A Simple Guide To Indiana's Alcohol Laws

I talk about Indiana's blue laws and more in this commentary about the Hoosier state.

When it comes to the great Hoosier state, there are some things that everyone needs to know.

We're not perfect -- there are some things that we all have to deal with on a very personal level. Last time I write a Buzzfeed article about beer, it was a celebration -- this time, I'm going to get a bit more serious.

Indiana is the only remaining U.S. state to ban all Sunday alcohol sales outside of bars and restaurants.

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That's right -- from liquor stores to Target to your local mom & pop grocery store, the state prevents any sale on Sunday.

Restaurants and bars that sell alcohol must have enough food on hand for 25 people

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We're talking a minimum of hot sandwiches, soups, coffee, milk, and soft drinks. Watch out, Hot Pockets count as hot sandwiches too -- if your your local bar is serving hot pockets, run. Run away now.

Indiana is the only state with alcohol temperature restrictions

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In the Hoosier State, only package liquor stores are permitted to sell cold beer. At convenience and grocery stores, the beer must be room temperature.

Yeah, that's harsh.

Matthew Tulley of the Indy Star wrote up an informational article about how dumb the laws are:

In response, some comments I found online:

There is an exception! Microbreweries can sell cold, carryout beer on Sundays:

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As per the law, breweries have the right to sell beer on Sundays -- if you happen to live close to one, that may be your only hope to buying some on the weekend. Most Hoosier breweries are open after noon.

So if you want to drink on Sunday, get your alcohol on Saturday or head on over the border.

As Sara Wittemeyer said on NPR,