Nonalcoholic Beer: Age Limit Or Free For All?

Do you have to be 21 to buy non-alcoholic beer? The answer depends on where you are in the world. In the US, for example, there is no federal law that prohibits the sale of non-alcoholic beer to minors. Instead, individual states have their own laws, and these vary. In Ohio, for instance, you must be over 18, whereas in Oregon, West Virginia, and Wyoming, you must be over 21. In the UK, however, there are no age restrictions on buying non-alcoholic beer.

Non-alcoholic beer is regulated differently across US states

In the US, a non-alcoholic beer is typically defined as containing less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). Despite the low ABV, non-alcoholic beers are still regulated by the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act) and are subject to labelling requirements. However, the laws surrounding the purchase and consumption of non-alcoholic beverages for minors vary across state lines.

For example, in Ohio, minors are allowed to consume non-alcoholic beer in private and public settings, including bars and restaurants, as long as they are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse who is 21 or older. In contrast, states like Oregon, West Virginia, and Wyoming prohibit the purchase of non-alcoholic beer by minors for beverages with 0.5% ABV or above.

Some states have more complex regulations, such as Alabama, where the sale of non-alcoholic beer is not regulated in wet counties, but is prohibited in dry counties. Other states, like Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, and Tennessee, have broad definitions of "beer" or "malt beverage" that are not tied to a specific alcohol content, which may restrict the ability to sell non-alcoholic beer directly to consumers.

The varying regulations across US states can make it challenging for retailers and consumers to navigate the legal landscape surrounding non-alcoholic beer. As such, it is essential to stay informed about the specific laws and policies in your state or locality.

In some states, minors can buy non-alcoholic beer

In the United States, alcoholic beverages can only be purchased by those aged 21 and over. However, the laws surrounding the purchase of non-alcoholic beverages are more complex and vary across different states.

Non-alcoholic beer typically contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). While this is significantly less than the alcohol content of regular beer, non-alcoholic beers are still regulated by the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA). This is because the FAA regulates any malt beverage, regardless of ABV.

The laws surrounding the legal drinking age are set by each individual state, and while every state has set the drinking age to 21, they have different definitions of what constitutes an alcoholic beverage. As a result, some states allow minors to purchase non-alcoholic beer, while others do not.

For example, in Ohio, minors aged 18 and over can buy non-alcoholic beer. In contrast, Oregon, West Virginia, and Wyoming prohibit the sale of non-alcoholic beer to minors if the ABV is 0.5% or higher. In Alabama, the sale of non-alcoholic beer is not regulated in wet counties, but it is prohibited in dry counties.

Some states, such as Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina, allow minors to consume non-alcoholic beer with parental permission or in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

The laws regarding the sale of non-alcoholic beverages to minors vary significantly across the United States, and retailers may have their own policies in place to avoid legal loopholes. As a result, it is essential to check the local regulations and retailer policies before attempting to purchase non-alcoholic beer if you are under the age of 21.

In some states, minors can drink non-alcoholic beer

The laws surrounding the purchase and consumption of non-alcoholic beverages for minors vary across the United States. While federal law permits minors to consume non-alcoholic beverages, state laws differ.

In some states, minors are allowed to drink non-alcoholic beer. These include Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, West Virginia, and Wyoming. In these states, minors are permitted to drink non-alcoholic beer with a parent or guardian's consent or in their presence. However, the specific regulations vary by state. For example, in Mississippi and North Dakota, minors aged 18 to 21 are allowed to drink non-alcoholic beer with parental permission, while in Ohio, minors must be over 18.

On the other hand, some states, such as Oregon, West Virginia, and Wyoming, prohibit the purchase of non-alcoholic beer by minors if it contains 0.5% ABV or more. These states treat non-alcoholic beer as an alcoholic beverage due to its minimal alcohol content.

The legality of minors drinking non-alcoholic beer is a complex issue, and the regulations vary not only between states but also between counties and cities. For instance, in Alabama, the sale of non-alcoholic beer is not regulated in wet counties, but it is prohibited in dry counties.

Retail stores and online retailers often require customers to be at least 21 years old to avoid legal complications and ensure compliance with varying state laws. Ultimately, it is essential to refer to the specific laws and policies of your state, county, or city to understand the regulations surrounding the consumption and purchase of non-alcoholic beer by minors.

Non-alcoholic beer is not completely alcohol-free

Non-alcoholic beer is legally defined in the United States as any malt beverage that contains up to 0.5% alcohol. While this is a very small amount, it does mean that non-alcoholic beer is not completely alcohol-free.

In the US, a beverage can claim to be non-alcoholic as long as it doesn't exceed 0.5% ABV. In the UK, the government advises that alcohol-free drinks may contain up to 0.05% ABV, but in practice, you may find alcohol-free drinks labelled as such that contain up to 0.5% ABV.

The reason non-alcoholic beers contain a small amount of alcohol is that they are still fermented and brewed like regular beers, but the alcohol is removed after the process to bring it below 0.5%. Alternatively, they may be brewed with limited sugars and yeasts to prevent the beer from fermenting above 0.5%.

While non-alcoholic beers won't get you intoxicated, it's important to remember that they do contain some alcohol. This means that they are not suitable for people who need or want to avoid alcohol completely, such as those with a history of alcohol dependency, or those who are pregnant.

Some retailers will not sell non-alcoholic beer to minors

The laws surrounding the purchase and consumption of non-alcoholic beverages for minors vary across the United States. While the National Minimum Drinking Age Act forbids the sale of beverages containing alcohol to those under 21, many states have framed their own laws on the purchase of non-alcoholic beverages.

In some states, such as Ohio, minors are allowed to buy non-alcoholic beer if they are over 18. In other states, such as Oregon, West Virginia, and Wyoming, minors cannot purchase non-alcoholic beer if it contains 0.5% ABV or above. In Alabama, the sale of non-alcoholic beer is not regulated in wet counties, but it is prohibited in dry counties.

Given the complexity of these laws and the risk of falling victim to legal loopholes, most retail and online stores require customers to be at least 21 years old to purchase non-alcoholic beer. This is to avoid the risk of fines, the loss of their alcohol license, or even imprisonment if found guilty of selling alcoholic drinks to underage persons.

Some retailers, like the zero-proof bottle shop Hopscotch in Maryland, have set their own age limits and will not sell non-alcoholic beverages to anyone under 18. This is to avoid the perception of minors buying drinks that look like alcoholic beverages, and to self-regulate to prevent government intervention.

Health researchers have also called for clear and consistent age limits for non-alcoholic beverages, likening them to candy cigarettes and suggesting they could be a gateway to drinking for minors. However, others argue that these beverages are targeted at adults and that the widening availability helps people who want to cut back on alcohol for health reasons.

Ultimately, the laws and retailer policies vary significantly across the United States, and it is essential to know the local regulations before attempting to purchase non-alcoholic beverages as a minor.

Frequently asked questions