I still like the idea of 18-20 year olds being allowed to order a drink with their meal (possibly restricted to beer or wine, and possibly also only if their parents are with them), while still not being allowed to buy their own liquor at a package store.
Alcohol was never a big deal in my family. When I was growing up, I always (ever since I can remember) got a glass of wine with dinner when my folks had wine. Obviously, when I was little it was a tiny little cordial glass, then I graduated to half a glass, then a full glass. But I always had at least a taste. My father is a wine connoisseur (ok, wine snob
) and he taught me from a young age the differences between various grapes, why you chill white wines, why you let red wines breathe, etc. Most importantly, he taught me to appreciate wine for its taste and for its enhancement of the meal - not as a means to get drunk.
So, sigmagrrl, I have to disagree with your statement: "you want to get drunk and get loose without worrying about getting in trouble....If it's truly the taste, drink alcohol free!" Yes, a lot of people do drink to get drunk; but a lot of people also use alcohol in moderation as an enhancement to their meals or as a way to relax with friends. As for alcohol-free wine, it just doesn't have the subtleties that alcoholic wines have.
I'm taking wine as an example, but the same could be said for beer or hard liquor/mixed drinks. Growing up as I did, I learned to appreciate alcohol as part of a meal - and I still do. This, not the 21 drinking age, is what has made me a responsible drinker.