Nevada is one of the most alcohol-permissive states. Public intoxication isn’t considered a crime, and young people can carry alcohol as long as an adult over 21 is with them.

This means drinking carefree won’t end with an automatic fine, and you can pick up a bottle of wine as part of your shopping and not worry that your child will force the store to reject you.

But are the regulations and distillery laws just as lax?

Most Important Nevada Liquor Laws

Buying Liquor

To drink in Nevada, you have to be an adult aged 21 or over. This includes liquor, spirits, wine, and beer.

As we said before, being drunk in public isn’t considered a crime, however, offenses often caused by drunken acts are. For example, the following crimes are usually committed by intoxicated people – public urination, trespassing, jaywalking, and breaching the peace.

These acts are still considered misdemeanors. Breaking these laws could put you in jail for up to 6 months or issue you a fine of $1,000.

Driving With An Open Container

Although you can walk around Nevada with an open container, it is still illegal to drive with one. This includes uncorked bottles and unsealed cans.

It doesn’t matter if the passenger is holding the can or if the containers are out of reach of the driver. This offense will be put upon the driver, giving them a misdemeanor. Again breaking these laws could put you in jail for up to 6 months or issue you a fine of $1,000.

You cannot drive while impaired by alcohol or with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher.

When Can You Buy Alcohol?

There are no time restrictions on buying or selling alcohol in this state. This includes Sundays. Although stores and bars may have their own restrictions, there are no laws that enforce a mandatory closing time.

Nevada Liquor State Fees

The state taxations are currently split into 3 categories – a wine tax, a beer tax, and a liquor tax.

Nevada Wine Tax

Wine vendors are responsible for paying the wine tax in Nevada. The fee is $0.70 per gallon. This doesn’t include the Federal tax.

Depending on the alcohol content, the Federal government includes its own taxations. For an alcohol content of 14% to 22%, the price is $1.30 per gallon. If the alcohol content is over 22% the figure jumps to $3.60 per gallon.

The general sales tax of 4.6% also applies to the purchase of wine.

This is the 25th highest wine taxation policy in the states, making it an average priced fee.

Nevada Beer Tax

Beer vendors are responsible for paying the beer tax. The fee is very low at just $0.16 per gallon. This doesn’t include the Federal tax which needs to be added to all beer being sold.

This price is the 17th cheapest in the US.

Nevada Liquor Tax

Liquor vendors are responsible for paying the liquor tax. This tax is very expensive, coming in at $3.60 per gallon. As with the others, this doesn’t include the Federal tax.

The taxation increases based on the alcohol content. For an alcohol content of 5% to 14%, there is an additional $0.70 per gallon fee. For an alcohol content of 15% to 22% the additional fee increases to $1.30 per gallon.

Small Brewery Tax Discounts

If you produce 2,000,000 barrels of beer or less in a calendar year, then you are considered a small brewery.

The taxation changes to accommodate your growing business. The first 60,000 barrels have a taxation charge of $3.50. Anything above 60,000, to the small business limit of 2,000,000, is charged at $16.00.

Nevada Liquor Licensing Requirements

Before you can apply for a license, you need to know which jurisdiction your business’s location falls into.

Click on this look-up tool to figure out your jurisdiction location. You can also search the Nevada Regional Business page.

Once you know your jurisdiction, you need to obtain a business license for the state. You can apply online using this link.

Now you have a business licensing number, you can register for taxation.

The fourth step uses all of the registration information you have acquired so far, to confirm your business name. Click here to register that name.

With all that completed, you can now apply for a liquor license. This includes Privileged Business Licenses, simple Alcoholic Liquor Licenses, and temporary Liquor Licenses.

Nevada Liquor Distillery Restrictions

From July 2021, breweries and distilleries were no longer allowed to ship their product straight to customers.

Wineries can still make DTC (direct to customer) shipments.

The changes come under the Senate Bill (SB) 307 amended Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 369.490.

Craft distillers are limited to selling 10,000 cases in the state, and 20,000 to other states and beyond. Sample sizes are limited to two ounces per day per person. This distinction is for taxation purposes.

Nevada Liquor Distillery Laws

Beer Making

So far, there is only one legal requirement – a valid permit. To get a valid permit you need to complete the licensing process mentioned above.

There is no exception or exemption from this permit, which means crafting alcohol at home also falls under this category.

Liquor Making 

With a Nevada Craft Distillery License, you can age, blend, store, and bottle the spirits you manufacture. This should be done from the agricultural raw materials in the local area.

You can also sell and transport the liquor in the state, however as said before this figure cannot exceed 10,000 cases.

Final Thoughts

Due to the recent change in Nevada distillery restrictions, Nevada is slowly becoming less fluid with their liquor laws. Where other states are relaxing their permit use and alcohol restrictions, Nevada is adding more layers to their laws.

If the new law affects your business directly, consider talking to a specialist lawyer to ensure your company is up to code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Drink Alcohol Anywhere In Nevada?

Although Nevada doesn’t prohibit drinking in public, there are some locations where drinking isn’t permitted. These places are:

• At a bus stop,
• 1,000 feet from where the closed container was purchased,
• 1,000 feet from a homeless shelter, bank, special care facility, hospital, school, or church

You may be fined or arrested for the misdemeanor, but most police officers will try and move you into legal premises.

Can You Buy Liquor In Nevada Grocery Stores?

Nevada allows the sale of liquor in grocery stores, however, each shop will have its own internal management style.