The Best Beer-Buying Spots In Connecticut

If you're looking to buy beer in Connecticut, you're in luck! Beer is available for purchase at grocery and convenience stores, as well as big-box stores like Walmart. Connecticut's alcohol laws permit adults aged 18 and older to purchase beer for off-site consumption, and there are no specific differences in regulations for beer compared to wine or liquor. It's important to note that alcohol sales are subject to specific timing restrictions, with package stores authorized to sell from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and until 6 p.m. on Sundays. Additionally, Connecticut has a minimum price law for wine and spirits, resulting in higher alcohol prices compared to neighbouring states.

Beer in grocery stores

Beer in Connecticut is available for purchase in grocery and convenience stores. Grocery stores are classified as off-premise sellers, meaning the alcohol they sell is intended to be consumed elsewhere. As a result, they can only sell beer in sealed containers.

Grocery stores in Connecticut can sell beer during the following hours:

• Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
• Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
• Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

However, they cannot sell beer on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day.

In addition to grocery stores, beer is also available for purchase at package and liquor stores, as well as bars and restaurants. Package stores sell wine and distilled spirits (liquor) in addition to beer, while bars and restaurants may serve alcohol for on-site consumption.

Beer at Walmart

If you're looking to buy beer at Walmart in Connecticut, you're in luck! Walmart offers a wide range of beer options that you can easily purchase in-store or online for pickup or delivery.

Buying Beer at Walmart Connecticut:

Walmart's beer selection includes various domestic and imported brands, such as:

• White Claw Hard Seltzer
• Truly Hard Seltzer
• Bud Light Seltzer
• Michelob ULTRA
• Corona Extra Beer
• Heineken Lager
• Blue Moon Belgian Wheat Ale
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
• Guinness Extra Stout

Connecticut Alcohol Laws:

It's important to note that Connecticut has specific laws regarding alcohol sales and consumption. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Connecticut is not a dry state, and alcohol sales are permitted.
• The legal drinking age in Connecticut is 21, and only adults aged 18 or older can serve alcohol in restaurants, tend bars, or sell alcohol for off-site consumption.
• Alcohol sales are permitted Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm and on Sundays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. These hours may vary for on-premise and off-premise sales.
• Grocery and convenience stores are allowed to sell beer, while package stores sell wine and spirits.
• Bars and restaurants can serve alcohol from 9:00 am to 1:00 am Monday through Thursday and until 2:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
• On-premise sales are not allowed on Christmas Day, and off-premise sales are prohibited on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Alcohol delivery services

If you're looking to buy beer in Connecticut, you can do so at grocery and convenience stores. If you're looking for spirits and wine, you'll need to head to a retail package store. Alcohol can also be purchased at bars and restaurants, breweries and taprooms.

Alternatively, you can get alcohol delivered to your door in Connecticut. Minibar Delivery, Saucey, and Instacart all offer alcohol delivery services in the state. Minibar Delivery and Saucey can deliver in as little as 30 minutes, while Instacart offers one-hour deliveries. Saucey also offers scheduled deliveries, which can be ordered up to seven days in advance.

Alcohol sales on Sundays

In Connecticut, the sale of alcohol is subject to a variety of regulations, including the days and hours in which alcohol can be sold. While individual towns may set more restrictive hours, the state has specific time ranges when the sale of alcohol is legal.

On-premise sales, which refer to bars and restaurants where alcohol is intended to be consumed on the premises, are allowed during the following hours:

• Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
• Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
• Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

On-premise sales are prohibited on Christmas Day unless the retailer also sells food, in which case regular hourly restrictions apply. On New Year's Day, the cutoff point is extended to 3:00 a.m.

Off-premise sales, where alcohol is intended to be consumed elsewhere, are allowed in liquor and grocery stores during the following hours:

• Monday to Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Off-premise sales are illegal on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

While the state of Connecticut allows the sale of alcohol on Sundays, individual towns may impose additional restrictions. Therefore, it is important to check the local regulations in the specific town or area you are visiting to ensure you are aware of any variations in the alcohol sales laws.

The legal drinking age in Connecticut is 21, and it is illegal to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under that age. However, minors are allowed to consume alcohol with the consent and supervision of their parents or guardians. Additionally, individuals under 21 are prohibited from driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) above 0.02%.

Alcohol sales in restaurants

In Connecticut, beer, wine, and spirits are available for purchase at various licensed retailers, including grocery and convenience stores, package stores, and restaurants. The state's alcohol industry is vibrant and diverse, featuring over 40 distilled spirits producers and bottlers, more than 120 breweries, and over 40 wineries.

Connecticut has specific regulations governing the sale and service of alcohol in restaurants. Here are the key points to remember:

Permitted Hours for Alcohol Sales: On-premise alcohol sales in restaurants are allowed during the following hours:

• Monday to Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
• Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

• Age Requirements: Only adults aged 18 or older are permitted to serve alcohol in restaurants. The legal drinking age in Connecticut is 21, and it is illegal to sell or serve alcohol to anyone below this age.
• Sealed Containers for Off-Premise Consumption: Restaurants are allowed to sell sealed containers of alcohol for off-premise consumption. This includes draught beer (growlers) but is limited to 4 liters per person per day.
• Food Requirement: Alcohol sales must be accompanied by food prepared on the premises.
• Delivery and Takeout: Restaurants can now permanently offer alcohol for delivery or takeout as part of a food order. Alcohol must be sealed, except for growlers, and the order must include food.
• Licenses and Permits: Restaurants must have the appropriate licenses and permits to sell alcohol. These permits are issued by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection's Liquor Control Division.
• Liability: Restaurants and their employees can be held liable for selling alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals who subsequently cause accidents, such as driving under the influence. The liability is higher if the customer is under 21.
• Penalties for Underage Sales: Selling alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 is illegal and carries penalties of up to a $1500 fine and/or up to 18 months in jail.
• Minimum Pricing Laws: Connecticut is the only state with mandatory minimum pricing laws, requiring retailers to sell alcohol at a minimum margin above wholesale cost and prohibiting volume discounts.
• Dry Towns: It's important to note that until 2014, Bridgewater was a dry town, and it is still illegal to sell beer, wine, or spirits there.

Frequently asked questions