The Best Beer-Buying Spots In Massachusetts

Massachusetts has some interesting liquor laws that can make it difficult to determine where you can buy beer. While grocery and convenience stores are allowed to sell wine, beer, and liquor, the number of licenses a single business entity can hold is restricted. This means that some supermarkets sell beer, while others don't. For example, some Stop & Shop stores in Massachusetts sell alcohol, while others don't. Additionally, the type of license a store has may limit the kind of alcohol they can sell, with some stores only permitted to sell beer and wine. If you're looking to buy beer in Massachusetts, your best bet is to head to a liquor store, as they are sure to have what you're looking for. Some grocery stores, such as Shaw's, Trader Joe's, and Wegmans, also sell beer, but it varies by location.

Supermarkets and convenience stores can sell beer

In Massachusetts, grocery and convenience stores are permitted to sell beer and wine between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. This includes large chain supermarkets like Walmart, although it is worth noting that in 2021, Walmart was only selling alcohol in two of its Massachusetts outlets, located in Ware and Raynham.

Massachusetts law does not define a "grocery store", but the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) states that grocery, package, and convenience stores may sell liquor, wine, and beer. 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 sales only.

The law restricting the number of licenses a single business entity can hold was changed by the state legislature in 2011 to increase the number of licenses from three to five, with an additional $5,000 state fee per license over three. This law has since been updated, and as of 2016, a single business entity could hold seven licenses, and nine as of 2020.

Some examples of supermarkets and convenience stores that sell beer in Massachusetts include Roche Bros, Stop & Shop (in Malden, Quincy, and Hingham), Wegman's, and Price Chopper.

Package stores in Massachusetts can sell wine, beer, and liquor

In Massachusetts, package stores, also known as off-licences, are the primary retailers of alcoholic beverages. These stores are licensed to sell wine, beer, and liquor for consumption off-premises. While grocery and convenience stores in Massachusetts can sell wine, beer, and liquor, they are subject to more restrictive laws and may only sell these alcoholic beverages during specific hours on certain days of the week. For instance, alcohol sales are prohibited before noon on Sundays and on election days while polls are open.

The laws governing the sale of alcohol in Massachusetts have been subject to legislative changes in recent years. Historically, the state's alcohol laws were considered old-fashioned, with some regulations remaining unchanged since 1933. One particularly unpopular law required individuals to present specific forms of identification, such as a Massachusetts driver's license, liquor identification card, military identification card, or a United States passport, to purchase alcohol. This law posed challenges for visitors to the state who did not possess the accepted forms of ID.

The state government task force has proposed various changes to the regulations and laws governing alcohol sales and consumption in Massachusetts. These include increasing taxes on alcohol, raising fines for citations related to alcohol, and banning price reductions on bulk items. These changes aim to make the purchase of beer, wine, and liquor more expensive while generating additional revenue for the state government.

The task force is also working to ease restrictions on businesses, making it easier for them to obtain licenses to sell wine, beer, and liquor. This move is intended to support businesses and modernise the state's alcohol regulations.

Alcohol sales are banned on election days

In Massachusetts, grocery and convenience stores can sell beer and wine from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, no alcohol sales are permitted before noon. It is also illegal to sell alcohol on election days while the polls are open.

Massachusetts has some of the most restrictive alcohol laws in the United States. The state prohibits the sale of alcohol to anyone under the age of 21, and it is a crime to use a false ID to purchase alcohol. It is also illegal to give alcohol to anyone under 21 who is not a family member. The penalty for attempting to buy alcohol if you are under 21 is a fine of $300 and a license suspension of 180 days.

The laws regarding alcohol sales in Massachusetts also apply to visitors, not just residents. An out-of-state driver's license is not considered acceptable proof of age, and visitors may be denied the right to buy alcohol if they cannot present a valid Massachusetts ID.

Massachusetts has strict laws regarding the number of liquor licenses that can be granted to businesses. Until 2011, a restriction limited the number of licenses that a single business entity could hold to three. This law was changed by the state legislature in 2011 to increase the number of licenses to five, with a $5,000 state fee per license for any licenses over three held by a business. The limit was further increased to seven licenses in 2016 and nine in 2020. However, the process of obtaining a liquor license in Massachusetts can still be complex and time-consuming, and many businesses choose to forgo alcohol sales rather than go through the permitting process.

Despite the complex laws surrounding alcohol sales in Massachusetts, there are still many places where you can purchase beer. Grocery and convenience stores that sell beer include Roche Bros, Stop & Shop (in select locations), Wegman's, and Price Chopper. Package stores, which are independent stores that sell alcohol, are also a common place to purchase beer in Massachusetts. In Boston, there are several well-reviewed liquor stores, including Happy Market & Spirits, Bacco's Wine and Cheese, and Total Wine & More.

Alcohol can be purchased online

There are some legal nuances to alcohol delivery services, as jurisdictions have had to set up specific permit types and laws to accommodate residential shipping. For example, in Massachusetts, you must be able to prove that you are at least 21 years old to receive an alcohol delivery.

In addition to online services, beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased in-store from a variety of outlets in Massachusetts, including package stores, grocery and convenience stores, and gas stations.

Alcohol cannot be sold before noon on Sundays

In Massachusetts, alcohol cannot be sold before noon on Sundays. This restriction applies to bars, restaurants, and hotels, which are categorized as "on-premises". However, there are some exceptions depending on the type of license these establishments hold. For example, certain licenses may allow them to open as early as 10 am.

This law is a remnant of the state's Puritan origins and the Blue Laws that were enacted to enforce Puritan ideals of a "moral" society. While Massachusetts has a reputation for being one of the most liberal states today, it was founded as the Massachusetts Bay Colony by Puritans seeking to establish a colony based on their extreme interpretation of Christianity.

The Blue Laws were meant to ensure that people observed the Sabbath by prohibiting work and business on Sundays. While most Blue Laws have been repealed in the United States, some states, including Massachusetts, still impose tighter restrictions on the sale of alcoholic drinks on Sundays.

In addition to the restriction on Sunday alcohol sales before noon, there are also laws in Massachusetts that prohibit alcohol sales on election days while polls are open and on certain holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The laws around alcohol sales in Massachusetts also vary depending on the type of establishment. Grocery and convenience stores, categorized as "off-premises", can determine their own hours on Sundays between 10 am and 11 pm (or 11:30 pm on the day before a legal holiday). However, there are restrictions on the number of licenses that a single business entity can hold for selling alcohol, which is why some supermarkets in Massachusetts don't sell alcohol.

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