I actually think Massachusetts Law requires a Mass. ID, a U.S. Passport, or U.S. military ID to purchase alcohol anywhere in the Commonwealth. This law is infrequently enforced, as I've certainly bought beer with an out of state ID, but I have been refused once, and I saw a guy get refused a couple of weeks ago when he tried to buy beer with a Guatamalan passport. It is a very dumb law.
According to the Mass General Laws Title XX Chapter 138 Section 34B: (http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/138-34b.htm)
Any licensee, or agent or employee thereof, under this chapter who reasonably relies on such a liquor purchase identification card or motor vehicle license issued pursuant to section eight of chapter ninety, or on a valid passport issued by the United States government, or by the government, recognized by the United States government, of a foreign country, or a valid United States issued military identification card, for proof of a person’s identity and age shall not suffer any modification, suspension, revocation or cancellation of such license [bolding mine]
So it looks like it's okay to accept a foreign passport as ID. Still a hassle, I suppose, to try and verify stuff in a different format and/or language. But I do wonder how much verification they actually do of Massachusetts IDs and US passports. I don't remember anybody doing more than glancing at mine.
Though looking at that section again, it seems to apply only to "Druggists". Er. Surely it can't be completely different for other booze-selling establishments?
Re: from the horse's mouth
Date: 2007-04-20 07:22 pm (UTC)Re: from the horse's mouth
Date: 2007-04-20 07:45 pm (UTC)Re: from the horse's mouth
Date: 2007-04-20 07:47 pm (UTC)