Bethesda locals looking to grab their favorite bottle of spirits can expect a tech-savvy twist at the checkout line, as Montgomery County’s Department of Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) launches a mobile ID pilot program at their Westbard retail store. Starting Feb. 5, patrons of Westbard Oak Barrel & Vine will have the opportunity to use their smartphones as a legitimate form of identification for alcohol purchases, an innovation first for government-run alcohol distribution in the region.
The initiative, a collaboration between ABS and the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), will be unveiled during a kick-off event set for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Westbard Oak Barrel & Vine store, nestled at 5390 Westbard Avenue. ABS Director Kathie Durbin and MVA Administrator Christine Nizer are both set to attend, demonstrating the app, dubbed Mobile ID Check by MD, and toasting to the first customer successfully using the Maryland mobile ID for age verification as per a statement obtained by Montgomery County Government News.
Maryland’s Mobile ID, which enables residents to safely store their driver's license or state ID on their phones, has reportedly been adopted by over 250,000 Marylanders since its inception in 2022, as noted by Montgomery County Government News. This technology is not only a convenience but also a stride towards reducing underage drinking with additional layers of authentication – and it's been recognized at TSA checkpoints and select restaurants at the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
ABS, not only a retailer but the wholesaler for beer, wine, and spirits in Montgomery County also manages the alcohol licensing and education for over 1,000 establishments; bolstering the local economy with over $35 million in net income annually. The Westbard Oak Barrel & Vine store now supports Mobile ID, a new initiative by county and state agencies aiming to make digital IDs the future in Maryland, Kathie Durbin stated, "Customers will appreciate the convenience of conducting the entire transaction, including the ID check, on their cellphone" in an interview with Montgomery County Government News. If the pilot program proves successful, ABS considers expanding the use of mobile IDs to its other 27 retail locations, leading the way for other counties and regions to follow suit.
To embrace the new digital world and the Maryland Mobile ID system, Marylanders need only download their free app, Mobile ID Check by MD and add their personal ID to Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or Samsung Wallet. For those curious about this cutting-edge tech should head over to the MVA's website to learn more about this seamless solution designed for privacy and protection in the era of digital identification.
