The same Fox News story notes that Anheuser-Busch's success comes on the back of 21 to 27 year olds.

Baker said beer volume can increase along with the growth of the 21-year old to 27-year old segment as beer volume is driven more by demographics than the economy.

What about the 16 to 21 year old demographic? I am a strong believer in lowering or abolishing minimum drinking ages. Our mothers and fathers grew up being able to drink at age 18, and they turned out ok. Many foreign countries, like Germany, the drinking age is even lower, or does not exist at all.

The idea that it somehow reduces teen drinking and driving, or accidents is incorrectly held up as justification for raising the drinking age. By that logic, you should raise the drinking age to 45, to cut down on alcohol related deaths and accidents in the 21 to 45 age group.

When a person turns 18, they are considered an adult. They are permitted to fight a war for our military, vote in elections, drive an automobile, purchase a firearm, rent or buy a house, pilot an aircraft. However, they still cannot take a drink. There is something wrong with that logic. Why is it that the same people that are against 18 year olds being permitted to drink are in favor of trying 16 year olds as an adult for serious crimes? Parents let their children watch violent movies and play violent video games, but alcohol (and sex for that matter) are considered taboo.

There is no doubt in my mind that an 18 year old still has a lot of immaturity. They are still developing into an adult, and may not be the most responsible person in the world. However, I feel that responsibility comes from experience. Just like teaching minors proper firearm safety is much better than hiding your pistol on the top closet shelf, teaching minors and young adults that alcoholic consumption also comes with great responsibility is better than an outright ban. Besides kids are always trying to grow up fast any way. Reserving alcoholic consumption for the arbitrary age of 21 only serves as encouragement for under-21 kids to try to sneak a drink. The desire to feel and act older is a strong one, and forbidding alcohol only serves to increase that desire.