Want to buy a non-alcoholic beer but you’re under 18 in the UK?
You will be happy to know that you can legally buy non-alcoholic beer under 18 in the UK in restaurants and pubs, but you cannot purchase it under 18 in stores such as supermarkets or drink retailers.
So before rushing off to the store or pub, read below to learn more about the UK’s alcohol-free beer law for minors.
UK’s Definition Of Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Under the Licensing Act 2003, any drink that contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) is considered a negligible amount of alcohol and is therefore not classed as an alcoholic beverage.
That is why relevant ‘underage laws’ do not apply in certain establishments, and restaurants and pubs can technically serve non-alcoholic beers to minors under 18.
On the other hand, the sale of non-alcoholic beer to minors under 18 in stores such as supermarkets or drinks retailers is prohibited.
That is because these establishments are considered as off-licenced premises, where the sale of alcohol to under 18 is prohibited by law.
Tesco has an age restriction for sales of non-alcoholic drinks
Non-Alcoholic Beer Age Is Restricted In UK Supermarkets
Non-alcoholic beers are age-restricted in supermarkets or drinks retailers because they often carry the same branding as their alcoholic counterparts, which could be seen as promoting drinking to minors.
The Responsible Marketing and Communications Code is an initiative by the Belgian drink and brewing company AB InBev, suggests that non-alcoholic beers could encourage minors to want to drink since it has similar branding and packaging.
Another reason why non-alcoholic beer is age restricted in the UK is that under current legislation, non-alcoholic beer still contains traces of alcohol – even if it is 0.5% ABV and below, which is a trace element of alcohol naturally occurring in many foods and drinks.
According to current legislation, “alcohol-free” or “zero alcohol” beer in the UK must be less than 0.05% ABV, and “non-alcoholic” or “de-alcoholised” beers can contain up to 0.5% ABV.
Do You Need ID To Buy Non-Alcoholic Beer In The UK?
Carry along your ID with you because you are likely to be carded when buying non-alcoholic beer in the UK.
While you can legally buy non-alcoholic beer under 18 in the UK in restaurants and pubs, many restaurants and pubs still operate the Challenge 25 scheme due to practicality.
That is because it can be confusing for restaurant or pub staff to be constantly checking the alcohol volume of the drinks they are serving to people.
Often, the packaging and designs on bottles or cans do not make it easy to identify which beers are non-alcoholic or alcohol-free.
Although alcohol-free drinks do not contain any alcohol, alcohol-free drinks are placed on the shelves alongside the alcohol drinks in supermarkets and drinks retailers because they are age restricted. Checkout tills will prompt you for an ID, because it is illegal for minors to buy non-alcoholic beers.
Since it is a criminal offense to sell alcohol to a minor under 18, many businesses would err on the side of caution and ask for an ID in order to avoid a range of penalties.
After buying your non-alcoholic beer, you might be thinking of cracking it open while in a public. Before you do so, click here to read the UK’s policy on drinking in public.
What Time Can You Buy Non-Alcoholic Beer In The UK?
Since buying non-alcoholic beer in stores is age restricted in the UK, the hours you can buy non-alcoholic beer will depend on the establishment and the region you’re in.
England and Wales
In England and Wales, you can buy and consume non-alcoholic beers in pubs till 11pm. If the establishment has an extension licence, they are permitted to serve alcohol and alcohol-free drinks after these hours.
Many supermarkets in England and Wales also sell alcohol for the duration they are open to the public. You can also buy non-alcoholic beer anytime during the day at 24-hour stores licenced to sell alcohol around the clock.
Scotland
In Scotland, you can technically buy non-alcoholic beer outside the hours in a retailer’s premises licence for selling alcohol, since non-alcoholic beverages with 0.5% alcohol or less are not subject to the provisions of the 2005 Act.
However, some retailers would choose not to do so to ensure their staff do not inadvertently confuse alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. In such establishments, you can only purchase non-alcoholic beer from 10am to 10pm.
On a Sunday, you can only buy non-alcoholic beer in supermarkets from 10am-4pm and 10am till closing for smaller stores like off-licences.
Also Read: Can You Buy Non-Alcoholic Beer Under 18 In Australia? (By State & Territory)
Conclusion
The legality of purchasing non-alcoholic beer by minors in the UK depends on the type of establishment.
If you are a minor under 18, you can buy non-alcoholic beer in restaurants and pubs but not in stores like supermarkets or drink retailers.
Just remember to bring your ID with you, as you might be carded. Some establishments operate a strict age verification policy and could refuse the sale if you can’t provide an accepted form of identification.
Prefer to buy non-alcoholic beer without hassle? Shop online from the UK’s top non-alcoholic online retailer (with free shipping): ZeroZilchZip
Also Read: Can You Buy Non-Alcoholic Beer Under 21? (Sorted By U.S States)