Washington MAST (Mandatory Alcohol Server Training) Practice Exam

What type of beverages are typically considered “alcoholic”?

1. Beverages containing 0.5% or more alcohol by volume

2. Beverages containing less than 0.5% alcohol by volume

3. Beverages containing no alcohol

4. Beverages that can cause intoxication

The correct answer is: Beverages containing 0.5% or more alcohol by volume

The definition of alcoholic beverages is based on their alcohol content measured by alcohol by volume (ABV). Beverages that contain 0.5% or more alcohol by volume are classified as alcoholic because this threshold indicates that they possess sufficient amounts of alcohol to produce measurable effects in a person consuming them. For example, typical alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine, and spirits usually have much higher levels of alcohol than this minimum standard, making it a clear category within alcoholic beverages. Understanding this threshold is important for compliance with alcohol laws and regulations, as establishments that serve or sell alcohol must be aware of what constitutes an alcoholic beverage in order to properly handle, serve, and monitor consumption. Hence, beverages containing 0.5% or more alcohol by volume are explicitly recognized as alcoholic drinks.