Can You Buy Athletic Brew Under 21?

December 22, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 17 states explicitly prohibit the purchase of non-alcoholic beer by those under 21, creating confusion for many hoping to buy Athletic brew under 21. The answer isn't a simple yes or no, as regulations vary significantly across the United States, leaving the final decision up to state law and even individual store policy.

Quick Summary

The legality of purchasing non-alcoholic Athletic Brewing products depends heavily on state-specific regulations and retailer policies. Although the beer contains less than 0.5% ABV and is federally considered non-alcoholic, many states and stores enforce age restrictions similar to alcoholic beverages to prevent confusion and minimize risk.

Key Points

State Laws are Key: The ability to purchase non-alcoholic Athletic brew under 21 is determined by state, not federal, law, with regulations varying widely across the U.S..
Gateway Precaution: Some states restrict NA beer sales to minors based on the 'gateway' argument, which suggests it could lead to future alcohol consumption.
Retailer Discretion: Many stores have their own policies to card all customers for any beer-like product to prevent mistakes and limit liability, even if not legally required.
Less than 0.5% ABV: Athletic Brewing products contain less than 0.5% ABV, technically classifying them as non-alcoholic under federal guidelines.
Consumption vs. Purchase: The legality of a minor consuming non-alcoholic beer is a separate issue from purchasing it and also varies by state.
ID Check Automation: Point-of-sale systems can be programmed to automatically require an ID scan for all beer products, regardless of actual alcohol content.
Know Your Local Rules: It is crucial for individuals to research their specific state and even local laws, as the rules are not consistent nationwide.

State Laws and the Non-Alcoholic Beverage Gray Area

The legal landscape for non-alcoholic (NA) beverages like those from Athletic Brewing is a complex and inconsistent patchwork in the United States. While federal law defines beverages with less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) as non-alcoholic and therefore not subject to the 21+ purchasing age, state and local jurisdictions have the final say. This regulatory gray area means that what's permissible in one state is illegal in another, and individual retailers can add another layer of restriction with their own policies.

The "Gateway" Argument and Retailer Policies

One of the main reasons for restricting the sale of non-alcoholic beer to minors is the 'gateway' argument. Lawmakers in some states believe that allowing minors to buy and consume NA beverages that mimic alcoholic ones could normalize drinking behavior and potentially encourage a transition to full-strength alcohol later on. Furthermore, retailers often enforce age verification for NA beer to avoid any confusion or mistakes at the checkout. The identical branding and packaging can make it difficult for cashiers to distinguish between alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of a product, making a universal carding policy a simpler and safer option for the store.

Athletic Brewing and the Sub-0.5% ABV Standard

Athletic Brewing utilizes a proprietary brewing process that keeps the alcohol content below the 0.5% ABV federal threshold for classification as non-alcoholic. Unlike some other NA brands, Athletic does not remove the alcohol after brewing, but instead controls the fermentation process to ensure it never reaches a significant alcohol level. However, this technical distinction does not override state or retailer policies. The brand's products are still subject to the same confusing regulations that apply to other non-alcoholic beers. For example, a minor in California or Texas might legally purchase an Athletic brew, while a minor in Wisconsin or Oregon could be denied at the register due to a store's universal ID check policy for all beer-like products.

Comparison of State Regulations for Non-Alcoholic Beer Purchases


State Type	Characteristics	Example States	Potential Purchase Age	Store Carding Policy	Can You Buy Athletic Brew Under 21?
No Explicit Restriction	No state law prohibits minors from purchasing non-alcoholic beverages below 0.5% ABV.	California, Illinois, Texas	Any Age	Varies by retailer. Some stores may still card everyone for all beer products.	Likely Yes, subject to retailer policy.
Explicit Purchase Ban	State law specifically forbids the sale of NA beer to individuals under 21.	Seventeen states, including Florida and Kansas.	21+ Only	Universal 21+ check for all beer products.	No, not legally possible.
Consumption Ban	State law prohibits minors from consuming fermented beverages, regardless of low ABV.	Fourteen states, including Kansas, ban minor consumption of NA beer.	21+ Only for Purchase	Universal 21+ check for all beer products.	No, and consumption is also illegal.
Retailer Discretion	No state law prevents sale, but stores can set their own 21+ policy to avoid confusion.	Varies widely, even within 'No Explicit Restriction' states.	Varies by store	May be enforced by computer systems at checkout for any beer-like product.	Depends entirely on the store's policy.

The Retailer's Perspective on Carding

Beyond state laws, store policy is a significant factor. Major grocery chains and other retailers often have internal protocols that err on the side of caution. Point-of-sale (POS) systems can be programmed to automatically prompt an ID check for any item categorized as 'beer' or 'beer-like,' regardless of its ABV. This automation helps prevent human error and potential liability for selling restricted products to minors. Cashiers may also be trained to card any customer for a beer-like product to maintain consistency and avoid confrontation. While frustrating for underage customers seeking a non-alcoholic option, this is a business-driven safety measure rather than a legal requirement in many cases.

Can minors consume Athletic brew?

This is another area of inconsistency. While some states have specific laws against minor consumption of non-alcoholic beer, others permit it, especially with parental supervision. In some jurisdictions, the consumption of NA beverages by a minor is legal, even if the purchase is restricted. Again, it is critical to know your local laws. The public perception that NA beer is exclusively for adults often complicates matters further, particularly in social settings or in front of law enforcement.

Conclusion: Navigating the Rules

For those under 21 asking "can you buy athletic brew under 21," the definitive answer is not universal. It hinges on the specific state and even the specific retail location where the purchase is attempted. While federal law does not impose age limits on beverages below 0.5% ABV, a significant number of states have stricter regulations. Retailer policies further complicate the issue, often leading to automatic ID requests for all beer-like products, regardless of alcohol content. The best course of action is to research the laws in your specific state and understand that even in states with no age restriction, individual store policies may still result in a refusal of sale. Navigating this area requires awareness and an understanding of the legal and commercial factors at play.

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice. Laws regarding non-alcoholic beverages change frequently. Always consult local laws or legal professionals for the most current information.

Frequently Asked Questions

In Texas, there are no age restrictions on purchasing non-alcoholic beer under state law. However, retailers can set their own policies. Many stores have systems or store-wide rules that require an ID check for all beer products, including NA ones, to prevent errors.

Retailers often card for non-alcoholic beer to avoid confusion and potential legal issues. Because NA beer often looks and is packaged like alcoholic beer, a blanket policy of carding for all beer products prevents cashiers from making mistakes. Store POS systems may also automatically prompt an age check for these items.

Under U.S. federal law, beverages with less than 0.5% ABV are not legally considered alcoholic. This means federal law does not impose age restrictions on their sale. However, states have the authority to create their own, stricter regulations regarding the sale and consumption of NA beer.

This depends on the state. While some states permit minors to consume NA beer with parental consent, other states explicitly prohibit minors from consuming any fermented beverages, regardless of the ABV. It is important to check local laws.

Yes, in states like California, Illinois, and Texas, there are no state-level age restrictions on purchasing beverages like Athletic brew, which is below 0.5% ABV. However, individual store policies could still prevent a purchase.

Athletic brew is legally classified as non-alcoholic because it contains less than 0.5% ABV. Athletic Brewing uses a proprietary method to brew the beer to this specification, rather than removing alcohol later. For a completely alcohol-free option, some brands offer 0.0% ABV products.

Most online retailers of non-alcoholic beer, including Athletic Brewing's own website, require age verification to access their site and complete a purchase. This is a common practice to comply with laws and promote responsible retailing, even for products that are technically non-alcoholic.