antwerp_newbie_frAt what age is it legal to drink in Belgium
I am 17 and wondering if I can legally buy wine and wants to know the maximum alcohol percentage I can purchase. I just learned that some places have different rules so I am a bit confused.
Accepted answer
been_there_done_thatLaw is quite clear even if people argue about it... you can buy beer, wine, and cider starting at 16 years old. But for spirits, fortified wines like sherry, or pre-mixed drinks with distilled alcohol, the limit is 18. This applies the same way in Brussels, Wallonia, and Flanders. In my experience, shops are very strict about flavored beers that have tequila or other spirits in them; those are prohibited for anyone under 18 even if the label says beer.
design_eye_antwerpPeople always get confused about the difference between high alcohol beers and those spirit-infused beers or wine coolers !
not_so_sure_guy3Watch out because retailers are legally allowed to refuse a sale if you cannot show a valid ID to prove your age. I got stuck at the supermarket last week for this very reason.
belgian_witI saw a few small bars and cafes in brussels that dont even bother checking IDs so they let 16 year olds in all the time, it is much more relaxed in those places than in the big shops
old_guard_vla2Legal definitions of what counts as spirits is very confusing and the government does a poor job explaining it to the public.
Cheers