It might seem like a no-brainer that non-alcoholic beers should be available for anyone under 21 to buy and enjoy.
However, the laws surrounding the purchase and consumption of non-alcoholic beverages for minors vary across state lines.
So, can you buy non-alcoholic beer under 21 in the United States? Well, it depends on which state you are in. To make it easy for you, we’ve created a table below for each state.
Based on this table, the current states that may allow minors to buy and drink non-alcoholic beers are Alaska, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Read on to learn what each state’s law has to say about minors buying and consuming non-alcoholic beers or any drinks under 0.5% ABV.
Quick Definition Of What Is A Non-Alcoholic Beer
In the United States, a non-alcoholic beer is defined as containing less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Different countries have varying requirements for a non-alcoholic beer; for example the requirements in the United Kingdom and Australia differ from the United States.
A tip from us: Light and lite beers should not be confused with non-alcoholic beers, as they typically contain around 4.2% ABV, and the term ‘light’ often refers to reduced caloric content compared to regular beer.
Also Read: What is the difference between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks?
Can You Buy Non-Alcoholic Beer Under 21 In The United States?
Yes, you can legally buy non-alcoholic beer under 21 in some American states. However, in many states, you need to be above 21 to purchase non-alcoholic beer. Please refer to our table below for the non-alcoholic beer laws in each state.
It is also important to note that counties and cities can modify age restrictions, which is why it’s crucial to check locally.
In addition to state, county, and city laws, restrictions can also vary from store to store. Some stores may have stricter policies and might not sell non-alcoholic beers to individuals under 21 (the legal drinking age).
Given that many states have undefined laws around non-alcoholic beers, stores might deny selling to minors under 21 to avoid risking fines, the loss of their alcohol license, or even imprisonment if found guilty of selling “alcoholic” drinks to underage persons.
Related: Can I Drink Non-Alcoholic Beer In Public?
Non-Alcoholic Beer Laws by State
Here is a table of the current laws around buying and consuming non-alcoholic beer under 21 in the different states (last updated October 19th 2023).
| State | Buying | Consuming |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Not regulated in wet counties. “Sale” is prohibited in dry counties. | Permitted with parental permission and/or in the presence of a parent or legal guardian |
| Alaska | Under 21 can buy non-alcoholic beers if less than 0.5% ABV | Permitted if less than 0.5% ABV |
| Arizona | No laws regulating the sale of non-alcohol beers to minors if less than 0.5% ABV | Undefined |
| Arkansas | Undefined | Undefined |
| California | No laws regulating the sale of non-alcohol beers to minors if less than 0.5% ABV | Permitted if less than 0.5% ABV |
| Colorado | Undefined | Undefined |
| Connecticut | Undefined | Undefined |
| Delaware | Undefined | Regular beer: Permitted with parental permission and/or in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. One of the members must provide the alcohol. (Therefore we can conclude that it is at least the same law with non-alcoholic beer) |
| Florida | Must be over 21 | Under 21 can consume non-alcoholic beers with 0.5% ABV or less. Must be over 21 for 0.5% and more |
| Georgia | Must be over 21 | Must be over 21 |
| Hawaii | Determined by county | Regular beer: Permitted with parental permission and/or in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. |
| Idaho | Undefined | Undefined |
| Illinois | Must be over 21 | Must be over 21 |
| Indiana | Must be over 21 | Must be over 21 |
| Iowa | Undefined | Undefined |
| Kansas | Must be over 21 | Must be over 21 |
| Kentucky | Undefined | Undefined |
| Louisiana | Undefined | Permitted with parental permission and/or in the presence of a parent or legal guardian |
| Maine | Must be over 21 | Must be over 21 |
| Maryland | No laws regulating the sale of non-alcohol beers to minors if less than 0.5% ABV | Undefined |
| Massachusetts | Under 21 can buy non-alcoholic beers | Under 21 can consume non-alcoholic beers |
| Michigan | Must be over 21 | Must be over 21 |
| Minnesota | No laws regulating the sale of non-alcohol beers to minors if less than 0.5% ABV | Regular beer: Permitted with parental permission and/or in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. |
| Mississippi | Must be over 21 | Permitted for aged 18-21 with parental permission and/or in the presence of a parent or legal guardian |
| Missouri | Must be over 21 | Must be over 21 |
| Montana | Under 21 can buy non-alcoholic beers | Under 21 can consume non-alcoholic beers |
| Nebraska | Must be over 21 | Must be over 21 |
| Nevada | Undefined | Undefined |
| New Hampshire | Undefined | Undefined |
| New Jersey | Undefined | Undefined |
| New Mexico | Must be over 21 for 0.5% and above | Permitted for with parental permission and/or in the presence of a parent or legal guardian on real property, other than licensed premises |
| New York | Undefined | Undefined |
| North Carolina | Must be over 21 for 0.5% and above | Must be over 21 for 0.5% and above |
| North Dakota | Must be over 21 for 0.5% and above | Permitted for aged 18-21 with parental permission and/or in the presence of a parent or legal guardian |
| Ohio | Must be over 18 | Must be over 18 |
| Oklahoma | Must be over 21 | Permitted for with parental permission and/or in the presence of a parent or legal guardian, as long as the possession or consumption does not occur in an establishment licensed to sell alcohol |
| Oregon | Must be over 21 for 0.5% and above | Permitted with parental permission and/or in the presence of a parent or legal guardian |
| Pennsylvania | Must be over 21 | Must be over 21 |
| Rhode Island | No laws regulating the sale of non-alcohol beers to minors if less than 0.5% ABV | Undefined |
| South Carolina | Must be over 21 | Must be over 21 |
| South Dakota | Undefined | Undefined |
| Tennessee | Undefined | Undefined |
| Texas | Undefined | Regular beer: Permitted with parental permission and/or in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. |
| Utah | Undefined | Undefined |
| Vermont | No laws regulating the sale of non-alcohol beers to minors if less than 0.5% ABV | Undefined |
| Virginia | Under 21 can buy non-alcoholic beers | Under 21 can consume non-alcoholic beers |
| Washington | No laws regulating the sale of non-alcohol beers to minors if less than 0.5% ABV | Undefined |
| West Virginia | Must be over 21 for 0.5% and above | Permitted with parental permission and/or in the presence of a parent who is related to the minor by blood or marriage |
| Wisconsin | No laws regulating the sale of non-alcohol beers to minors if less than 0.5% ABV | Undefined |
| Wyoming | Must be over 21 for 0.5% and above | Permitted with parental permission and/or in the presence of a parent or legal guardian |
Does Non-Alcoholic Beer Have A Minimum Drinking Age?
Yes, non-alcoholic beer has a minimum drinking age in the United States. In the United States, consumption of non-alcoholic beers under 21 is allowed in most states.
Even though a non-alcoholic beer has 0.5% ABV or less, some states still classify and regulate non-alcoholic beers as alcoholic beverages.
Conclusion
While we strive to keep this article updated, state laws can change and lines can get easily blurred. We recommend that you check your state laws before buying and consuming non-alcoholic beers.
This is great research here, a lot more helpful than other sites. Hopefully we get to see more clarity from “undefined” states.