The beverage alcohol industry includes companies that market beers and brews (malt liquors), wines and sparkling wines (such as champagne), and distilled spirits (e.g., whiskey, vodka, scotch, gin, rum, and flavored liquors). Businesses must obtain a special license to sell one or more of the above categories of products. For example, if a restaurant has only a beer and wine license, it cannot serve other types of alcoholic beverages.

In the United States, it is illegal to sell alcoholic beverages to minors, or those who are less than 21 years of age. Yet every day, thousands of minors buy beer and wine coolers with no questions asked by store clerks or owners. Even if a store refuses to sell to them, minors can often get around the law by finding an older friend to buy the alcohol for them. The...