In the United States, liquor stores primarily buy their inventory from through a regulatory framework known as the three-tier system . This system, established after Prohibition, mandates a strict separation between those who make alcohol and those who sell it to the public. The Three-Tier System
: The "middlemen" who buy in bulk from producers and sell to retailers. where do liquor stores buy their liquor
: Liquor stores, bars, and restaurants that purchase from wholesalers to sell to the end consumer. How the Buying Process Works In the United States, liquor stores primarily buy
: Distilleries, breweries, and wineries. In the United States
Under this structure, alcohol must pass through three distinct levels before reaching a consumer: