Arabella Franco
In the United States, the legal drinking age is 21. However, the laws surrounding the purchase and consumption of non-alcoholic beverages for minors vary across state lines. In some states, minors are allowed to purchase non-alcoholic beer, while in others, they are not. So, can you buy non-alcoholic beer if you're under 21 in Missouri?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you buy non-alcoholic beer under 21 in Missouri? | No |
| Missouri's drinking age | 21 |
| Alcohol by volume (ABV) in non-alcoholic beer | Less than 0.5% |
| Alcohol by volume (ABV) in regular beer | 4-6% |
| Alcohol by volume (ABV) in juices like orange juice, apple juice, and grape juice | 0.6% to 0.86% |
| Alcohol by volume (ABV) in a ripe banana | Up to 0.4% |
| Alcohol by volume (ABV) in hamburger buns | Up to 1.28% |
| States where you can purchase non-alcoholic beer under 21 | Ohio (must be over 18) |
| States where you cannot purchase non-alcoholic beer under 21 | Oregon (for 0.5% and above), West Virginia (for 0.5% and above), Wyoming (for 0.5% and above) |
| States where it is undefined or not straightforward | Alabama (Not regulated in wet counties; "Sale" is prohibited in dry counties) |
What You'll Learn
Missouri's alcohol laws
Any beverage containing less than 0.5% alcohol by volume, including non-alcoholic beer, is exempt from alcohol regulation in Missouri, including age restrictions, and is only subject to ordinary food safety laws. This means that in Missouri, non-alcoholic beer can be purchased by minors. However, it is important to note that the laws surrounding the purchase and consumption of non-alcoholic beverages for minors vary across different states in the US.
Missouri's drinking age has been 21 since 1945, and the state prohibits minors from possessing or purchasing alcohol. However, Missouri is one of six states with an exception that allows a minor to be furnished alcohol by their parent or guardian. Additionally, Missouri is one of 20 states with no specific law prohibiting the consumption of alcohol by minors.
In terms of retail alcohol sales, Missouri limits the hours to between 1:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and with an additional license fee, between 1:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on Sunday. Most municipalities, including St. Louis and Kansas City, have enacted local laws following the state law, prohibiting the retail sale of liquor between the designated hours.
Missouri has no state law prohibiting drinking in public or public intoxication, although nearly all municipalities, including St. Louis and Kansas City, prohibit drinking in public. An exception is made for picnickers in public parks in St. Louis, who are allowed to consume alcohol without limitation.
Missouri also has no general open container law for vehicles, sharing this characteristic with only five other states. However, Missouri law prohibits consuming or offering alcoholic beverages in schools, churches, or courthouses, with exceptions for social functions in courthouses after business hours when authorized by the court.
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Non-alcoholic beer laws in the US
The laws surrounding the purchase of non-alcoholic beer in the US are complex and vary from state to state. While the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 prohibits the sale of beverages containing alcohol to those under the age of 21, non-alcoholic beverages are not specifically addressed by this legislation.
Non-alcoholic beer typically contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), which is significantly lower than the 4-6% ABV found in traditional beer. Despite the low alcohol content, non-alcoholic beers are still regulated by the Federal Alcohol Administration Act. This is due to a legal anomaly where any malt beverage is regulated by the FAA, regardless of its ABV.
As a result of this regulation, the laws surrounding the purchase of non-alcoholic beer by minors vary across the country. In some states, such as Ohio, individuals under 21 are permitted to purchase non-alcoholic beer as long as they are over the age of 18. In other states, such as Oregon, West Virginia, and Wyoming, individuals under 21 are prohibited from purchasing non-alcoholic beer. In still other states, the laws are undefined or not straightforward, with some counties prohibiting the sale of non-alcoholic beer to minors while others do not.
In addition to state laws, counties and cities can also modify age restrictions, further complicating the landscape. Some stores may also have stricter policies and choose not to sell non-alcoholic beers to individuals under 21 to avoid the risk of fines or loss of their alcohol license.
When it comes to consumption, the laws vary even more widely. In some states, minors are permitted to consume non-alcoholic beer with parental permission or in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. In other states, there are no laws regulating the consumption of non-alcoholic beer by minors.
Overall, the laws surrounding the purchase and consumption of non-alcoholic beer by minors in the US are complex and vary significantly from state to state. It is important for individuals to be aware of the specific laws and regulations in their state and locality before attempting to purchase or consume non-alcoholic beverages.
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Missouri's drinking age
The drinking age in Missouri has been 21 since 1945, following the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. This means that Missouri law prohibits minors from possessing or purchasing alcohol.
However, Missouri is one of six states with an exception that allows a minor to be furnished alcohol by their parent or guardian. This means that parents can allow their children to have a small amount of liquor with a meal, at social gatherings, or in religious services. Additionally, although Missouri prohibits minors from possessing or purchasing alcohol, it is one of 20 states with no specific law prohibiting the consumption of alcohol by minors.
When it comes to non-alcoholic beer, the answer is less clear. Non-alcoholic beer typically contains up to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), which is incredibly low and won't cause intoxication. In the US, any drink with 0.5% ABV or under is considered non-alcoholic and can be purchased by anyone. However, individual states, counties, and cities can modify age restrictions, and some retailers may have stricter policies and choose not to sell non-alcoholic beers to individuals under 21. In Missouri, any beverage containing less than 0.5% ABV is exempt from all alcohol regulation, including age restrictions, and is subject only to ordinary food safety laws.
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Non-alcoholic beer and driving
Non-alcoholic beer typically contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), compared to regular beer, which usually contains around 5% ABV. While non-alcoholic beer won't get you drunk, it's important to know how it can affect you before getting behind the wheel.
In most US states, the authorities view non-alcoholic beer the same way they do regular beer. So, if you're drinking a non-alcoholic beer while driving, there's a high chance that you'll be pulled over by the police, as it may be considered a breach of open container laws. These lawssection titled= "Open Container Laws" forbid open containers of alcoholic beverages in vehicles, even if they have just 0.5% ABV. While you likely won't be cited for drinking a non-alcoholic beer, if you're found to have a high BAC level, you will be penalised.
It's important to note that you can still be charged with a DUI for drinking non-alcoholic beer if the police officer believes you are intoxicated. While non-alcoholic beer won't get you drunk, consuming large quantities may still raise your BAC level. Therefore, it's recommended to avoid drinking non-alcoholic beer while driving, as it may cause a lapse in concentration and increase the risk of an accident.
Additionally, under the National Minimum Drinking Age (NMDA) Act, individuals under 21 cannot purchase alcoholic beverages, including non-alcoholic beer, in most states. However, in some states, those under 21 can drink non-alcoholic beer with parental permission or supervision.
In conclusion, while non-alcoholic beer may be a refreshing and enjoyable drink, it's best to avoid consuming it while driving due to potential legal repercussions and safety concerns.
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Missouri's liquor licenses
Missouri's liquor licensing process is handled by the state's Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, which falls under the Department of Public Safety. The process can be lengthy and complex, with several requirements that must be met.
Firstly, a liquor license in Missouri costs between $300 and $1000, depending on the type of license and the location of the business. The license must be renewed annually, with a renewal fee to be paid to maintain its validity.
To apply for a liquor license, businesses must already possess a seller's permit. After submitting an application, a public notice of the application must be posted on the business premises for 30 days. In some cases, additional notifications, such as notifying neighbours or publishing a notice in a newspaper, may be required.
The business must also be correctly zoned for selling alcohol. This involves an investigation by the Department of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, which examines both the business and the applicant to determine their eligibility. The processing time for a liquor license application can vary from 30 to 120 days, or even longer if issues arise. Therefore, it is recommended to start the application process 4 to 6 months before the planned opening of the business.
The documentation required for the application process is extensive and varies depending on the type of business entity. Generally, a state-issued ID, driver's license, or passport is needed for the person applying. Additionally, a copy of the conditional use permit or receipt of application submission is necessary. Proof of the source of funds for the business may also be requested, including bank statements, loan papers, financial statements, gift letters, and real estate papers.
Once the application and documentation have been submitted, the business must notify the public about its intent to secure a liquor license. This can be done by displaying a sign on the premises, taking out a newspaper advertisement, or through other avenues.
The Alcohol and Tobacco Control authority will then investigate the application, ensuring that the license would not create a public nuisance or conflict with zoning laws. They will examine the business location and conduct a final review of the application before making a decision. If approved, the business will receive its liquor license and can begin selling alcohol. However, it is important to note that staff serving liquor must be SmartServe certified to spot and intervene when a customer has had too much to drink.
In summary, obtaining a liquor license in Missouri involves a comprehensive application process, including documentation, investigations, and public notifications. The process can be time-consuming and requires adherence to strict guidelines.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can. Missouri law states that any beverage containing less than 0.5% alcohol by volume is exempt from all alcohol regulation, including age restrictions.
It depends on the state. Some states allow minors to buy non-alcoholic beer, while others don't. For example, in Ohio, you can buy non-alcoholic beer if you're over 18, but in Oregon, West Virginia, and Wyoming, you need to be over 21.
While non-alcoholic beer has a very low alcohol content (less than 0.5% ABV), it's not completely alcohol-free. Some stores and retailers will still require customers to be over 21 to avoid legal loopholes and the risk of fines or loss of licenses.
In most states, you can drink non-alcoholic beer under the age of 21 with parental permission or in the presence of a parent or guardian. However, this varies from state to state, so it's important to check local laws.
It's not recommended. While non-alcoholic beer has a negligible amount of alcohol, it can still affect your concentration. Additionally, open container laws apply to non-alcoholic beer, and you may be pulled over by the police if you're seen consuming it while driving.
