By Ronnie Curry | ClayCoNews
MANCHESTER, KY — In Kentucky, picking up a six-pack of beer should be a simple transaction — but depending on where you shop, it can feel like a hassle, especially when you're clearly over the legal drinking age and still being asked for ID.
If you've ever wondered whether it's state law or just a store policy, here's what you need to know — and why some stores, like Dollar General, can be more of a headache than others.
What Kentucky Law Actually Says
Under KRS 244.085, it’s illegal to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under 21. But — and this is key — Kentucky law does not require ID checks for every alcohol sale.
The law simply states:
- If a customer appears under 21, the clerk must verify age.
- If the customer is clearly over 21, ID is not legally required.
- Sellers are protected if they check ID and reasonably rely on it in good faith, even if it later turns out to be fake.
In short: You don’t have to be carded if you look well over 21, but the store can still choose to ask.
Why Big Stores Still Ask Everyone for ID
Many large retailers — including Walmart, Dollar General, Kroger, and others have company policies that go beyond the law.
Take Walmart, for example:
- Their register system prompts the cashier to choose whether the customer appears over or under 40.
- If the answer is “under 40,” a valid photo ID is required.
- Even if you're 50 but “look 39,” you might be getting carded — but often, Walmart clerks who know their regulars use discretion and make the process easier.
Now compare that to Dollar General, where the policy is much stricter:
- When beer is scanned, the register typically requires a scanned photo ID, no matter the customer’s age.
- Even if you’re 74 and a regular, no ID often means no sale — and most employees can’t override the system.
- Many customers find this inflexible, especially in smaller communities where folks know each other by name.
A Real-World Difference in Customer Experience
As someone who’s spent plenty of time in both stores, I can say firsthand: Walmart’s not so bad when the clerks know you. The "over 40" option at the register allows familiar faces to skip the ID scan, as long as the employee is comfortable with it.
Dollar General is another story. There’s no real room for judgment — even if you’re clearly well over 21 with cash in your pocket, no ID usually means you’re leaving without the beer. It’s a strict, policy-driven process that doesn't leave much room for local understanding.
What Clay County Customers Should Know
If you plan on buying beer or other alcohol in Clay County, here’s the honest truth:
- Don’t forget your wallet — especially at Dollar General, where no ID often means no sale.
- Walmart is more flexible if the staff know you, but they still follow corporate prompts.
- Local mom-and-pop stores may be more reasonable, but they’re also under pressure to avoid any mistake that could cost them their license.
It’s not the clerk’s fault — it’s the system they’re working under. But as customers, it helps to know what kind of treatment to expect before you get to the checkout line.
As a former liquor license holder in Ohio — for both bar service and carryout and a nightclub operator in Kentucky, I’ve noticed how the process has changed over time. Today, it appears to be about more than simply age verification. A lot of folks feel the constant scanning and ID requirements are part of a larger push toward government tracking and and I can’t really say they’re wrong, because sometimes that thought crosses my own mind too. Especially since there's no rational or legally required reason for a Dollar General or any other business to ask an elderly person for age verification in order to purchase beer, something just ain't right.
At the end of the day, customers just want a smooth transaction and some basic respect — it’s not just about buying beer, it’s about being treated like a suspect when you’re a grown adult. Knowing the law and the way different stores handle it is a good place to start.
Sources:
- KRS 244.085 – Alcohol sales to minors: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=50405
- Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC)
- Internal policy references from Walmart and Dollar General employee training manuals
