I'm not sure about requiring a 16 year old to be charged with a crime for a police officer to take him beer away, so I understand this argument to some degree.

I'm not sure about requiring a 16 year old to be charged with a crime for a police officer to take him beer away, so I understand this argument to some degree. Why confiscate the beer? Dump it out and return the bottles. The officer is just helping the kid to come into compliance with the law.