Most places in the US will criminally charge the server for selling alcohol to a minor. In my jurisdiction it is a misdemeanor with a $5000 fine for a first offense. Police regularly conduct "sting" operations to catch minimum wage store clerks. The business might also face a penalty but the primary punishment falls on the clerk/server/bartender.
It's all pretty bonkers.
Re:Fake IDs in the age of the internet
by snovv_crash on Wednesday May 03, 2017 @11:42AM
(#14256702)
That's because in most of Europe you can buy beer from 16. Even in mid 20s most people are obviously not 16 any more.
The United States (from my perception) seems to have far more establishments serving alcohol, whose policy is to ask identification for everyone (or if not everyone, a ridiculously over-heavy subsection of their clients, eg "we check ID for anyone under 35"). Probably for CYA reasons.
I don't ever recall any place in Europe asking for ID when buying a beer over in there (even when I visited when I was in my mid 20s). Whereas, I still occasionally get asked for ID in the United States in spite of being over 40.