Each state in the US has the power to set its alcohol laws. This creates 50 different sets of laws – more if you consider counties! What do Oregon’s beer and liquor laws look like in 2023?
In Oregon, you can buy a beer 7 days a week between 7 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. These hours are consistent across the state, though many businesses will not fully use them. The state controls liquor sales, as reflected by the limited hours that liquor stores may be open. Growlers and delivery are legal.
There are many peculiarities in each state’s alcohol laws. I will detail all the important aspects, such as when and where you can buy a beer and driving laws.
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Is Oregon a dry state?
Since a dry state would have to prohibit or severely limit the sale of alcohol, there are no dry states in the U.S. There have not been any for quite some time.
Oregon is not a dry state. It does place some restrictions on alcohol but does not prohibit it entirely.
The question is whether Oregon has any dry local charters, such as counties or cities.
Does Oregon have any dry counties?
Many states allow their localities the power to set their own rules regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol. Oregon is not one of these states. Its alcohol laws are set by the Liquor Control Act. As such, they are uniform across the state.
Oregon does not have any dry counties.
Wherever you go in the state, you’ll be able to buy a beer in one form or another.
When can you buy beer in Oregon?
Although you can buy a beer anywhere in the state, sometimes you cannot. In each state, there are typically hours when the sale of alcohol is illegal.
You can buy beer from both on and off-premise retailers from 7 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. the next day.
While the above range is the maximum hours a retailer may sell alcohol, most will not take full advantage of the time. Still, there should be either an on or off-premise retailer open at all times.
Can you buy beer on Sunday in Oregon?
Some states have separate hours of sale on Sunday. These laws, often called blue laws, are holdouts from heavily religion-driven laws. Oregon does not have any blue laws.
You can buy beer on Sunday at the same hours as any other day. Sunday alcohol sales are legal between 7 a.m. and 2:30 a.m.
Some businesses may have reduced hours or may even be closed on Sunday. These closures are not required by law and are likely the business owner’s decision.
When do bars close in Oregon?
Last call is very different across the country. Some states don’t have a hard limit, while others do. Oregon has a hard limit though it is not as restrictive as some.
Bars in Oregon close at 2:30 a.m. at the latest. Some bars may close earlier for various reasons.
Last call will be slightly before 2:30 so customers can finish their drinks and arrange rides.
Where can you buy beer in Oregon?
In addition to when, the where is just as important. Depending on how alcohol licenses are handled, you can only buy certain alcohol at certain retailers.
The places you can buy beer in Oregon include:
- Bars and restaurants
- Gas stations
- Grocery stores
- Package and liquor stores
- Breweries and taprooms
These locations come with their own rules and regulations. I will go over each one below and cover the important aspects.
Bars and restaurants
Oregon bars and restaurants can sell beer, wine, and liquor by the glass for on-premise consumption. Their alcohol sale hours are from 7 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. every day of the week. They can also sell beer, wine, or cider for off-premise consumption in growlers and part of to-go orders.
The only liquor that these retailers can sell for off-premise consumption is in the form of mixed drinks.
Gas stations
Gas stations in Oregon can sell beer, wine, and cider any day of the week from 7 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. All sales must be in their original packaging. Additionally, no alcohol may be consumed on the premises.
The gas station may sell growlers if it has the appropriate license and equipment.
Grocery stores
Oregon grocery stores can sell beer, wine, and cider 7 days a week from 7 am until 2:30 am.
Grocery stores must sell alcohol for off-premises use only. All alcohol must be in its original packaging.
Package and liquor stores
State-run liquor stores in Oregon can sell beer, wine, cider, and liquor every day of the week between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. All sales must be for off-premise consumption only. Alcohol must be in original packaging.
Since the liquor stores in Oregon are state-operated, they have more restrictive hours. Some locations may even be shut down on Sundays.
Breweries and taprooms
Oregon breweries can sell beer, wine, and cider for both on and off-premise consumption. They can do so between 7 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. Breweries can sell beer in growlers and fill customers’ growlers.
Breweries can sell their own beer as well as beer from other brewers.
Can you get beer delivered in Oregon?
You can get alcohol delivered in Oregon. This is a great convenience when planning a party or even if you just don’t want to leave the house.
Beer delivery in Oregon, while legal, has a few regulations to follow. The laws surrounding alcohol delivery include:
- Containers may not be larger than 2 gallons (liquor excepted)
- Deliveries must be made between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.
- Deliveries may be curbside, residential, or business locations
- Daily and monthly limits are dependent on alcohol and shipper type
- Mixed drinks to go must be accompanied by a meal
Third-party delivery services such as Drizly are legal in Oregon.
What is the minimum drinking age in Oregon?
There is one constant in the United States regarding alcohol laws: the legal drinking age.
The minimum drinking age is 21 in Oregon.
That said, exceptions occasionally allow individuals under 21 to drink.
Can minors drink beer in Oregon with their parents?
One of the more common exceptions to the minimum drinking age is parental approval.
Minors can drink beer with their parents in Oregon. The underage individual must be in a private residence with their parents or legal guardians.
Other common exceptions are religious ceremonies and medical reasons.
State alcohol laws
Oregon is a controlled state when it comes to alcohol. The state maintains a tight hold on all things related to liquor.
The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) manages all of the alcohol licenses in the state. They determine the times when alcohol may be sold, the markup for liquor at their package stores, and other regulations.
Since the OLCC regulations determine the state-wide laws, alcohol laws are pretty consistent in Oregon.
Drinking laws in Oregon
When it comes to the drinking laws surrounding alcohol, Oregon is fairly reasonable.
Oregon, like most states, has clear laws with strict penalties around drinking and driving. The state laws are meant to protect the general public.
Can you buy growlers and other unsealed beer containers in Oregon?
Growlers, usually unsealed glass jugs meant for beer, are a great way to take craft beer home. Unfortunately, some states have some rather draconian laws surrounding them.
Most, if not all, on and off-premise retailers are legally allowed to sell and fill growlers. If they are not, they can apply for a growler license. Growlers may be any size up to 2 gallons.
Despite the 2-gallon container law, there is no law that limits how many 2-gallon growlers may be filled. However, growlers are subject to open container laws.
Open container
Open container laws cover any open or unsealed container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.
In Oregon, having an open container within a motor vehicle is illegal. The container of alcohol must be in the trunk or a non-passenger area. This applies to drivers and passengers.
The only exceptions are passenger areas of commercial vehicles such as limos or the living area of a motor home.
Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol isn’t just a bad idea – it is also heavily penalized by Oregon’s laws.
Oregon determines the penalties and legal limits of intoxication based on the driver’s age. The circumstances involved will also affect the level of penalty.
Refusing a breath or blood test can come with extra penalties as Oregon is an “implied consent” state.
Under 21 years old
In Oregon, the legal limit for minors is 0% BAC. Any BAC in a minor driver is illegal.
The penalties for the first conviction can include:
- A fine of at least $260 and up to $1,000
- License suspension up to 1 year
- An alcohol education course
Additionally, many minors charged with a DUI can be penalized according to adult penalties.
21 years and older
Oregon’s legal limit for of-age drivers is 0.08% BAC or 0.04% for commercial vehicles.
The penalties for the first conviction can include:
- A fine of up to $1,000
- License suspension up to 1 year
- Ignition Interlock Device up to 1 year
- Jail time from 2 days to up to 1 year
- Community service of at least 80 hours
A BAC of over 0.15% within two hours of driving will increase the penalties.