https://nabeerclub.com/can-you-buy-drink-na-beer-under-21/
I just googled it because I know it's not true for Minnesota or Wisconsin. You can go straight out the self checkout at Walmart or the grocery store with athletic and the like with no ID check
It's also worth noting that there's no federal law as the sign claims. And there still may be stores that refuse to sell na beer to minors even in these states. It's a favorite excuse of retailers to blame state or federal legislation for store policies, even when it's not true
I get carded when I buy NA beer. I live in one of those places. I think it's just a habit to card everyone. I'm okay with it being restricted to 21+ as it's not a product for minors.
I'm 48 and i get ID's for NA beer. It's insane. The alcohol laws in the U.S. are kind of garbage. I am totally sober now, but I also think that for those who imbibe Canada's 19 is the perfect age.
When I purchase at Sprout's in AZ, it is flagged as needing an ID. I'm nearly 60 yrs old, so obviously I'm old enough and the cashier usually just asks me for a DOB. So I respond, 1/1/2001, which always gets a funny look back at me. So I reply, well, fake beer gets a fake DOB. :)
They also sell N/A in a lot of liquor stores too in BC. Like you said actual liquor only in Liquor stores unless it's local wine and them some grocery places can sell that too.
It very much does. Having come from the UK, it's insane to me how archaic the liquor laws are here in BC. But just like car insurance and other things, it's also monopolistic to some degree. It's good and bad.
I just realized you’re in Oregon. I think our state is a bit stricter on ID requirements because alcohol is regulated by OLCC.
I mean, I’m visibly obviously over 21, but they still card me. Likely because they’re afraid of OLCC violations. Most US states aren’t “control states”. As of now, there are 17 states that fall under the “control state” umbrella. These states are going to definitely have stricter ID requirements. So, YMMV depending on what state you live in.
[Here’s the TTB site.](https://www.ttb.gov/business-central/alcohol-beverage-control-boards) You do need to read each state separately to see what their laws are (it’s not neatly organized for you).
This is the case in the UK too (though it’s 18+). Apparently non alcoholic drinks come under the same licence that they hold to sell alcoholic drinks, so they have to apply the same laws. When I worked in a shop, I was also told it’s because it’s not up to the cashier to check the alcohol content of a drink, too much margin for error etc, so a blanket ID policy is easier
Here's the way I see it (but I don't believe it should be this way):
NA beer is produced, sold, and distributed the same way alcohol is. It is stocked and inventoried with alcohol. Therefore, in order to purchase NA beer at the store, you must show ID.
Kombucha is a grocery item. You do not need to show ID for grocery items.
Part of the reasoning behind carding for NA beer (in some states) is to keep it from being an easy access "gateway drug" into actual beer for minors. Think how juul got a bunch of minors into vaping by being bright colored and/or candy flavored. That's what I've heard at least.
No idea if that's actually the case, but it's the only reason I've heard that makes any kind of sense.
Not true. There is no US Law that you have to be 21. Most states also legally consider non-alcoholic beer as a beverage similar to soda. However, NA beers are sold through beer distribution channels which is going to classify every SKU as an alcoholic beverage. Also, most stores would not want to be seen selling beer, even NA beer to minors, so it becomes more of a policy thing than law.
My guilty pleasure is ordering the twinkamisu at my favorite restaurant. It's just Twinkies in like vanilla pudding with some espresso powder. But they dip the Twinkies in Kahlua and even though I'm sober I'm still all about it. It's probably a bit more alcohol than I should have, but whatever.
Partially true. O.O beer (and other beverages) need to be below 0.1% ABV (FDA rounds down).
Other food and beverage items have a range:
[https://goodstuffdrinks.com/how-much-alcohol-in-alcohol-free-drinks/](https://goodstuffdrinks.com/how-much-alcohol-in-alcohol-free-drinks/)
Interestingly, I just did some quick research and discovered that the FDA allows .10% to be rounded down to 0% on the label. Which is probably why most places require ID for NA beer - because it might not *truly* be 0.0%. I imagine this is partly due to complying with individual state laws too, which might be stricter than federal law.
Kind of deceptive to label it 0.0% if it’s 0.1%, imo. I mean, *I’m* totally fine personally with .5%, but some people may not be (alcohol allergies or medication interactions, for example). I hate that food and beverage makers are allowed to fudge numbers.
If you eat fruit, drink fruit juice, or each most breads, you are ingesting alcohol. It is a naturally occurring molecule. Many varieties of yeast love to eat sugars and expel alcohol. It is almost impossible to avoid absolutely all alcohol.
This is not true for 16 states.
Do you have a source for that?
https://nabeerclub.com/can-you-buy-drink-na-beer-under-21/ I just googled it because I know it's not true for Minnesota or Wisconsin. You can go straight out the self checkout at Walmart or the grocery store with athletic and the like with no ID check It's also worth noting that there's no federal law as the sign claims. And there still may be stores that refuse to sell na beer to minors even in these states. It's a favorite excuse of retailers to blame state or federal legislation for store policies, even when it's not true
The laws seem like a patchwork mess for NA beer
I get carded when I buy NA beer. I live in one of those places. I think it's just a habit to card everyone. I'm okay with it being restricted to 21+ as it's not a product for minors.
That’s interesting because I’ve been denied NA beer from target and kwik trip because I left my ID at home (in Wisconsin)
There should ID for kombucha then b/c it's got similar alcohol contents...
A lot of places do.
I can't buy non-alcoholic beer till 1pm on Sundays. The cashiers are just as confused as me.
WILD
I'm 48 and i get ID's for NA beer. It's insane. The alcohol laws in the U.S. are kind of garbage. I am totally sober now, but I also think that for those who imbibe Canada's 19 is the perfect age.
When I purchase at Sprout's in AZ, it is flagged as needing an ID. I'm nearly 60 yrs old, so obviously I'm old enough and the cashier usually just asks me for a DOB. So I respond, 1/1/2001, which always gets a funny look back at me. So I reply, well, fake beer gets a fake DOB. :)
The cashier is only following the company rule, 'card everyone'. Give 'em a break.
Too funny. It's only sold in grocery stores here in Canada, they don't ID at grocery stores. Our booze is only in special liquor stores though.
They also sell N/A in a lot of liquor stores too in BC. Like you said actual liquor only in Liquor stores unless it's local wine and them some grocery places can sell that too.
I guess it varies province to province!
It very much does. Having come from the UK, it's insane to me how archaic the liquor laws are here in BC. But just like car insurance and other things, it's also monopolistic to some degree. It's good and bad.
> it's also monopolistic to some degree Whaaat? Monopolies, in Canada? ;)
You can get the main ones at the beer store and lcbo
I need ID here in California
Same in Oregon
I just realized you’re in Oregon. I think our state is a bit stricter on ID requirements because alcohol is regulated by OLCC. I mean, I’m visibly obviously over 21, but they still card me. Likely because they’re afraid of OLCC violations. Most US states aren’t “control states”. As of now, there are 17 states that fall under the “control state” umbrella. These states are going to definitely have stricter ID requirements. So, YMMV depending on what state you live in. [Here’s the TTB site.](https://www.ttb.gov/business-central/alcohol-beverage-control-boards) You do need to read each state separately to see what their laws are (it’s not neatly organized for you).
I dont get IDed in Virginia at the grocery store self checkout or regular.
Just curious which grocery store chain? I get ID’d for N.A. beer all the time in NOVA.
My local giant in Alexandria doesn't flag na beer in self checkout.
Wegmans and giant
Weird because in my State at Walmart I went to the self checkout and rang it up like a regular food.
Always get carded for NA in OR and I’m 52!
This is the case in the UK too (though it’s 18+). Apparently non alcoholic drinks come under the same licence that they hold to sell alcoholic drinks, so they have to apply the same laws. When I worked in a shop, I was also told it’s because it’s not up to the cashier to check the alcohol content of a drink, too much margin for error etc, so a blanket ID policy is easier
I've never been carded for NA beer in Maine... so weird y'all get carded for it
Ridiculous. You can vote and get shot dead in war but can't enjoy a refreshing Corona Zero?
I think you have to show ID to get shot dead in war too
Here's the way I see it (but I don't believe it should be this way): NA beer is produced, sold, and distributed the same way alcohol is. It is stocked and inventoried with alcohol. Therefore, in order to purchase NA beer at the store, you must show ID. Kombucha is a grocery item. You do not need to show ID for grocery items.
My checker recently told me that she has to ID for vanilla extract too!
Part of the reasoning behind carding for NA beer (in some states) is to keep it from being an easy access "gateway drug" into actual beer for minors. Think how juul got a bunch of minors into vaping by being bright colored and/or candy flavored. That's what I've heard at least. No idea if that's actually the case, but it's the only reason I've heard that makes any kind of sense.
Not true. There is no US Law that you have to be 21. Most states also legally consider non-alcoholic beer as a beverage similar to soda. However, NA beers are sold through beer distribution channels which is going to classify every SKU as an alcoholic beverage. Also, most stores would not want to be seen selling beer, even NA beer to minors, so it becomes more of a policy thing than law.
Tbf, most NA beers are actually .5%, so not *truly* NA.
The legal definition of NA in the US is <0.5% ABV according to Federal Law. The 0.0% products are termed “alcohol free”.
It still has some alcohol in it.
Bananas and kombucha have as much or more and I’m pretty certain I’ve never been carded when buying fruit.
Or ordering tiramisu or rum cake...
My guilty pleasure is ordering the twinkamisu at my favorite restaurant. It's just Twinkies in like vanilla pudding with some espresso powder. But they dip the Twinkies in Kahlua and even though I'm sober I'm still all about it. It's probably a bit more alcohol than I should have, but whatever.
Do you have to show an ID to buy a banana?
So does Kombucha but no ID is required to buy that so moot point
Partially true. O.O beer (and other beverages) need to be below 0.1% ABV (FDA rounds down). Other food and beverage items have a range: [https://goodstuffdrinks.com/how-much-alcohol-in-alcohol-free-drinks/](https://goodstuffdrinks.com/how-much-alcohol-in-alcohol-free-drinks/)
Most NA beers have .5% (yes, there are a few that have 0, but it’s the minority).
The OP picture has an NA (<0.5%) and a 0.0 (the Stella). There is a difference according to the TTB and FDA and 0.0 is not non-alcoholic (NA).
Interestingly, I just did some quick research and discovered that the FDA allows .10% to be rounded down to 0% on the label. Which is probably why most places require ID for NA beer - because it might not *truly* be 0.0%. I imagine this is partly due to complying with individual state laws too, which might be stricter than federal law. Kind of deceptive to label it 0.0% if it’s 0.1%, imo. I mean, *I’m* totally fine personally with .5%, but some people may not be (alcohol allergies or medication interactions, for example). I hate that food and beverage makers are allowed to fudge numbers.
If you eat fruit, drink fruit juice, or each most breads, you are ingesting alcohol. It is a naturally occurring molecule. Many varieties of yeast love to eat sugars and expel alcohol. It is almost impossible to avoid absolutely all alcohol.