Texas has some weird alcohol laws; how about your state?

[HighInTheMtns]

Totally makes sense. Just goes to show how much religion enters into my thoughts. I don't really have a sense for the culture out there in Utah, just for the natural landscapes and amazing backpacking out there. I'll never forget the chuckle I had when I popped the top on my first Polygamy Porter and read the message on the bottle cap, reminding me, "Why have just one?" Excuse my ignorance in my last post, but as a bartender and drinker I'd really be annoyed by that law.

Bartenders and drinkers alike are really annoyed by that law. As it happens, an effort was just made to change it, but that effort failed: http://m.ksl.com/index/story/sid/24384035

[doubleblank]

The weirdest one I was aware of in Texas is that parents or legal guardians could bring underage children into bars and they were allowed to drink, if the parents gave permission.

I thought my leg was being pulled on this, but I talked to an attorney who said it was no joke.

Parents can order drinks for their underage children in Texas.......but it's up to the individual bar owners to decide whether to allow it or not. Many choose not to.

Here's another funny one here. Restaurants can't serve alcohol to you on Sunday untill 12 noon. Unless you also order food at the same time......then they can serve beginning at 11:30 am.

[squire]

Now I can see where the change to Daylight Savings Time can be useful.

[SFS]

Now I can see where the change to Daylight Savings Time can be useful.

Which brings up another memory. When I lived in NC, the bars closed one hour later during EDT, because the law about serving hours specified EST. That's been a long time ago, so it could have changed since I left.

[p_elliott]

Here's my favorite Iowa rule inmates on parole etc. can not go into establishments that sell alcohol. All hard liquor in Iowa has to be bought by liquor stores etc. from the state. Guess who works in the state liquor warehouse? Inmates.

[Borchard]

PA's are pretty simple., If you want a good bottle, travel to another state or order it online from the only vendor allowed to ship to the state (which is the state itself)

The only thing i remember about PA was when i was there about 6 years ago I couldn't find anywhere to buy some beer for my hotel room. I ended up going into a BAR and walking out with a six-pack. Apparently, bars in PA CAN sell TO-GO?

[callmeox]

Bars and beer distributors are your source for take home beer in PA.

Bars can sell 6 packs and distributors deal in case lots.

It is a very profitable law for bar owners.

[Josh]

Get behind me Satan.

What's the difference between a Baptist and a Methodist?

Methodists make eye contact when they see each other in the liquor store.

[Smokewagon]

I used to think Oklahoma's laws were the worst, until i started travelling for a living and realized that several states have, what I consider to be, jacked-up liquor laws.

In Oklahoma:

-Liquor stores can NOT sell ANYTHING that doesn't have alcohol in it; like bottle openers, wine glasses, stoppers, etc... The law, from what I've been told by store owners, says that liquor stores can only sell "intoxicating beverages". And, according to Oklahoma law, 3.2 beer is NOT considered an intoxicating beverage. That's why OK liquor stores do not sell Bud, Coors, etc...

[HighInTheMtns]

Note that "3.2" beer is a measurement of alcohol by weight. This is actually 4% ABV beer. Not a lot less than a typical Bud Light or whatever.

[squire]

Josh, Methodists speak to each other at the liquor store.

[squire]

Paul your story about inmates working in the liquor warehouse but being banned from a store when paroled makes perfect bureaucratic sense.

[bigtoys]

The weirdest one I was aware of in Texas is that parents or legal guardians could bring underage children into bars and they were allowed to drink, if the parents gave permission.

I thought my leg was being pulled on this, but I talked to an attorney who said it was no joke.

Wisconsin has this law, too.

I once had a stopover in Dallas coming home from Mexico with 5 bottles of tequila. Had to clear customs there. The customs officer said they want you to buy your alcohol in Texas and the limit was two bottles. I said I'm just passing through; I was willing to pay the duty; I probably could have just walked through and not been searched. I thought I was gonna lose some tequila that wasn't even available in the USA. Anyway, after the lecture, he let me through; no duty, all my tequila intact. Quite a relief.

[Borchard]

This statement is not 100% accurate. Beers like Bud, Coors, etc are all over 3.2 in most states. These companies make beer at 3.2 ABV specifically for Oklahoma (and a few other states) so it can be sold in grocery and convenience stores. The reason you don't see the higher ABV versions from the big brewers actually has to do with the way wholesaling/distribution is set up for alcoholic beverages (Remember if it is under 3.2, it is non alcoholic and nto subject to the wholesale/distribution laws for alcoholic beverages).

Oklahoma has an open system system for wholesaling. Companies must sell to every wholesalers in the state for the same price. Anheuser-Busch, Miller, and Coors, require a franchise agreement be in place with all wholesalers/distributors. They aren't going to sell the strong (Over 3.2) stuff in Oklahoma until the current system is done away with and replaced with something like what most other states have: territory/franchise system.

~SW

[Bigspur2011]

In SC liquor stores have to close at 7pmand no Sunday sales. Also when they do tastings of different spirts in stores no store employee can be involved, it has to be some represenitive from the distributor.

[HighInTheMtns]

Utah drinks behind the curtain is because the LDS church and Mormons control the Utah State legislature and agenda. They don't drink and don't like others to. They don't want their members to even be tempted be seeing drinks poured.

[squire]

Jim all we can do is face such adversity braced with strong drink.

[HighInTheMtns]

Jim all we can do is face such adversity braced with strong drink.

At least I only have to pay for my drink now.

[p_elliott]

More on this, taken from ksl.com:

Utah is known to run aggressive sting operations, sending minors who are employed by the state into bars where they are far more persistent than a kid with a fake ID who is scared of getting busted. Bars have been forced out of business over these fines without serving alcohol to a minor, just by being tricked by a state employee.

This "offset" idea is a constant in Utah liquor politics. Up until 2009, any bar that sold liquor (we also have "taverns" which sell only 4% ABV beer) was required to be a private club - anyone could join, but they had to charge for memberships. So you had to pay for the privilege of drinking liquor (at each bar you went to) before even buying a drink. When they finally did away with that weird alcohol law, the offset was the Zion Curtain. No matter what good change is made, a bad change accompanies it. Every time. And THAT is really the weirdest thing about alcohol laws in Utah.

They do this in Iowa too and with cigarettes as well.

[Smokewagon]

Note that "3.2" beer is a measurement of alcohol by weight. This is actually 4% ABV beer. Not a lot less than a typical Bud Light or whatever.

Correct, I mistakenly stated ABV instead of ABW.

~SW

[Old Dusty]

No Sunday sales in Indiana. Liquor stores are closed and the big boxes/CVS etc cant sell. Most either rope off their alcohol aisles or post signs. Exceptions for restaurants bars wineries and brewpubs.

[smknjoe]

I've never lived any place where they DID sell whiskey on Sunday (retail.)

[squire]

More reason to stock up.

[higgins]

You can buy liquor here in Virginia and some parts of Maryland on Sundays. It's a pretty recent change, however.

[smknjoe]

I've lived in Va. and WVa. Do they sell on Sunday in WVa. now?