Alcoholic beverage control states, generally called control states, are those in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 that have state monopoly

Monopoly

A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...

 over the wholesaling and/or retailing of some or all categories of alcoholic beverage

Alcoholic beverage

An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...

s, such as beer, wine, and distilled spirits.
At the beginning of the temperance movement

Temperance movement

A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...

 in the United States, many states controlled where and when alcohol could be sold. Before this time, most alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption were often sold just like any other item of commerce in stores or in saloons/bars.