Does Every Aldi Location Sell Alcohol?

Aldi, like it or not, isn't your typical grocery store. Shipping boxes display stock in the aisles, and the store has a top secret (kind of) five-day expiration policy that can help you rack up big discounts on perishables if you get lucky. You can save money at Aldi in a number of ways, which may lead you to question whether you can buy booze at your local Aldi store while you're on a budget-minded grocery run. Unfortunately, there isn't a cut-and-dry answer. Aldi does not sell hard liquor, but your ability to buy even beer and wine at Aldi depends on where you live. As Aldi itself confirms, some states and municipalities don't allow grocery stores to sell alcohol, which means you wouldn't be able to find it at Aldi.

Different municipalities have different rules regarding which entities can legally sell alcohol. It's not always the same even within state lines, as these laws can vary from town to town. Those variances can be dramatic, too. For instance, some states flat-out don't allow grocery stores to sell anything harder than wine and beer, while other states allow spirits to be sold on grocery store shelves. Ever wondered about the difference between grocery store and liquor store beer? It has nothing to do with taste and everything to do with these somewhat arbitrary restrictions. Meanwhile, there are also "blue laws" that prohibit or heavily restrict the sale of liquor on Sundays and even certain church holidays. Your best bet is to do a bit of homework and check up on both your state and town laws to determine what restrictions there might be on alcohol sales.

As is the case with most products, you can save some coin shopping at Aldi when it comes to beer and wine. When it's allowed, Aldi stocks both popular and esoteric brands, and the savings can really add up. A peek at the Aldi alcohol webpage reveals a wide selection of wines, including red, white, sparkling, and rosé varieties, along with specialty wines like peach, pineapple, and even chocolate. As for beers, Aldi's stock includes pilsners, lagers, and session IPAs, and that's just scratching the surface. You can even find hard seltzer, hard cider, and hard root beer.

Again, your ability to stock up or fall in love with a new wine or beer is dependent on local restrictions when it comes to buying booze at the grocery store. Keep in mind, however, that there may be quirky rules on the books that make the matter more arcane than you assumed. In Massachusetts and Alaska, for example, alcohol may not be sold on Election Day during polling hours. Beers sold in Utah may contain alcohol that's no higher than 5% by volume. Some states allow the sale of beer at grocery stores, but no wine. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there is Nevada, which allows alcohol sales at any hour of the day — currently, it's the only American state to do so. What we have learned here is that liquor laws are tricky business, inside Aldi or out.