Maryland's Beer Buying Options: Where To Go?

Maryland's alcohol laws are complicated and vary by county, with 24 counties in the state, each with its own specific regulations. Generally, buying beer and wine at chain grocery stores is restricted due to a 1978 statewide prohibition. However, there are some exceptions, with a handful of chains being grandfathered into the law, and certain counties having different rules. For example, in Montgomery County, a control district county, off-premise liquor sales can only be conducted at county-owned and operated stores, while beer and wine sales can be made by licensed retail accounts, including a few grocery stores. On the other hand, Prince George's County, which is not a control county, allows each grocery store chain to choose one location to sell beer and wine, with the rest being limited to liquor and convenience stores. These varying laws can make it challenging for residents and visitors to know where they can purchase beer, and there have been efforts to reform Maryland's beverage alcohol laws to grant more freedom to grocery and chain stores.

Beer can be bought in some grocery stores in Montgomery County

Montgomery County is what is known as an "alcohol-controlled" or "control district" county, meaning the county heavily regulates the distribution and sale of alcohol. Off-premise liquor sales can only be conducted at county-owned and operated stores. Beer and wine sales may be made by licensed retail accounts, including the four grocery stores mentioned above, whose licenses were in place before the laws changed. Non-county-owned licensed retail outlets can also sell beer and wine in Montgomery County.

The Maryland Retailers Association has been encouraging the public to lobby lawmakers to change the law to allow the sale of beer and wine in grocery and convenience stores. They argue that Maryland is one of the last states to prohibit the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores, and that consumers should have more choices. However, critics argue that allowing grocery stores to sell beer and wine would negatively impact small, local liquor stores.

While the sale of beer in grocery stores in Montgomery County is currently allowed due to the grandfather clause, the future of beer sales in grocery stores across Maryland is uncertain. Proposed legislation to expand beer and wine sales to grocery stores has been met with both support and opposition, and it remains to be seen whether any new laws will be passed.

Beer can be purchased online and delivered to your door

While Maryland law prohibits the purchase of beer and wine in grocery stores, there are some exceptions. A limited number of local standalone liquor stores can offer beer and wine delivery through sites like Drizly, but this is subject to county regulations and restrictions.

Some proposed changes to Maryland's alcohol laws could make it easier to buy beer online and have it delivered. For example, State Senate Bill 763 and House Bill 996, which did not pass, would have allowed expanded licensing for beer and wine sales in food retail stores. Additionally, Maryland's alcohol distribution is governed by a 1978 law that denies alcohol licenses to chain and discount stores and limits licenses to Maryland residents. However, some stores were grandfathered into this law, which is why some grocery stores in Montgomery County, such as the Giant grocery store in White Oak, are able to sell beer and wine.

Beer can be bought in liquor stores

The state's alcohol distribution is governed by a 1978 law that explicitly denies alcohol licenses to chain and discount stores and limits licenses to Maryland residents, who can only hold one license. This means that generally, buying beer at chain grocery stores is restricted. However, there are a handful of stores that are exempt from this restriction due to a grandfather clause in the law. These stores, mostly located in Montgomery County, include Giant Food, Safeway, Shoppers Food & Pharmacy, Magruder's, Bestway Supermercado, and 7-Eleven.

In Prince George's County, which is not an alcohol-controlled county, there are no specific liquor store restrictions. However, consumers cannot purchase beer in most grocery stores. Each grocery store chain in the county may choose one of its locations to sell beer and wine, but beyond that, beer, wine, and spirits can only be purchased at liquor stores and convenience stores.

There have been recent efforts to change the law and allow grocery and convenience stores to sell beer and wine. The Maryland Retailers Association has been encouraging the public to support this change, arguing that it would provide more choices and convenience for consumers. However, critics argue that it could negatively impact small liquor stores. As of 2021, the proposed bill was still in the early stages and had not been passed into law.

Beer can be bought in convenience stores in some counties

Maryland's alcohol distribution is governed by a 1978 law that explicitly denies alcohol licenses to chain and discount stores. However, some stores were grandfathered into the law, which is why certain grocery stores in Montgomery County, such as the Giant grocery store in White Oak, are permitted to sell beer and wine.

The Maryland Retailers Association has been advocating for legislative changes that would allow the sale of beer and wine in grocery and convenience stores. They argue that Maryland is one of the last states to prohibit such sales and that consumers deserve more choices and uniform standards across retail locations.

Proposed State Senate Bill 763 and House Bill 996 sought to expand licensing for beer and wine sales in food retail stores, but the bill did not pass. The Maryland Retailers Association continues to lobby for legislative changes that would grant consumers more choices and convenience when purchasing beer and wine.

Beer can be bought in breweries

In Prince George's County, there are no similar liquor store restrictions, but consumers still cannot purchase beer at many grocery stores. Each grocery store chain may choose one of its locations in the county to sell beer and wine, and beyond that, beer, wine, and spirits can only be bought at liquor stores and convenience stores.

Maryland's alcohol distribution laws, established in 1978, explicitly deny alcohol licenses to chain and discount stores and limit licenses to Maryland residents, who can only hold one license. However, some stores were grandfathered into the law and are allowed to sell beer and wine, such as the Giant grocery store in White Oak, Montgomery County.

The Maryland legislature has defined different types of breweries, including production breweries, microbreweries, and pub breweries, each with its own rules for serving and selling beer to consumers. For example, on-site beer consumption at a production brewery is limited to a total of 500 barrels of beer per year, and a consumer may be served six three-ounce samples if they are on a tour or at an event. Maryland also restricts off-site consumption, allowing consumers to purchase up to 288 ounces of beer (a single case of 12-ounce bottles) or fill a 64-ounce growler during a tour or event.

There have been efforts to change Maryland's alcohol laws to allow grocery and convenience stores to sell beer and wine. The Maryland Retailers Association has encouraged the public to support these changes, arguing that it would provide more choices and convenience for consumers. However, critics argue that it could negatively impact small liquor stores. As of 2021, proposed bills to expand licensing for beer and wine sales in food retail stores had not passed.

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