Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) has released the fourth episode of its podcast series Spirited Discussions: A Podcast by Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services. The series helps residents and businesses understand alcohol products, trends and policies in Montgomery County. The fourth episode, “Underage Compliance Checks,” examines how and why the County and other jurisdictions employ young people to conduct random checks to make sure businesses are not selling or serving alcohol to anyone under age 21.
In the podcast, ABS Compliance Manager Joe Cannon and Montgomery County Police Department Sergeant Patrick Kepp join host Jocelyn Rawat to explain the underage compliance check program and how it keeps the community safe, promotes fairness among businesses and offers employment opportunities to young people. Guests discuss what a compliance check looks like, how businesses are succeeding, why preventing under-21 drinking matters and how people aged 18-20 can apply for this unique job.
In an underage compliance check, an “underage volunteer” (UV) aged 18-20, accompanied by an alcohol inspector and a police officer, attempts to purchase alcohol at a licensed establishment using their real Maryland-issued identification. In most cases, the business rejects the sale and the check is complete. If the business sells alcohol to the UV, the business receives a fine and the server receives a criminal citation. The goal of the checks is to increase the perception that vendors will be caught if they sell alcohol to people who are under 21.
“Jurisdictions across the country conduct compliance checks as a way of protecting young people from the dangers of under-21 drinking,” said Compliance Manager Cannon. “This is not a ‘sting operation,’ but rather a way to ensure an environment for healthy cognitive, social and educational development. We’re simply trying to keep kids safe.”
ABS hires and trains people 18-20 to complete the compliance checks. Successful applicants will look their age, will demonstrate a commitment to their community and will have a confident demeanor. Interested candidates should email abslicensing@montgomerycountymd.gov.
The Alcohol Beverage Services podcast is posted on the department’s website at montgomerycountymd.gov/abs/press-release and is available on several podcast platforms including Amazon, Apple and Spotify. Subscribe to the podcast by selecting the “follow” or “plus” button on your provider’s podcast platform.
Listeners are encouraged to email ideas and questions for future episodes to abs.spiriteddiscussions@montgomerycountymd.gov.
The first episode of the podcast series introduced listeners to ABS’s three main functions—wholesale operations, retail stores and licensing and regulation. Subsequent episodes highlighted the art and science of “whiskey barrel picks” and defined the “control model” for alcohol distribution. Upcoming episodes will examine local craft beverage producers and will help customers select wines.
The Office of Broadband Programs in the County’s Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Services (TEBS) is providing technical support for the ABS podcast.
ABS is the alcohol wholesaler of beer, wine and spirits for Montgomery County and operates 27 retail stores throughout the County. In addition, ABS manages alcohol licensing, enforcement, and education for more than 1,000 businesses. Generating more than $35 million in net income annually, its profits are used to pay down County debt with a large portion deposited in the general fund to pay for resident services that otherwise would be funded by County tax dollars. Follow ABS on Facebook and X.
