North Carolina Beer and Alcohol Laws
Every state has its own set of beer laws which you are required to know when traveling into different states. Failure to follow these laws can result in penalties likes fines, jail time or suspension of license. However it is not always easy to find out this information.
Not to mention some states have dry counties and towns and limits on when beer and alcohol can be sold.
So before you go heading into a store looking for a six pack only to be told its too early, or late, here are some laws you should know for the state of North Carolina.
During What Hours Can Beer Be Sold in North Carolina?
In North Carolina beer can only be served between 7 am and 2 am from Monday through Saturday. Sunday has had its own special hours limiting beer sales till after noon however during covid beer sales were allowed to start at 10am due to the “Brunch Bill”. While originally meant for restaurants the hours are now followed by grocery stores.
It is illegal for any establishment to sell beer or any alcohol after 2 am including all bars and clubs. Bars may allow their customers to continue drinking until 2:30 am.
While this is a statewide set of hours some counties or towns may have rules further limiting the hours of alcohol sales.
Where Can You Buy Beer, Wine or Liquor in North Carolina?
Beer and Wine can be sold at grocery stores, gas stations, breweries, wineries and other places which have a license to sell beer.
Liquor sales are permitted only in ABC Stores (Alcoholic Beverage Control) which are state run and operated.
How Much Alcohol Can You Buy At One Time?
Bars and restaurants are only allowed to sell your two beers at any one time and are also limited to just one mixed drink at a time. The Fayetteville Observer also found that when buying without having a permit you are limited to the following: no more than 80 liters of malt beverages, other than draft malt beverages in kegs; no more than 50 liters of unfortified wine; no more than 8 liters of fortified wine or spirituous liquor, or eight liters of the two combined. (Source)
Are Happy Hours Legal in North Carolina?
Due to the growing concerns over drunk driving and high levels of intoxication happy hour sales of beer are illegal in North Carolina. Happy Hour Specials must only be attached to the sale of food and all beer must be sold at the same price the entire day. The North Carolina ABC website says “An on‐premise permittee or his agent shall not give away a drink or sell the drink for any period of time less than one full business day.”
The reason for this is the concern that drink specials will encourage heavy drinking and possible driving while intoxicated. NC happy hour laws also prohibit such promotions as bottomless mimosas.
Open Container Laws In North Carolina
While driving in North Carolina you are not allowed to have an open container in your vehicle. Basically once the seal is broken it can not be anywhere in the passenger area of the vehicle. It is permitted to transport open containers in the truck and sealed bottles or cans are allowed in the passenger area.
This law has exceptions such as the passenger area of buses and in mobile homes and RV’s.
North Carolina recently changed its laws regarding walking around with beer. Cities and towns are allowed to create their own “social districts” which allow for outside consumption of alcohol.
As of 2022 it is not a crime to be intoxicated in public in North Carolina. While you can not be arrested for this, you can be detained for personal safety reasons or escorted back to your home.
Blood Alcohol Limit in North Carolina
It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol limit (BAC) that exceeds 0.08% and for those driving commercial vehicles or repeat offenders the limit is lowered to just 0.04%.
Those driving school buses or for anyone under 21 their is a zero tolerance policy across the state.
For anyone exceeding the limits the penalties include a minimum 30 day suspension of license, between $200-$6000 in fines and 60-200 days in jail.
Can Beer Be Delivered in North Carolina?
Alcohol can be delivered in North Carolina in all areas where alcohol sales are permitted. This means if you live in a dry area you will not be able to have your beer delivered. Stores can only deliver within 50 miles of their locations.
Check out Drizzly.com for more info on beer deliveries in North Carolina and see their wide selection of beer.
Are There Dry Counties in North Carolina?
As of 2022 North Carolina does not have any dry counties. Graham County was the last dry county in the state but finally allowed for the sale and consumption of alcohol in 2021 making all 100 counties now beer friendly. There may still be some dry towns and villages within the state and some resorts do not allow for the sale of alcohol.
Conclusion
While there are various laws limiting the sale or consumption of alcohol in North Carolina the overall laws are relatively straightforward and have only been relaxed over recent years. This likely explains the explosion of craft breweries across the state (Asheville has the most per capita in the US).
So crack open a can and relax with that deliciously bubbly adult beverage.
*Disclaimer: Hops Hunters has provided this info solely for reference and is not to be taken as legal advice. Laws change regularly and it is up to you to check the laws and regulations of your location.
