Let’s be honest, going grocery shopping on a boring afternoon sometimes turns into an afternoon of stocking up for a party with friends thanks to the convenience of having alcohol right next to essentials, and while we recommend keeping alcohol consumption to a minimum and be responsible about it, this article will be all about beers, wine and more.
Aldi is definitely popular, but with all that variety surely there is a good amount to choose from when it comes to alcoholic beverages right? well if you are curious, this article is for you!
Does Aldi Sell Alcohol?
Yes!, Aldi sells anything from beers to wine and specialty items, however sometimes it does seem to be a bit restrained by specific state laws. Still, you’ll find that the alcohol variety in Aldi stores is enough to satisfy its customer needs.
If you want to learn more about what types of alcohol they sell and how good are the brands they offer, we will dive deep into the specifics, so stick around to learn more about alcohol shopping in Aldi.
What Type of Alcohol Does Aldi Sell?
If you are hoping to find lots of variety in terms of alcohol, you will be setting yourself up for disappointment. That is not to say there is not a good amount for you to choose from, but just keep your expectations in check.
Aldi stores mostly sell beer and wine under imported labels and some original labels that you can find as Aldi Finds or limited offers.
The selection will also slightly vary depending on the location of the store, for example, you will find a lot more variety in their wine collection in California, and some locations offer craft beer, so if you want to know more about what they offer in a specific store or city, you should use the store locator from their website or the app.
There is a specific type of wine that is exclusive to Aldi customers, Winking Owl, this is once again an Aldi original brand.
You’ll be able to get Cabernet, Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, White Zinfandel, red blend, Moscato, and more under the Winking Owl label.
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Where Does Aldi Sell Alcohol in the United States?
Aldi states officially that they have beer and wine in every store in the US that they can, which means that some state and local laws may prevent them to sell alcohol in some places.
There is also a whole process behind being able to sell liquor in a grocery store which includes a limited amount of liquor licenses, and if they are all taken then the store requesting permission won’t be able to get it.
The best thing you can do is to use the Aldi store locator so you can verify if the store has alcohol or not
What’s the Quality of the Beer and Wine at Aldi?
Aldi has partnerships all around the world that allow them to get their hands on a good variety of beers from different breweries.
You will be happy to know that Aldi’s beer is quite good, and it has some great reviews online with people claiming that a lot of the beers that you can get at their stores are replicas of other famous beers but better!
Among their selection of beer, there is one that stands out from the rest for Eric Sadovnick, a certified cicerone from LA, he says that:
It’s a really impressive beer, and I think it stands up to dozens if not most of the international pilsners that have flooded the global market from Germany
Then he goes on to describe it in more detail by saying:
The malt and hops are so well balanced. It’s true to type with a nice long finish and a depth of flavor. The aroma carries over to the flavor. It’s an excellent beer to not get too fussy about and drink on its own or pair with light-bodied cured or raw cuisine. It’d actually be great after a hike or bike ride.
Is Aldi Wine Good?
Aldi’s wine gets some mixed reviews, for example, you will find bad and mediocre reviews for some Winking Owl wines but some great amazing reviews on others like Shiraz Winking Owl wine.
Still, it’s important to note that Aldi’s wine is very cheap, and that is one of Aldi’s specialties, so while you can get good quality wine, don’t expect something worthy of the most prestigious prizes in the world.
According to sommelier Jon McDaniel, founder of Second City Soil in Chicago, he says about the 2020 Sunshine Bay sauvignon blanc from Marlborough:
I couldn’t tell you the last time I had a wine under $8 that I enjoyed, but that all changed with this sauvignon blanc,” McDaniel admits. “This is probably the best wine that Aldi has in the store! New Zealand is one of my favorite places in the world to visit, and Marlborough always produces delicious wines of great value. This is a very bright, crisp wine that’s like drinking adult lemonade with a dry finish. It’s so tasty and dangerously drinkable, you may need to pick up a few bottles.
This price and quality value is one of Aldi’s main driving forces, so if you were wondering if they deliver in the alcohol department, they do, even though some prefer to buy wine elsewhere.
What States Don’t Sell Alcohol at Aldi?
The following states have strict laws preventing the sale of alcohol at Aldi’s:
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
If you live in any of these states, unfortunately, you won’t be able to get alcohol at Aldi.
Where is the Alcohol Located in Aldi?
Alcohol is located near the entrance at most Aldi’s. It’s not a very large section but there is a lot of alcohol available in that small area.
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Is There a Limit to How Much Alcohol You Can Buy at Aldi?
There used to be a four-item limit on beer wine and other alcoholic beverages, however in 2020, Aldi decided to lift the item limit. It’s not clear whether or not, they’ll continue selling alcohol without the limit or if they will go back to a specific item limit for alcohol.
Does Aldi Sell Alcohol Online?
Yes, you can purchase alcohol online through instacart, but keep in mind that there are more regulations than a regular purchase, such as verifying your age and some other extra steps, but if you want the alcohol delivered to your location in the US, you can!
How to Order Alcohol Via Instacart
Instacart offers alcohol delivery service for a few retailers and grocery stores, thankfully Aldi is one of them, but what do you need to do in order to get alcohol delivered to you?
- Customers must be 21 years or older to order liquor items and provide a valid photo ID showing their date of birth upon delivery.
- We cannot add special alcohol applications.
- Once the liquor item has expired, your buyer will contact you to obtain a replacement permit. If the buyer does not receive authorization, he will return the items.
- Consumers can only add alcohol to replace other intoxicants.
You need to keep in mind that there are still some special restrictions due to state laws and other alcohol considerations.
- You won’t be able to verify ID manually in California.
- You can’t receive alcohol if you are intoxicated.
- Green cards cannot be used to verify your ID through a scan, sit must be manually entered.
- If for some reason you don’t meet all the requirements and the purchase was already made, then you’ll be able to get a refund after the order is canceled, however, you may have to pay for delivery fees.
You will also get a refund if the items you order are damaged, has a broken seal or there is a cracked or broken bottle.
Can You Return Alcohol to Aldi?
If you want to return alcohol, you’re going to have to go to the store with your receipt and ask if it’s possible to return it. There is no universal Aldi alcohol return policy since it’s subject to regulations depending on the store, so if you really need to return alcohol then speaking to the manager will probably be the best choice.
Want to learn more about Aldi? Read our related posts to learn if Aldi sells tofu, why Aldi cashiers sit, and is Aldi cheaper than Food Lion?
Conclusion…
Now you know, Aldi does sell alcohol, with an emphasis on wine and beer, so if that is your thing, you’ll probably find something you like, and the best part of it is that you will also find amazing prices for great products.
Aldi has alcohol in most of their stores, as long as the state laws permit it, so the next time you’re grocery shopping in an Aldi store, just have a look near the entrance to check their alcohol selection.
You can also go online and see what’s available at the nearest stores so you can purchase for pickup or delivery with Instacart, as long as you are over 21, and go through all the extra steps to get alcohol delivery.
If you have any more doubts about returning alcohol and more specific types of wines, then ask the store manager and you’ll get the help you need, other than that you now know everything you need to know to prepare yourself for alcohol shopping in Aldi and remember, drink responsibly!