# Carding Non-Alcoholic Beer. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 4, 2009, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349 "2009-02-04T02:04:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/21 "2009-02-04T18:37:36Z")
Here’s a link to a SD column about [mouthwash and vanilla extract](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2582/can-you-get-drunk-on-listerine-how-about-vanilla-extract) I have read in newspapers about stores pulling vanilla 'cause kids will drink it If you were taking Antabuse how much alcohol would have to be in something to cause a reaction? ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/22 "2009-02-04T18:45:01Z")
Here’s an article from the [Illinoislegalaid](http://www.illinoislegalaid.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.dsp_content&contentID=2291) website that says minors CAN buy beer if it’s less than .05 alcohol. > [@](#): > > Yes. If it’s got less than 0.5% alcohol, it’s not covered by the Illinois Liquor Control Act. Technically, then, it’s not beer, so calling it non-alcoholic beer is oxymoronic. That’s why the label says “beverage” and not “beer.” > > Both Federal and Illinois law define beer as “ale, porter, stout, and other similar fermented beverages (including sake or similar products) of any name or description containing one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume, brewed or produced from malt, wholly or in part, or from any substitute for malt.” ---
**Author:** ![KnitWit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@KnitWit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KnitWit)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/23 "2009-02-04T19:18:10Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Here’s a link to a SD column about [mouthwash and vanilla extract](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2582/can-you-get-drunk-on-listerine-how-about-vanilla-extract) > > I have read in newspapers about stores pulling vanilla 'cause kids will drink it > > If you were taking Antabuse how much alcohol would have to be in something to cause a reaction? I know people who were on Antabuse who got ill when they used cologne, mouthwash, or hair products with alcohol in them. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/24 "2009-02-04T20:15:08Z")
> [@](#): > > Here’s an article from the Illinoislegalaid > website that says minors CAN buy beer if it’s less than .05 alcohol. Note, of course, that every state will have its own laws on this, so it’s possible that it’s legal in Illinois but not in some other state. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/25 "2009-02-04T20:58:55Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Here’s a link to a SD column about [mouthwash and vanilla extract](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2582/can-you-get-drunk-on-listerine-how-about-vanilla-extract) > > I have read in newspapers about stores pulling vanilla 'cause kids will drink it > > If you were taking Antabuse how much alcohol would have to be in something to cause a reaction? I don’t know about Antabuse, but I was put on the antibiotic metronidazole for a couple of weeks and got really nauseated once after eating a ripe banana. ---
**Author:** ![accidentalyuppie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@accidentalyuppie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/accidentalyuppie)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/26 "2009-02-04T23:55:24Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > BUT, if there scanners have the item internally tagged as alcohol, they probably aren’t allowed to not card you. It’s not up to the cashiers to make judgment calls. And perhaps the manager can’t overrule something that could potentially get the store several thousand dollars in fines. If it’s a problem, write a letter to the owners/corporate explaining why you won’t shop there any more, then vote with your money. But it’s not the cashiers fault. If the register tells them the person has to be 21 (or 18 for fire) they have to follow their directions. If I were the cashier, as much as I might want to sell you that sparkling grape juice, I’m not gonna risk my job over it. I’ve run into this several times while attempting to buy non-alcoholic beer on Sunday mornings…in one store the registers are programmed not to allow it to be rung up until after noon. I also got carded once for na beer which was hysterical because I was 47 at the time…the kid behind the register looked at my ID and broke out a calculator. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/27 "2009-02-05T00:01:30Z")
> [@Student\_Driver](#): > > (Not sure the nice Romanian lady who mans the checkouts at my store in the morning will recognize that “Welch” is a grape juice brand, despite the foil-wrapped cork-stopped bottle, for instance.) Well, seeing as it was New Hampshire, with it’s 95%+ pop of white folks, I’m guessing ESL wasn’t the issue. Illiteracy may have been. We dun lahk them furriners up haire. As a side note, I was astounded to discover brands in Japan. InBev (Budweiser’s parent company) may sell soft drinks, but they sure as hell don’t put the company name prominently on the label. Here, the three big beers are Sapporo, Asahi, and Kirin. These names are also proudly found on teas and sodas. At first, it was like going into a store and finding a sign saying “Drink delicious Budweiser Cola!” ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/28 "2009-02-05T07:02:00Z")
In Ohio (at least near Youngstown) you can’t buy non-alcoholic beer or wine on Sundays. It has to do with it being labeled “beer” or “wine”. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/29 "2009-02-05T08:05:59Z")
> [@Mudshark](#): > > In Ohio (at least near Youngstown) you can’t buy non-alcoholic beer or wine on Sundays. It has to do with it being labeled “beer” or “wine”. I hope root beer is still ok. Actually, they used to do this in NH too, but then someone realized that the state could make more money if they let people buy more beer. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/30 "2009-02-05T08:11:34Z")
> [@Mudshark](#): > > In Ohio (at least near Youngstown) you can’t buy non-alcoholic beer or wine on Sundays. It has to do with it being labeled “beer” or “wine”. Can you cite a product that says it’s non-alcoholic **beer**? I’ve yet to see a near beer that has the word “beer” on it’s label. Every one I’ve seen says it’s “_brew_” or “_malt beverage_” or something similar, but never actually uses the word **beer**. ---
**Author:** ![achilles\_bogart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/58956e/32.png) [@achilles\_bogart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/achilles_bogart)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/31 "2009-02-05T08:13:34Z")
> [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](#): > > I hope root beer is still ok. I got carded for root beer. ☹ I was buying some Weinhard’s root beer (clearly labeled as root beer) and the gal asked to see my ID. I started at her for a minute or two and then said, “huh?” She said she needed to see ID for the Weinhard’s. I said “huh?” again. She said “ID for the beer.” Then the gears clicked and I pointed to the label, which she read. She then turned beet red. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/32 "2009-02-05T08:17:48Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Can you cite a product that says it’s non-alcoholic **beer**? > I’ve yet to see a near beer that has the word “beer” on it’s label. Every one I’ve seen says it’s “_brew_” or “_malt beverage_” or something similar, but never actually uses the word **beer**. Scroll down about halfway to where it says beer. I hadn’t heard of Bavaria before, but apparently it’s out there. > **[Don’t inhibit yourself!!! – Part 2](https://karma-free-cooking.com/2008/06/11/dont-inhibit-yourself-part-2/)** > > I started the other day bringing you a list of my favorite junk foods…   But I want to make a HUGE clarification here – These are snacks to be enjoyed SPARINGLY.  In no way I want to pr… ---
**Author:** ![achilles\_bogart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/58956e/32.png) [@achilles\_bogart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/achilles_bogart)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/33 "2009-02-05T08:31:56Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Can you cite a product that says it’s non-alcoholic **beer**? > I’ve yet to see a near beer that has the word “beer” on it’s label. Every one I’ve seen says it’s “_brew_” or “_malt beverage_” or something similar, but never actually uses the word **beer**. Reed’s ginger beer. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/34 "2009-02-05T08:35:31Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Can you cite a product that says it’s non-alcoholic **beer**? > I’ve yet to see a near beer that has the word “beer” on it’s label. Every one I’ve seen says it’s “_brew_” or “_malt beverage_” or something similar, but never actually uses the word **beer**. > [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](#): > > Scroll down about halfway to where it says beer. I hadn’t heard of Bavaria before, but apparently it’s out there. > [Don’t inhibit yourself!!! – Part 2 | KarmaFree Cooking](http://karmafreecooking.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/dont-inhibit-yourself-part-2/) Nowhere on that [label](http://wine.gg/data/1/3/7/137751172018718734_prd200-110527779219179367_photo-Bavaria-Non-Alcoholic-Lager.jpg) do I see the word **BEER**. I see “malt” and “non alcoholic drink”. I do not know if it is a law or not, but I renew my challenge to show a label that says non-alcoholic **BEER** that’s being sold in the U.S.A.! ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/35 "2009-02-05T08:39:33Z")
> [@achilles\_bogart](#): > > Reed’s ginger beer. Their [site](http://www.reedsgingerbrew.com/brews.php) refers to it as ginger brew, not beer. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/36 "2009-02-05T08:47:37Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Nowhere on that [label](http://wine.gg/data/1/3/7/137751172018718734_prd200-110527779219179367_photo-Bavaria-Non-Alcoholic-Lager.jpg) do I see the word **BEER**. I see “malt” and “non alcoholic drink”. I do not know if it is a law or not, but I renew my challenge to show a label that says non-alcoholic **BEER** that’s being sold in the U.S.A.! Um, it’s small, but on the outer blue ring on the bottom half, it says “something brewed malt beer.” It’s hard to see-- check google images for “bavaria non-alcoholic beer” and a larger image should pop up. [![](http://dealco.racco.mikeneko.jp/BEER/BAVARIABTLLBL.jpg) ](http://dealco.racco.mikeneko.jp/BEER/BAVARIABTLLBL.jpg) ETA: Ah, I see. I have no idea where that particular label comes from. Maybe you’re right that they don’t do that in the US. But there are definitely non-alcoholic beers that label themselves as such, possibly just not in the US. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/37 "2009-02-05T09:04:13Z")
> [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](#): > > ETA: Ah, I see. I have no idea where that particular label comes from. Maybe you’re right that they don’t do that in the US. But there are definitely non-alcoholic beers that label themselves as such, possibly just not in the US. I’ve yet to see a label in the USA that said “non-alcoholic _ **beer** _”. I’m not saying it doesn’t exist or it’s the law or anything, I’ve just yet to see it and I’ve been to all 50 states. I believe at one time the Volstead act prohibited the use of the word “beer” on non-alcoholic beverages. Not sure if there are any laws today that do the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/38 "2009-02-05T09:06:30Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Can you cite a product that says it’s non-alcoholic **beer**? > I’ve yet to see a near beer that has the word “beer” on it’s label. Every one I’ve seen says it’s “_brew_” or “_malt beverage_” or something similar, but never actually uses the word **beer**. No, I just know based on personal experience. When my store had non alcoholic beer we had to ID people, and couldn’t sell it on Sundays, just like regular beer. ---
**Author:** ![achilles\_bogart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/58956e/32.png) [@achilles\_bogart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/achilles_bogart)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/39 "2009-02-05T09:10:11Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Their [site](http://www.reedsgingerbrew.com/brews.php) refers to it as ginger brew, not beer. They have an ale and a beer, and they say it right on the labels. I had one of their ginger beers in my hands 2 weeks ago. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349/40 "2009-02-05T09:13:13Z")
> [@achilles\_bogart](#): > > They have an ale and a beer, and they say it right on the labels. I had one of their ginger beers in my hands 2 weeks ago. But those aren’t non-alcoholic beers/ales; they’re soft drinks. I think **pkbites** is looking for something either with alcohol in it or specifically designed to taste like beer. Root/ginger beer/ale doesn’t taste like and isn’t meant to taste like beer. ETA: There are far better ginger beers than Reeds 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carding-non-alcoholic-beer/484349.md?page=3)