Non-Alcoholic beer or 0.5% beer is a good alternative for those who want to enjoy a beer without the lasting effects of alcohol.

If someone is trying to live a sober lifestyle, enjoys the taste of beer but doesn't want to get drunk, or wants to drink at dinner and be able to drive home, NA's are a great second option. The biggest and most obvious difference between an NA beer and an alcoholic beer is...*shocking I know* the alcohol content.

Most standard beers you buy at a gas station or a liquor store will normally range between 4-6% alcohol content. NA's contain less than 0.5% alcohol by volume. Does this technically make it an alcoholic beverage? Not according to the FDA. The FDA will often refer to these types of drinks as "cereal beverages." It's important to remember that NA beers will have the same or less ABV than many common juices.

Did you know you can technically drink an NA beer while driving? You can surely be pulled over and have your sobriety checked but it's not illegal in Iowa.

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If the FDA doesn't consider beer with less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) an alcoholic beverage, could someone under the age of 21 legally purchase a 6 pack in Iowa?

Is It Legal?

Since NA beer is technically not an alcoholic drink, you might think that anyone could walk into a liquor store and grab a few, regardless of how old they are. Apparently, that is not the case in every state. Even tho NA beers are not considered alcoholic beverages, they are still regulated by the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, according to the NA Beer Club.

When it comes to Iowa, you are legally allowed to buy NA beer if you are under 21.

According to the NA Beer Club, Iowa, and 15 other states allow people under the age of 21 to buy NA beer. It's kind of funny that the Midwest has a stereotype for drinking a lot because there's nothing to do and 4 of the most "Midwestern' states in the country allow this. Some states do vary on the age requirements for buying NA beer, such as Ohio, where you do have to at least be 18 years of age.

You Can Buy It But Can You Drink It?

If you can legally buy NA beer in Iowa, one would assume that means you can drink it under the age of 21. The NA Beer Club does say that you can drink NA beer under the age of 21 in Iowa. Once again, this isn't the case for every state.

Alabama permits consuming NA beer with parental permission or in the presence of a parent/legal guardian. Mississippi permits those who are over 18 and are with a parent/guardian. Oklahoma permits consumption with a parent/guardian as long as the possession or consumption does not occur in an establishment licensed to sell alcohol. West Virginia allows this only if the parent is related by blood or marriage.

If you believe your son or daughter is mature enough to consume NA beer without possible negative effects down the road, they're legally allowed to crack open a cold one after a hard day at school.

*Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. Please consult with your lawyer or local law enforcement regarding NA beer consumption for those under 21 years old*