Best Beer-Buying Spots In Maryland

Maryland has some unique laws regarding the purchase of beer and wine. While you can buy beer and wine on Sundays, it is restricted to freestanding alcohol stores, and only in certain counties. Maryland alcohol laws vary considerably by county, and currently, most grocery stores are not permitted to sell alcohol due to a 1978 prohibition. However, there are some exceptions, with a handful of chain stores permitted to sell beer and wine, including 7-Eleven and Safeway.

Where to buy beer in Maryland

Beer in Maryland can be purchased from liquor stores

Maryland is one of the few states that restrict beer and wine sales to liquor stores, and there is a push to change this law to allow grocers, wholesale clubs, pharmacies, and convenience stores to sell beer and wine. The Maryland Retailers Association has encouraged the public to lobby lawmakers to draft a bill that would allow this. The bill would require grocery stores and markets to be more than 6,000 square feet and devote more than 50% of floor space to food to be eligible to sell beer and wine.

While Maryland's alcohol laws may soon be updated to allow beer and wine sales in grocery and convenience stores, it is currently primarily liquor stores that are licensed to sell beer. There are also some exceptions for certain grocery stores under a grandfather clause, and some microbreweries are permitted to sell pre-packaged beer directly to consumers.

The minimum age to buy or consume alcoholic beverages in Maryland is 21, but there are some exceptions. Underage individuals who work for businesses with a valid liquor license may possess alcohol but not consume it during their job, such as serving drinks in a restaurant or stocking shelves in a liquor store. Alcohol may also be possessed or consumed by an underage person in a private residence if allowed by a member of their immediate family.

Beer cannot be bought at grocery stores in Maryland

While this law is still in place, there are some exceptions. A few grocery stores in Montgomery County have one store each that sells beer and wine under a grandfather clause. These include a Giant store in Silver Spring, a Safeway in Olney, and a 7-Eleven in Aspen Hill.

In addition, there are some rural counties in Maryland, such as Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester, and St. Mary's, where beer and wine can be purchased in grocery stores.

There is currently a movement to change the law and allow beer and wine sales in grocery stores across the state. Advocates point to the fact that almost 80% of Marylanders support the change, and that it would bring increased revenue and tax income to the state.

Until the law is changed, those looking to buy beer in Maryland will have to stick to liquor stores, or the handful of grocery stores that are exempt from the ban.

Beer can be bought on Sundays at freestanding alcohol stores

Beer and wine lovers in Maryland have to plan their shopping carefully, as the state has some of the most restrictive alcohol laws in the country. Maryland is one of only a handful of states that restrict beer and wine sales to liquor stores, and it is illegal for grocery and chain stores to sell alcohol. This is due to 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.

However, beer can be bought on Sundays at freestanding alcohol stores in some counties. The hours permitted in these counties are 8:00 am - 11:00 pm, but local stores may have reduced hours for Sunday trading. It's important to check the local store's hours of operation before heading out. Some counties, such as Baltimore and Prince George's County, do not allow beer and wine retail sales on Sundays.

Maryland's alcohol laws vary by county, and the state legislature has defined different types of breweries, each with its own rules for selling beer to consumers. For example, a pub-brewery (or brewpub) must be located directly adjacent to the brewery itself and must serve food. There is a limit of 2,000 barrels of production per year for these brewpubs.

There have been recent efforts to change Maryland's alcohol laws to allow grocery and convenience stores to sell beer and wine. A proposed bill would require grocery stores and markets to be more than 6,000 square feet and devote more than 50% of floor space to food to be eligible to sell alcohol. However, critics argue that this change could negatively impact small liquor stores.

Beer can be delivered to residents' doors via sites like Drizly

Beer lovers in Maryland, rejoice! You can now get your favourite beverage delivered straight to your door, thanks to online liquor stores like Drizly. That's right, no more running to the store or worrying about where to buy beer in this fine state – Drizly has got you covered with its wide selection of beer, wine, and liquor.

Maryland has some unique laws surrounding the purchase of beer and wine. It is one of the few states that restrict beer and wine sales to liquor stores, with a statewide prohibition on buying these drinks at chain grocery, wholesale, pharmacy, and convenience stores. So, if you're looking to stock up on beer, you'll usually need to head to a liquor store – unless you use a delivery service like Drizly.

Drizly partners with local stores across Maryland to offer a huge variety of beers, wines, and liquors for delivery. You can shop from any device, and Drizly will deliver your order in under 60 minutes – now that's what we call convenient! Plus, you can rest assured that alcohol delivery is perfectly legal in the cities and states served by Drizly. They've been in the business since 2012, so they know what they're doing.

Of course, there are a few things to keep in mind when ordering alcohol for delivery. You'll need to show a valid ID to the driver, but don't worry, it can be scanned contactlessly for added safety. Also, keep in mind that delivery is subject to county regulations and restrictions, so be sure to check the rules in your area. But don't let that stop you from enjoying a cold one when you want it – Drizly is here to make your good times even better!

Beer can be bought at breweries, including production breweries and microbreweries

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Firstly, a small number of grocery chains have been grandfathered into the law, including Giant Food, Safeway, Shoppers Food & Pharmacy, Magruder's, Bestway Supermercado, and 7-Eleven. These stores are permitted to sell beer and wine. Secondly, some microbreweries in Maryland are now allowed to sell pre-packaged beer directly to consumers. Examples of these include Evolution Craft Brewery in Salisbury and Denizens Brewing Company in Silver Spring.

Maryland's legislature has defined different types of breweries, each with its own rules for selling beer. Production breweries, for example, are major industrial operations that produce more than 22,500 barrels of beer annually and are licensed as such. Microbreweries, on the other hand, are smaller-scale operations that have recently been allowed to sell beer directly to consumers.

It is important to note that alcohol laws in Maryland vary by county, and there are specific regulations for Sundays. For example, in some counties, beer and wine can only be purchased at freestanding alcohol stores on Sundays, and the permitted hours are typically from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm. Additionally, Baltimore and Prince George's counties do not allow beer and wine retail sales on Sundays.

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