ZM has it right...the alcohol commission is the governmental organisation that controls the sale of all beverages that have a % of alcohol higher than that of beer. In Québec, it is called la Société des alcools du Québec - S.A.Q. for short.
In Québec, the only alcohol beverages that can be sold outside of an S.A.Q. outlet, are beer, those fruity coolers, and a the lower-end table wines. These can only be sold in grocery stores and dépanneurs (convenience stores).
The sales of the beer and the coolers are not managed by the S.A.Q., but the sales of the wine are. Only table wines are allowed in order to insure that there is not too much competition with the S.A.Q. outlets.
All other wines, liquors and spirits can only be bought in S.A.Q. outlets.
You can buy booze everyday but the stores have to lock up the section at midnight or 1:00 a.m. (not sure exactly which.)
