# Being carded for Red Bull in Virginia **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 10, 2008, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031 "2008-11-10T14:12:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![metronome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7993a0/32.png) [@metronome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/metronome)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/1 "2008-11-10T14:12:15Z")
My sister told me that she and her friends have recently been carded for Red Bull and other energy drinks. I hadn’t heard about a law being passed that would restrict energy drink sales to adults, but she swore up and down that they were all being carded for them. Hmm. When my fiance and I stopped for gas and sodas on the way home, I asked the cashier to settle a debate and tell me whether one has to be 18 to purchase energy drinks now, and she confirmed it. For some reason, she found it relevant to add that one must be 21 to purchase shot glass checkers and such. Anyway–I’ve tried the state’s Legislative Information System with no luck. I also tried Googling, but most of the results were related to other countries and the state of Kentucky. I haven’t heard anything about a VA law until now, so I’m beginning to wonder if the restrictions are store policies. Does anyone know more about this? ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/2 "2008-11-10T15:04:43Z")
IANAL, but I’m a Virginian who knows plenty of people under 18 who drink Red Bull, and I’ve never seen nor heard of anyone being carded for it. A quick call to three local grocery stores confirms that they don’t ID for it (and they all seemed confused/amused by the question). It could, as you say, be a store policy thing. The Kroger across the street from me cards me for dry ice, and sugar, caffeine and ginseng are at least as dangerous as frozen CO2. Can’t be too careful, it seems. ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/3 "2008-11-10T15:42:49Z")
It might be related to a news story I heard on the radio last week (well, I heard part of it) that there have supposedly been a number of kids hospitalized for caffeine overdoses from energy drinks. After a bit of searching, I found this: [The Dangers of “Energy” Drinks](http://www.abc3340.com/news/stories/0708/536125.html), which says that the overdosing is occuring among teens and young adults, so requiring buyers to be 18 probably won’t help much. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/4 "2008-11-10T17:24:57Z")
> [@Roland\_Orzabal](#): > > It could, as you say, be a store policy thing. The Kroger across the street from me cards me for dry ice, and sugar, caffeine and ginseng are at least as dangerous as frozen CO2. In what ways? Frozen CO2 can burn you to the touch, and can also be used to make bombs. I’m not aware of any dangers or of any criminal uses for sugar, cafeine or ginseng. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/5 "2008-11-10T18:10:56Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > In what ways? Frozen CO2 can burn you to the touch, and can also be used to make bombs. I’m not aware of any dangers or of any criminal uses for sugar, cafeine or ginseng. Clearly you’ve never been around kids hyped up on energy drinks. The results can be as equally unnerving as any CO2 bomb. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/6 "2008-11-10T18:44:24Z")
There are no state laws or regulations containing references to caffeinated drinks/beverages, energy drinks, or Red Bull. And a search of news stories turns up nothing about any of those terms and new laws. So if this were the result of some law, it would have to be local. And I doubt that municipalities in VA have this power. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/7 "2008-11-10T20:38:16Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > I’m not aware of any dangers or of any criminal uses for sugar, cafeine or ginseng. 1 sachet of [Turbo Yeast](http://www.turbo-yeast.com/index.html): 6 bucks. 8 kilograms of sucrose: 4 bucks. End result: 6 gallons of an 18% EtOH solution, and fun times for all. I’m being facetious, of course. But I’ve always wondered why kids don’t do this, especially when nobody who sells Turbo Yeast online makes any attempt to verify age. I would imagine that a minor could even walk into a brick-and-mortar winemaking store and buy it, along with a rubber carboy stopper and a cheap airlock (add another 2 bucks). ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/8 "2008-11-10T20:47:49Z")
I heard from a friend who works at a convenience store that their management told them to limit sales of these energy drinks to legal adults, and to card anyone who appears younger, just like they do for sales of beer. But it was because of a recommendation from the store insurance company – they were worried about lawsuits from parents if they sold to underage kids who then suffered from consuming them. So it was not any State or local law requirement – just fear of possible lawsuits. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/9 "2008-11-10T21:25:55Z")
Oddly enough, when I first started noticing Red Bull around, I just assumed it was some kind of beer. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/10 "2008-11-10T22:43:19Z")
What was the store? Maybe it’s a company policy. Or a local city law? I used to work overnight in a hotel on weekends, and they had a local blue against selling food, so I used to have to go to all the vending machines at 11:50pm on Saturday and put a lock on them, so no one could buy Cokes or Candy or anything. Some stores have odd rules. In Chicago, Dominics (food store) won’t sell liquor to someone if they are with a person underage. I was behind someone and the cashier says “We can’t sell you that, because the person you’re with is a teen and you could be buying the beer for him.” The guy looks at her and says “That’s my kid.” And she says “Sorry it’s store policy.” And I’ve seen it happen a few other times in Dominicks. ---
**Author:** ![Qwisp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qwisp/32/397_2.png) [@Qwisp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwisp)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/11 "2008-11-10T23:07:58Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > 1 sachet of [Turbo Yeast](http://www.turbo-yeast.com/index.html): 6 bucks. > 8 kilograms of sucrose: 4 bucks. > End result: 6 gallons of an 18% EtOH solution, and fun times for all. > > I’m being facetious, of course. But I’ve always wondered why kids don’t do this, especially when nobody who sells Turbo Yeast online makes any attempt to verify age. I would imagine that a minor could even walk into a brick-and-mortar winemaking store and buy it, along with a rubber carboy stopper and a cheap airlock (add another 2 bucks). What is 18% EtOH solution? I am chemistry challenged, but from the ingredients it sounds like some type of alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/12 "2008-11-10T23:32:23Z")
> [@Qwisp](#): > > What is 18% EtOH solution? I am chemistry challenged, but from the ingredients it sounds like some type of alcohol. Think vodka (36 proof.) The concentration is so low (compared to commerically-available vodka) because **Washoe** assumed no distillation to increase the alcohol percentage. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/13 "2008-11-10T23:35:14Z")
> [@Qwisp](#): > > What is 18% EtOH solution? I am chemistry challenged, but from the ingredients it sounds like some type of alcohol. EtOH = ethyl (drinking) alcohol. 18% is 36 proof - stronger than wine or beer, not as strong as hard liquor. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/14 "2008-11-11T00:26:31Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > …I’m being facetious, of course. But I’ve always wondered why kids don’t do this, especially when nobody who sells Turbo Yeast online makes any attempt to verify age… Because it’s much easier to either buy a fake ID or just get someone of age to buy booze of age to buy booze for you. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/15 "2008-11-11T00:42:35Z")
I have a sorta similar story. I went into the local [Binny’s Beverage Depot](http://www.binnys.com/) a couple years ago after work, maybe 4:30pm. I was carded for some cranberry juice. I said something like “But it’s just juice…” and the clerk told me “We have to card for mixers.” I figured this was some kind of store policy and haven’t really thought about it since. ---
**Author:** ![Laudenum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/16 "2008-11-11T01:00:40Z")
I was in Tescos recently, and was using the self-serve checkout to buy a spoon, and a small tub of ice-cream (I was going to the cinema with a friend). The machine started beeping, and the supervisor had to come over to authorise my purchase of a single spoon. Why? Apparently, as I later learned, it’s to stop heroin use. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/17 "2008-11-11T01:50:26Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > 1 sachet of [Turbo Yeast](http://www.turbo-yeast.com/index.html): 6 bucks. > 8 kilograms of sucrose: 4 bucks. > End result: 6 gallons of an 18% EtOH solution, and fun times for all. > > I’m being facetious, of course. But I’ve always wondered why kids don’t do this, especially when nobody who sells Turbo Yeast online makes any attempt to verify age. I would imagine that a minor could even walk into a brick-and-mortar winemaking store and buy it, along with a rubber carboy stopper and a cheap airlock (add another 2 bucks). Water, sugar and yeast. How that can that not taste like hell?. I mean, sure, young and desperate goes a long way to overcome minor quality details, but I cannot imagine wanting to drink that. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/18 "2008-11-11T05:02:20Z")
From personal experience, I can attest that it looks, smells, and tastes like baby vomit, even if it’s filtered. Distillation is highly recommended. If done properly, a 40% solution of EtOH in water can be produced for about $1.00/liter. If I had know about this when I was a kid, I would have jumped at the chance to try it and share the spoils with my friends. Even if I had the financial resources to buy vodka at that age, and an agreeable adult to procure it for me, I still would have run a still in the garage, just because it would have made me feel like a pirate to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/19 "2008-11-11T12:29:17Z")
> [@Roland\_Orzabal](#): > > The Kroger across the street from me cards me for dry ice, and sugar, caffeine and ginseng are at least as dangerous as frozen CO2. Can’t be too careful, it seems. Grocery stores sell dry ice in some places? Man, I wish Indiana stores would have, my childhood friends and I always wanted to do Mr. Wizard stuff with dry ice, but never knew how to get our hands on it. Hell, I still don’t know where people could get it from here. My Indiana Wal-Mart has recently begun carding for caffeinated energy sprays and energy “shots,” but not yet for normal energy drinks. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031/20 "2008-11-11T18:50:30Z")
I haven’t bought any dry ice since I was a kid, but we always used to buy dry ice at Baskin Robbins [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-carded-for-red-bull-in-virginia/472031.md?page=2)