Many folks that move here are shocked when they hear that children are legally able to drink with their parents permission..."Kids can drink?!?" It's not an open approval: parents must be with the children.

Most taverns/restaurants have more restrictive house-policies that do NOT allow parental approval.

Minnesota is even more interesting: kids can have a drink with their parents in their home, but as soon as they leave with or without their parents it's a zero tolerance for alcohol in minors...hence they have to stay home until they are completely sober or they are breaking the law.

In the USA, alcohol is the most regulated group of products available for sale. that's what happens when you get founded by a bunch of puritans!

cheers, scamborn