And here I thought that the US held the monopoly on stupid and confusing alcohol regulations. Now it appears that UK based grocery chain Tesco wants in on the action.

The rule in question is not a law but rather a company policy. It says that Tesco employees can ask for ID for age verification from any member of a party when alcohol is being purchased. The goal is to curb underage drinking by making it tougher for adults to buy alcohol for minors. The result is instances like this where a father can’t buy a six-pack with his 16-year-old daughter in tow.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m all about businesses being able to do whatever they want so long as it’s legal and ethical even if it’s stupid. And this rule is most certainly that. In the first place, it’s easy enough to circumvent by those wishing to do so. If an adult wishes to buy alcohol for someone under 18 and knows about this rule he would simply tell his mate to wait outside. But the rule will really inconvenience people like the fellow sited above. Parents apparently must now hire a sitter if they want to run down to Tesco for some beer.

Or perhaps – and maybe this is where the stupidity of this move will dawn on the geniuses at Tesco headquarters – beer lovers will begin going elsewhere for their shopping.