol is restricted to specific hours, and there are also restrictions on election days, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Supermarkets and convenience stores

In Massachusetts, beer and wine are available in convenience stores and grocery stores. These are known as off-premises licensed stores, meaning that alcohol cannot be consumed on the premises.

In Massachusetts, grocery stores are not defined by law, but they are allowed to sell wine, beer, and liquor. However, during the local approval process, a city or town may limit the license to sell alcohol for off-premises consumption to beer and wine only.

Massachusetts grocery/liquor stores can sell alcohol from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Some examples of grocery stores that sell alcohol in Massachusetts include Roche Bros, Stop & Shop, Wegman's, Price Chopper, and Shaw's. However, it is important to note that the availability of alcohol in supermarkets varies and is subject to local regulations and licensing restrictions.

The laws regarding alcohol sales in supermarkets in Massachusetts have evolved over time. Initially, supermarkets were not allowed to sell alcohol due to restrictions on the number of licenses a single business entity could hold. In 2011, the state legislature changed this law, increasing the number of licenses from three to five, with an additional $5,000 state fee per license over three. The number of licenses has continued to increase over the years, reaching seven in 2016 and nine in 2020.

The process of obtaining a license to sell alcohol in Massachusetts can be complex, and each municipality has a total number of liquor licenses it can grant. The licenses are categorized as "pour" licenses for restaurants and pubs, "one-day" licenses for special events, and "package goods" licenses for stores. Applicants must meet various standards, including demonstrating that a majority of their board members are Massachusetts residents. The permitting process can be time-consuming and costly, which may deter some grocery stores from pursuing liquor sales.

Bars and restaurants

Massachusetts has some unique laws regarding the sale of alcohol. For instance, each municipality has a total number of liquor licenses it can grant, and there are different types of licenses for different establishments. "Pour" licenses are for restaurants and pubs, "one-day" licenses are for events like carnivals, and "package goods" licenses are for stores. The applicant must meet specific standards, and the process can be costly and time-consuming, which is why many grocery stores in Massachusetts choose not to sell alcohol.

Another interesting law in Massachusetts is that supermarkets were previously prevented from selling alcohol due to a restriction on the number of licenses a single business entity could hold. However, this law has changed over time, and now supermarkets can sell beer and wine, although the number of stores per chain that can sell alcohol is still limited.

Package and liquor stores

In Massachusetts, beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased at package and liquor stores for off-premise consumption from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, these stores are permitted to sell alcohol between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.

These stores are allowed to offer small samples of alcoholic beverages to customers. However, all alcohol must be sold in its original packaging, and open containers of alcohol are not permitted in vehicles and must be placed in the trunk of a car.

Massachusetts has specific regulations regarding the sale of alcohol in grocery stores and supermarkets. While some grocery stores, such as Roche Bros, do sell beer, the law restricts the number of licenses a single business entity can hold. This means that larger supermarket chains may choose to leave liquor sales to specialized stores due to the permitting process and cost. For example, Stop & Shop, a popular supermarket chain in Massachusetts, only sells alcohol in a limited number of its stores.

The state of Massachusetts grants localities the power to vote on their dry status, and there are currently eight dry towns in the state with varying limitations on alcohol sales. However, Massachusetts is not considered a dry state, and individuals over the age of 21 can purchase alcohol every day of the week.

Breweries and taprooms

Massachusetts is home to nearly 200 craft breweries, with Boston alone boasting 15 breweries within the city proper, and another 15-20 in the surrounding cities, towns, and neighbourhoods.

Massachusetts breweries and taprooms can sell beers that they have made for both on- and off-premise consumption. Sale hours are limited to 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, these hours are from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m.

• Trillium Brewing Company: With a three-level brewpub in Fort Point, a seasonal beer garden on the Greenway, and a seasonal Fenway location, Trillium is one of the most hyped haze-makers in Boston.
• Aeronaut Brewing Company: With locations in Somerville and Everett, Aeronaut brews a long list of innovative beers with unique flavours. It also serves as a community space, with a range of programming supporting arts and culture, plus live music and events several times a week.
• Night Shift Brewing: Head to Everett to see why Night Shift has developed a strong following for its diverse portfolio: lagers, IPAs, milk stouts, saisons, weisses, porters, small-batch limited releases, and hard seltzers.
• Harpoon Brewery and Beer Hall: One of New England's original craft breweries, Harpoon is now one of the biggest craft producers in the US. Find a range of beers on tap, including limited-release pilot brews, beers under the Clown Shoes brand, and house-fermented City Roots hard cider.
• Cambridge Brewing Company: Established in 1989, this is the oldest brewery-restaurant in Boston. You'll find classic styles of beer, as well as unusual brews like a corn lager or a sake-beer hybrid, all served up in a gastropub venue.
• Dorchester Brewing Co.: Dorchester Brewing spans a 9,000-square-foot space, which includes a taproom serving up 20 of Dorchester's freshest brews, as well as a gameroom, restaurant, and Hopservatory—an all-season rooftop greenhouse with city views.
• Democracy Brewing: With vaulted ceilings, exposed brick walls, and a cave-like ambiance, this downtown brewpub serves up fresh beer, locally sourced pub fare, and economic sustainability for its employee-owners. Beers range from pale ales to porters to stouts.
• Lamplighter Brewing Co.: With a taproom in a leafy stretch of Broadway, Lamplighter's taproom is a relaxed spot to catch up with friends over New England IPAs, a selection of barrel-aged sours, or funky experimentals. Lamplighter also hosts live music, trivia nights, and other events throughout the year.
• 67 Degrees Brewing: Located in Franklin, this suburban standout is one of only half a dozen Black-owned breweries in Massachusetts. Hazy IPA lovers should not miss Route 140, a New England-style sipper hopped with fruity Citra, Mosaic, and Azacca buds.
• Bent Water Brewing Company: Lynn's only brewery offers a dog-friendly patio and frequent programming like retro arcade game nights, live music, and taproom yoga.
• Brato Brewhouse + Kitchen: The Allston-Brighton area's first brewery pairs innovative beers with chef Jonathan Gilman's house-made sausages, grilled cheese sandwiches, and tasty vittles.
• Castle Island Brewing Company: Named after the South Boston neighbourhood, this lively spot has a local snack menu to complement tons of rotating pop-up food vendors, and hosts fun events like comedy nights and axe throwing.
• Exhibit 'A' Brewing Company: A 40-minute drive or Commuter Rail ride will take you to this Framingham brewery, where longtime Massachusetts brewer Matthew Steinberg crafts original beers like the Cat's Meow IPA, Goody Two Shoes Kolsch, and Briefcase Porter.
• Idle Hands Craft Ales: From their comfortable taproom in Malden Center, Idle Hands offers a range of beers, from exquisite Belgian styles to baseball-themed New England IPAs.
• Jack's Abby Craft Lagers and Springdale Beer: Before Jack's Abby got started in 2011, American craft beer had all but left lagers behind. Now, they pioneer the India pale lager style and bring attention to less-heralded German styles.
• Lord Hobo Brewing Company: After establishing some of the Bay State's more celebrated beer bars, Daniel Lanigan got into the brewing game with the clear mission of creating New England's go-to IPA.
• Mighty Squirrel Brewing: If you're looking for beers suited to an active, outdoorsy lifestyle, Mighty Squirrel is the place to go. Enjoy a fruity, juicy Cloud Candy IPA or a Velvet Moon milk stout in their taproom, which features plenty of outdoor space and regular visits from food trucks.
• Samuel Adams Boston Brewery: Now the second-largest craft brewery in the US, this Boston-born brand remains a favourite among beer lovers. Their Jamaica Plain location features an outdoor beer garden and a real taproom, while their Faneuil Hall taproom offers a more contemporary space spread over three levels, including an outdoor rooftop deck.
• Turtle Swamp Brewing: With locations in Jamaica Plain and Roslindale, Turtle Swamp Brewing welcomes everyone as if they were a friendly neighbour. Built in a former mechanic's garage, the brewery features an indoor taproom and an outdoor, dog-friendly patio. Food trucks provide sustenance as you sip on a wide range of brews.

Online

In Massachusetts, you can buy beer online and have it delivered to your door. Drizly is one such service, offering same-day delivery of beer, wine, and liquor. However, there are a few requirements for delivery: the driver must carry a copy of their permit, the customer must be 21 or older, and they must sign for the delivery and verify their age.

Massachusetts has relatively relaxed laws regarding the sale of alcohol. Beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased every day of the week. From Monday to Saturday, alcohol is available from bars and restaurants between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m., and from convenience stores between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. On Sundays, alcohol can be purchased from bars between 10 a.m. and 12 a.m., and from liquor stores between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.

The state grants localities the power to vote on their dry status, and there are currently eight dry towns in Massachusetts with strong limitations on the purchase of alcohol. Additionally, there are hour restrictions on specific days: no off-premise alcohol sales are permitted on election days while the polls are open, and on Memorial Day, no alcohol sales are allowed before 12 p.m. On Thanksgiving Day, on-premise alcohol sales are permitted, but off-premise sales are prohibited, and on Christmas Day, all alcohol sales are banned.

Massachusetts has various options for purchasing beer, including bars and restaurants, package and liquor stores, and breweries and taprooms. Each type of retailer must follow specific regulations. For example, bars and restaurants can sell beer, wine, and liquor for on-premise consumption, and can offer samples, but happy hours are illegal in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts gas stations can sell alcohol between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, and between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Sundays. Grocery stores can also sell alcohol during the same hours as gas stations, and like other off-premise retailers, they can offer alcohol samples to customers of legal drinking age. All alcohol must be sold in its original packaging.

Package and liquor stores in Massachusetts can sell beer, wine, and liquor for off-premise consumption during specified hours, and they can also offer samples as long as they are small. Breweries and taprooms can sell beer that they have made for both on-premise and off-premise consumption, and they can fill growlers as long as they are blank or have their logo.

Frequently asked questions