It wasn’t a regular grocery store scanner. It was a new type of scanner that could read torn and mangled labels that was being shown at a grocer’s convention.

Isn’t it a bit difficult to find summer ales in December?

Trying to drink all the alcohol you can by 11 is the worst possible idea. There is a zero percent chance you will actually stop drinking if you pursue that course of action. Just don’t drink, it’s not worth it.