Alabama Alcohol Laws

Alabama has some of the toughest alcohol-related laws in the United States. Two out of every three counties are dry, which means that alcohol cannot be produced, distributed or sold. You should familiarize yourself with Alabama alcohol laws in order to avoid the penalties that come with an alcohol-related charge. If you have been charged with an alcohol-related crime, you should speak with an experienced Alabama defense attorney to learn more about your charges and the possible penalties.

In counties that allow the sale and distribution of alcohol, alcoholic beverages must be sold in state-owned establishments, often referred to as ABC stores or package stores. Beer and wine may be sold in grocery and convenience stores. Wine containing an alcohol content of 14% or more may only be sold in a package store. Beer must not contain more than 6% alcohol by volume.

Alcohol may be sold 6 days a week, 24 hours per day, unless county regulations say otherwise. Selling alcohol is prohibited after 2 a.m. on Sunday. Package stores must obtain an off-premise license, which makes it illegal for people to drink alcohol on the store property. Bars and restaurants that have an on-premise license must stop serving alcoholic beverages at 2 a.m.

The legal drinking age in Alabama is 21 years old. The minimum age for a bartender or server in a restaurant that serves alcohol is 19 years old. The minimum age to transport, sell, and handle wine and beer in a grocery or convenience store is 16 years old.

Alabama Open Container laws make it a crime for drivers and passengers in a vehicle to have an open container of alcohol where it can be easily accessed; open container must be placed in the vehicle’s trunk. Passengers may not consume alcohol in a vehicle if it is on a public roadway or the shoulder.

Operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher may result in a driving under the influence (DUI) charge. The penalties for DUI may include jail time, probation, alcohol education classes, fines, and a driver’s license suspension. A fourth DUI offense may be classified as felony, and is punishable by time in a state prison.

If you have been charged with violating one of Alabama’s alcohol laws, please contact The Whitney B. Polson DUI Defense Office today.