Wyoming Beer and Alcohol Laws in 2023 (Sunday Sales, Delivery)

The Cowboy State may evoke the lawless period of the Wild West, but these days it’s not lawless by any means. There are plenty of beer laws in Wyoming. Whether you live or are visiting, you should know the state’s alcohol laws in 2023.

In Wyoming, you can buy beer, wine, and liquor every day of the week, including Sunday. Hours of sale are between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. for on- and off-premise consumption. Localities can decide the hours of sale, leading to variation across the state. Alcohol delivery and growlers are legal.

Keep reading to learn about the important alcohol laws you should know, including where you can buy a drink, DUI penalties, and open container laws.

Is Wyoming a dry state?

For a state to be considered dry, it must prohibit the production and sale of all alcohol. A state can also be considered dry if it heavily restricts the sale of alcohol. There are no states that match these criteria today.

Wyoming is not a dry state. It does not prohibit or heavily restrict the sale of alcohol.

Although there are no dry states, there are dry counties and towns in the US.

Does Wyoming have any dry counties?

Many states allow their localities the power to decide their wet or dry status. Some even allow their localities to specify what forms of alcohol are not permitted in the county or town.

There are no dry localities in Wyoming. The state of Wyoming does not allow its localities to prohibit liquor licenses.

There may be fewer options in some areas of Wyoming, but you should be able to buy alcohol throughout the state.

When can you buy beer in Wyoming?

While you can buy alcohol anywhere in the state, you can’t do so 24/7. Restricting the times you can buy alcohol is one way that states can restrict alcohol without changing their wet status.

Prior to 2017, Wyoming set the hours of sale for alcohol between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. In 2017, this restriction was appealed. Today the 23 counties and various localities can set the hours of sale. This has allowed for many variations.

It is a safe bet to assume that the 6 a.m. until 2 a.m. hours of business are the same in major population centers. Be sure to check the local hours for smaller towns as they may be more strict.

Can you buy beer on Sunday in Wyoming?

When a state restricts business hours for alcohol retailers more on Sunday this is labeled a Blue Law. These laws are often religiously motivated. Several states still have these laws today.

Wyoming does not have any state requirements for reduced hours or closures on Sundays. Some localities may be more restrictive but generally, you can buy alcohol on Sunday.

Chances are that the Sunday hours are the same in most places in Wyoming.

When do bars close in Wyoming?

While there is some variation throughout the state, it is safe to assume when the latest bars will be open.

Wyoming bars close at 2 a.m. at the latest. Some localities may require bars to close earlier.

Be sure to check your local bars. Some bars may close earlier than 2 a.m. for other reasons.

Where can you buy beer in Wyoming?

Aside from restricting when you can buy a beer, wet states can still determine where you can buy alcohol. Some states are relaxed on this point and allow you to buy all types of alcohol in most retailers. Others are more restrictive and only allow some retailers to sell stronger alcohol.

The places you can buy beer in Wyoming include: 

  • Bars and restaurants
  • Gas stations
  • Grocery stores
  • Package and liquor stores
  • Breweries and taprooms

Each of these locations has rules and regulations it must follow. Below are some of the most important ones. Business hours may be restricted in some localities.

Bars and restaurants

Wyoming bars and restaurants can sell beer, wine, and liquor between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m.

Most sales must be for on-premise consumption. Alcohol delivery is an option.

Gas stations

Wyoming gas stations can sell alcohol any day of the week between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m.

All sales are for off-premise consumption. Additionally, all alcohol must be in its original packaging. 

Grocery stores

Grocery stores in Wyoming can sell beer, wine, and liquor from 6 a.m. until 2 a.m. any day of the week.

All sales are for off-premise consumption. All sales must also be in their original packaging. 

Package and liquor stores

Package and liquor stores in Wyoming can sell beer, wine, and liquor from 6 a.m. until 2 a.m. any day of the week.

All alcohol must be in its original packaging and sold for off-premise consumption.

Breweries and taprooms

Wyoming breweries can sell beer any day of the week from 6 a.m. until 2 a.m.

Alcohol sales can be for on and off-premise consumption. Off-premise sales can be in original packaging or growlers.

Breweries are especially likely not to be open for the full range that they are allowed.

Can you get beer delivered in Wyoming?

When you just don’t want to leave the house alcohol delivery is an amazing convenience. It saves time and effort. Best of all it is legal in most states today. 

Wyoming law allows alcohol delivery. The law does stipulate some limitations, which include:

  • Delivery can be completed by the licensee’s employees or a third-party service
  • Deliveries must be completed during regular business hours
  • Upon delivery, the customer must sign and provide proof of age
  • All alcohol must be in its original packaging or sealed with a tamper-evident seal

What is the minimum drinking age in Wyoming?

Wherever you go in the United States you will be met by the same legal drinking age.

The minimum drinking age is 21 in Wyoming.

Any minor attempting to purchase alcohol is breaking the law. However, there are sometimes exceptions to this minimum drinking age.

Can minors drink beer in Wyoming with parents?

One exception to the drinking age comes into play if a parent provides a drink to their charge. This exception isn’t recognized in every state, however.

Minors in Wyoming can drink with their parents. A parent or guardian may provide alcohol to their charges in a private residence.

This exception allows parents to educate their children on the effects and dangers of alcohol. Other common exceptions include religious, medical, and educational purposes.

State alcohol laws

The 50 sets of state alcohol laws all fall into two basic categories: control and license states. Control states are those that are directly involved in alcohol distribution and sale. These states often require all alcohol in the state to go through them. They may even run liquor stores.

License states are much more laid back. These states will also set laws governing alcohol but will not be directly involved in wholesaling. Instead, they will manage licenses.

Wyoming is a control state. The state directly controls wine and liquor wholesaling. The Wyoming Liquor Division decides what liquor and wine can be sold within the state.

For a control state, Wyoming is not as restrictive as some. It does not have any liquor stores it runs.

Drinking laws in Wyoming

Now that you know the laws surrounding the purchase of alcohol we need to go over what happens next. 

The drinking laws of Wyoming are less strict than in other states in some areas. Then the penalties for driving under the influence are fairly similar.

Most of the following laws are there to protect the general public. 

Can you buy growlers and other unsealed beer containers in Wyoming?

In order to take home draught beer, you need to be able to purchase and fill growlers. Most states allow growlers in some fashion though they may restrict things like size and where you can get it filled.

Growlers are legal in Wyoming. They cannot exceed 64 ounces in capacity and must be cleaned before refilling.

Growlers can be filled at breweries and brewpubs.

Open container

If the seal on a growler is broken, it becomes an open container. Wyoming, like most states, has laws that regulate the legality of open containers of alcohol.

It is illegal for passengers and drivers in motor vehicles to possess an open container. The open container must be in the trunk, truck bed, or behind the rearmost upright seat.

The only exception is passengers in the living area of a recreational vehicle. 

Driving

Open containers aside, it is illegal to drive while under the influence of alcohol. A DUI conviction comes with severe penalties in an attempt to discourage drunk drivers.

Wyoming determines the legal limits and penalties for a conviction based on the age of the driver. The situation and choices of the driver will also determine the penalties.

Subsequent convictions will increase the penalties.

Under 21 years old

The legal limit for drivers under 21 years old in Wyoming is 0.02% BAC.

A first conviction can come with the following penalties:

  • Fine up to $750
  • License suspension for up to 90 days

21 years and older

The legal limit for drivers 21 years old and older in Wyoming is 0.08% BAC.

A first conviction can come with the following penalties:

  • Fine up to $750
  • License suspension for 90 days
  • Jail time for up to 6 months

The legal limit is 0.04% for commercial vehicle drivers.

Plan on traveling? Check out all of the beer and alcohol laws by state on our interactive map!