Maryland Alcoholic Beverage Market: Regulations, Statistics, Trends, and Wholesalers
Here at Park Street we service many clients located in Maryland. Which is one of the reasons why we stay up to date with regard to sales trends, laws, and consumption in state. In this guide below, we provide you with statistics as well as answers to every popular question related to buying and selling alcohol in the state of Maryland..
Additionally, we cover topics like the three-tier system in Maryland, the most popular brands and sales changes overtime and more. Learn which distributors operate in the state as well.
Consumption Trends In Maryland
Maryland is a state that’s attractive to many within the industry due to consumption growth. You will find charts showcasing the growth in consumption broken down by beer, wine, and spirits. The data is displayed over a five-year period. There’s been a +1.49% CAGR for spirits, +0.81% CAGR for wine, and -1.03% CAGR for beer over this particular 5-year period.
Maryland Spirits Consumption from 2015-2020 by 9-Liter Cases
Maryland Wine Consumption from 2015-2020 by 9-Liter Cases
Maryland Beer Consumption from 2015-2020 by 9-Liter Cases
Maryland Spirits Volume By Category – 2020 Data
Spirit trends in Maryland by volume and dollar sales in 2020.
| Category | Volume Sales Thousands, 9-liter cases |
Dollar Sales Millions |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Whiskey | 562 | 139 |
| Canadian Whisky | 257 | 114 |
| Scotch Whisky | 196 | 87 |
| Irish Whiskey | 65 | N/A |
| Gin | 320 | 103 |
| Vodka | 1562 | 465 |
| Rum | 555 | 181 |
| Tequila | 278 | N/A |
| Cordials/Liqueurs | 439 | 131 |
| Cocktails | 148 | N/A |
Source: Beverage Information Group
Maryland Wine Volume Sales By Category – 2020 Data
Wine trends in Maryland by volume sales in 2020
| Category | Volume Sales Thousands, 9-liter cases |
|---|---|
| Table | 5800 |
| Champagne & Sparkling | 263.7 |
| Dessert & Fortified | 126.6 |
| Vermouth & Aperitif | 23.4 |
Source: Beverage Information Group
Maryland Beer Volume Sales By Category – 2020 Data
Beer trends in Maryland by volume sales in 2020
| Category | Volume Sales Thousands, 2.25 Gallon Cases |
Volume Sales barrels |
|---|---|---|
| Craft | 5.3 | 172.3 |
| FMBs & Hard Seltzer | 3.3 | 107.3 |
| Super & Super Premium | 5.0 | 161.0 |
| Light | 14.4 | 464.4 |
| Popular | 2.1 | 69.3 |
| Imported | 6.9 | 223.4 |
Source: Beverage Information Group
The Top 10 Spirits Brands
In Maryland
- Tito’s Handmade Vodka
- Hennessy
- Smirnoff
- Bacardi
- E & J
- Jim Beam Family
- Captain Morgan (excludes Parrot Bay)
- New Amsterdam Vodka
- Fireball
- Jack Daniel’s
The Top 10 Table Wine Brands
In Maryland
- Coming Soon
The Top 10 Domestic Beer Brands
In Maryland
- Coming Soon
Alcoholic Beverage Distributors Located In Maryland
In Maryland and the rest of the USA, alcohol is sold through what’s known as the three-tier system. Within this system are importers and wholesalers. They are considered the middle tier. These middle tier businesses send sell products to distributors who end up selling the products to retailers. The retailers then sell to the consumers. Again, it’s required that all sales take place within the three-tier system in the United States.
Keep reading below to learn all about the distributors operating in the state of Maryland. Need more info on every alcoholic beverage distributor in the US? Check out the full list of distributors or fill out the contact form provided.
Wine & Spirits Distributors
Coming Soon
Beer Distributors
Coming Soon
More Distributors in Maryland (A-Z)
Coming Soon
Self-Pitch Distribution Model
One of the hardest problems with brand development in the US is frequently stated as finding a suitable distributor.
There are hundreds of brands, but there are now fewer distribution businesses to select from in each area as a result of industry consolidation.
So, using Park Street’s self-pitch distribution approach is one of the options accessible to up-and-coming companies.
The self-pitch distribution model is comparable to the three-tier conventional distribution model in that goods is distributed to retailers, but the main distinction is that the supplier is in charge of sales and marketing.
Selling Alcohol In Maryland
In the state of Maryland, all matters pertaining to the regulation of alcoholic beverages are governed by the Alcohol Tobacco Commission of Maryland, a department operating under the purview of the Department of Finance and Administration. It is essential for those seeking to engage in the sale of alcoholic beverages in Maryland to have a comprehensive understanding of the relevant laws and regulations. Please note that these laws may vary on a county-by-county basis. The following provides responses to frequently encountered queries related to the sale of alcoholic beverages in MD. Should you require further clarification or assistance, kindly contact us.
FAQs on Maryland Beer, Wine & Spirits Sales
What are the policies regarding the sale of alcohol on Sundays in Maryland?
Maryland has a lot of local laws related to the sale of alcohol on Sundays. Most Maryland counties don’t allow the off-premise sale of alcohol on Sundays, but those that do allow the sale of alcohol on Sundays do from 11 AM to 12 AM.
What are the hours retailers can sell alcohol in Maryland?
Each Maryland county has different alcohol sales hours.
What are the alcohol laws in Maryland?
People in Maryland must be over 21 to purchase alcohol, and anyone caught selling alcohol to underage people faces a fine between $1,000 and $2,5000. People over 18 can serve wine and beer but can’t serve spirits in Maryland.
Driving under the influence is prohibited, and the legal BAC limit is 0.08%. Drivers under 21 can’t have any alcohol in their blood, otherwise they are facing a fine. There is also an open container law in Maryland, and boating under the influence is also an offense punishable by a fine and a year in jail.
Do Walmart, Target, and CVS sell alcohol in Maryland?
CVS, Walmart, and Target stores in different Maryland counties adhere to local laws and limitations.
Do they sell liquor, wine, or beer in grocery stores in Maryland?
Because of local laws and limitations, grocery stores in most Maryland counties don’t sell beer, wine, and spirits.
Do they sell liquor, wine, or beer in gas stations in Maryland?
Because of local laws and limitations, gas stations in Maryland don’t sell beer, wine, and spirits.
What is the alcohol excise tax in Maryland?
Maryland charges the following alcohol excise tax:
Beer Tax – $0.09/gallon; 9% sales tax; $0.2333/gallon tax in Garrett County
Wine Tax – $0.40/gallon; 9% sales tax
Distilled Spirits Tax – $1.5/gallon; 9% sales tax
The Maryland alcohol excise taxes are mandatory, added to the Federal alcohol excise taxes, which are as follows:
Beer Federal Excise Tax – $18.00/31-gallon barrel, or $0.05 per 12-oz can
Wine Federal Excise Tax – $1.07 to $3.4/gallon; $0.21 to $0.67/750ml bottle
Distilled Spirits Federal Excise Tax – $13.5/proof gallon or $2.14/750ml 80-proof bottle (40% ABV).
Buying Alcohol In Maryland – Hours, Locations & Taxes
FAQs on Buying Beer, Wine & Liquor in Maryland
Can you buy liquor in grocery stores in Maryland?
No, you can’t buy liquor in Maryland grocery stores, as the local laws prohibit the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores, and only Maryland residents can obtain an alcohol sales permit.
Can you buy alcohol in gas stations in Maryland?
No, you can’t buy alcohol in Maryland gas stations.
Does Maryland Allow direct-to-consumer shipping?
You can get alcohol delivered to your home in Maryland via licensed third-party services. However, the client must provide adequate proof of age upon delivery, proving they are over 21.
What times can you buy liquor, wine, or beer in Maryland?
In most Maryland counties, you can buy alcohol from Monday to Saturday from 6 AM to 2 AM, while Sunday sales vary greatly.
Can you order alcohol to go in Maryland?
Maryland officially allowed alcohol-to-go with any food order in May 2021, but some municipalities still have to accept this rule.
Where in Maryland can you buy alcohol off-premise?
People in Maryland can buy alcohol for off-premise consumption from licensed local retailers, as no franchised establishment can get an off-premise license. Also, people can order alcohol from restaurants and bars where they’ve already ordered food.
Source – Marylandtaxes.gov, Wikipedia.gov
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