Balding shopper Philip Lewis was furious when he was refused four cans of lager because he didn’t have ID – despite being 58.
The printer – who has a moustache and receding grey hair – picked up the pack of Fosters as he paid for fuel as an Esso garage.
But the jobsworth checkout operator refused to sell him the alcohol unless he produced photographic ID to prove he was over 18.
Mr Lewis did not have any on him – and was forced to leave empty-handed.
Petrol station bosses have since apologised and admitted the shop assistant had applied “a little too much zeal” to its strict policy on alcohol sales.
Mr Lewis, of Radstock, Somerset, said: “I could understand it if I was nearer 25 and looked that way but I will be 59 in June. I don’t carry my driving licence with me.
“There was a queue behind me and I felt really humiliated and demoralised. I reckon I spend about #2,000 in there on petrol and magazines over a year – and I was made to feel like that at my age.”
Mr Lewis said he is boycotting the Norton Service Station in Midsomer Norton, Somerset, after the incident.
He added: “We apologise to Mr Lewis for any offence or inconvenience caused during his visit to the service station.
“While we have strict rules concerning the sale of alcohol, it is clear they were applied with a little too much zeal on this occasion.
“We have advised the sales assistant accordingly, and will contact Mr Lewis to offer him a small gift as a goodwill gesture.”
