ServSafe Alcohol Practice Exam

Do guests need to be a certain age to purchase alcohol in the United States?

1. 19 years old

2. 21 years old

3. 18 years old

4. 16 years old

The correct answer is: 21 years old

In the United States, the legal age for purchasing alcohol is 21 years old, which is established by the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. This federal law requires all states to enforce a minimum legal drinking age of 21, and as a result, any individual under this age is prohibited from purchasing alcohol. This regulation aims to reduce alcohol-related problems among young people, particularly those under the age of 21, who are statistically more likely to experience adverse consequences from alcohol consumption. Consequently, any options suggesting ages lower than 21 reflect misconceptions about legal drinking laws, as they do not align with the established federal mandate or the practices enforced in every state.