Beer Buying: Current Id Essential Or Not?

Whether you need a current ID to buy beer depends on where you are and the type of beer you're buying. In the US, for example, non-alcoholic beers are still regulated under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, so you'll need ID to purchase them. However, every state is different, and some states allow the purchase of non-alcoholic beer under the age of 21, while others don't. If you're planning to buy beer, it's always a good idea to carry a valid form of identification, such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID, to avoid any issues.

Non-alcoholic beer is not alcohol-free

It is a common misconception that one does not need to show ID when buying non-alcoholic beer. While it is true that non-alcoholic beer has a significantly lower alcohol content than conventional beer, it is not entirely alcohol-free. In the United States, beverages containing less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) can be labelled as "non-alcoholic". This small amount of alcohol is similar to what one might find in some fruit juices, breads, and ripe bananas.

Due to this, retailers often treat non-alcoholic beer in the same way as regular alcoholic drinks, and therefore require ID to purchase it. This is done primarily to avoid promoting alcohol to minors, as the packaging and drink itself is almost indistinguishable from alcoholic beer, and to make it easier to enforce rules regarding alcoholic drinks. While it can be frustrating to have to show ID for a drink that will not get you drunk, retailers are ultimately focused on society's best interests and are voluntarily restricting the sale of non-alcoholic beer to protect children from the dangers of alcohol.

In addition, the systems used by retailers to scan and process purchases are often basic and treat all beer as the same, whether it is alcoholic or not. This can lead to situations where cashiers are required to scan ID for non-alcoholic beer, even if they know that it does not contain alcohol, simply because the system requires it.

Why do ID checks happen?

ID checks happen to ensure that retailers are adhering to the legal drinking age and to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors. While it may seem unnecessary to check IDs for alcohol-free beer, these drinks typically contain trace amounts of alcohol, up to 0.5% ABV, which is why they are still classified as alcoholic beverages.

In the United States, the Federal Alcohol Administration (FAA) Act regulates all malt beverages, including non-alcoholic varieties, and requires ID checks for their purchase. This is further reinforced by policies from alcohol organisations like AB-Inbev and the Portman Group, which aim to prevent the promotion of alcohol to minors. Additionally, retailers find it easier to enforce rules regarding alcoholic drinks by treating alcohol-free beverages in the same way. This helps them monitor what customers are drinking and ensures compliance with licensing rules and alcohol sale hours.

The requirement to check IDs for alcohol-free beer also stems from the difficulty in distinguishing these drinks from their alcoholic counterparts. The packaging and appearance of alcohol-free beer are almost indistinguishable from regular beer, making it challenging for retailers and staff to differentiate between the two. This issue is particularly relevant in pubs and bars, where owners are responsible for what customers consume on the premises.

Furthermore, allowing minors to purchase alcohol-free beer could indirectly promote similar products that contain alcohol. Many alcohol-free and non-alcoholic beers are produced by companies that also manufacture alcoholic drinks. By restricting the sale of these beverages to minors, retailers aim to avoid promoting alcoholic drinks to underage individuals.

While the requirement for ID checks when purchasing alcohol-free beer may be inconvenient for some, it is done with the best intentions. Retailers are focused on society's well-being and are voluntarily restricting sales to protect children from the potential dangers of alcohol.

What types of ID are accepted?

When purchasing alcoholic beverages, you must present valid identification documents. These documents must be originals, not photocopies or scans. They should be legible and not torn or taped together. Expired documents are not considered valid and are not accepted.

• Valid Federal or National Issued Documents: US Passport or US Passport Card, US Military identification card (active duty, retired, reserve or dependent), US Visa or Admissions stamp with a Foreign Passport, US Resident Alien Card or Permanent Resident Card (I-551), US Employment Authorization Card.
• Valid State-Issued Driver Licenses: All 50 US states, the District of Columbia, and US Territories (American Samoa, Guam, Marianas, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands) accept these. A non-driver DMV-issued ID card may also be used.
• Other Identification Documents: Driver's license from another country (subject to verification), Identification card issued by a foreign consulate ("Matricula Consular"), Electoral card with photo (within 10 years of issue date).

If you do not have any of the IDs mentioned above, you must provide any two of the following identification documents, one of which must contain a photo:

• Local work ID with photo (industry-related)
• Student ID with photo for the current school year with a certified birth certificate
• Social Security Card
• Foreign Passport (without a US Visa or Admissions stamp) accepted with a second form of identification
• Certified US birth certificate
• Certified foreign birth certificate
• Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad

What is the legal drinking age?

The legal drinking age varies depending on where you are in the world.

In the United States, the minimum age to purchase alcoholic beverages is 21 years old. This applies to beverages containing alcohol, irrespective of ABV. However, the laws surrounding the purchase of non-alcoholic drinks are less clear. While the Federal Alcohol Administration Act regulates non-alcoholic beer, individual states have different definitions of what constitutes an alcoholic beverage. Some states, like Oregon, West Virginia, and Wyoming, prohibit the sale of non-alcoholic beer to minors, while others, like Ohio, allow it.

In the UK, the legal drinking age is 18 years old. While there is no legal requirement to check ID, retailers typically request a valid form of identification, such as a passport or driver's license, to verify a customer's age.

It's worth noting that non-alcoholic drinks are often treated the same as alcoholic drinks by pubs, bars, and retailers to avoid promoting alcohol to minors and to make it easier to enforce rules regarding alcoholic beverages.

Where can I buy alcohol without ID?

It is standard practice to be asked for ID when buying alcohol, even if you are visibly over the age limit. This is because the retailer can be fined or lose its license to sell alcohol if it is found to have sold alcohol to a minor. In many places, alcohol-free drinks are also treated as alcoholic drinks, and the same rules apply.

There are, however, some ways to get around this. One way is to buy alcohol online and have it delivered to your house. Some websites, such as liquorlagoon.com, do not require ID, and the packaging is discreet. Another way is to buy alcohol from foreign-owned gas stations, which may not ask for ID. However, please note that drinking alcohol when you are underage can be dangerous, and retailers are focused on society's best interests by restricting the sale of alcohol to minors.

Frequently asked questions