Legal Drinking Age: A World Map Full of Contradictions Somewhere you can buy beer at 16, somewhere else only at 21, and in some countries it's forbidden even if you're over forty. Alcohol law is not just a number, it's a cultural code, historical memory, and a political compromise. Why do people in Europe drink earlier than in America? Why is there a dry law in Muslim countries, but in the UK you can buy wine in a supermarket at 18, but beer in a pub at 16? And what lies behind these differences? We embarked on a journey across countries and continents to understand how people relate to alcohol and at what age they are officially allowed to get to know it. USA: 21 Years — and That's It The United States is one of the few countries where the minimum legal drinking age is 21. This is the highest threshold in the developed world. Why so late? It all started in 1984 when President Reagan signed a law that required all states to raise the age to 21 under the threat of losing federal funding for roads. Since then, 21 has become a sacred number. However, there are some exceptions in some states: for example, alcohol can be consumed in a private home with parental permission. But you can only buy or serve in a bar at 21. This creates a paradox: in the USA, you can drive a car at 16, vote at 18, but only drink at 21. This gives rise to numerous protests, but the law remains unchanged. As a result, many American students travel to Canada or Mexico, where alcohol is allowed earlier. This has led to the thriving of \"alcohol tourism\" in border cities in Canada. Europe: From 16 to 18 and Some Flexibility In Europe, the legal drinking age is a kaleidoscope. In most countries, it is 18 years: France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Austria, Switzerland. But there are exceptions. In Germany, beer and wine can be bought at 16, but spirits at 18. This is related to the tradition of beer gardens and a culture of moderate consumption. In the UK, too, it's 18 for all types of alcoh ... Read more