Pennsylvania Beer Bill On Its Way To Becoming Law
PITTSBURGH (AP/KDKA) -- Freshly passed legislation to liberalize laws on the sale of beer in Pennsylvania is on its way to becoming law.
Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement Thursday that he'll sign the bill. It passed the Senate and House in quick succession barely a day earlier.
Under it, beer distributors would be allowed to sell suds in any quantities, including individual 32-ounce bottles, four-packs, six-packs and growlers.
"I think it's great we have a lot of customers who want six packs," said Dave Rina with Steel City Beer Outlet.
Some people say they will stick with their case-buying.
"We always get a case, it's just easier we're not going back and forth," said Becky Stenger.
Matt Altmyer with McTighe's Beer Distributor said he isn't sure they will make the change.
"I think it's a nice idea but it doesn't really work out with the volume you have at a distributor in Pennsylvania," he said.
The bill would also would let bars sell alcohol starting at 9 a.m. on Sundays, without a requirement to serve food, and allow consumers to legally participate in beer-of-the-month clubs that ship beer directly to their homes. Sporting venues also could sell mixed drinks.
"If you're selling it in club level why can't the regular guy in the rest of the stadium be able to have a beer or a mixed drink," said Domenic Donovan.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
Grocery stores will no longer have to have a separate outside entrance into a café where beer and wine are sold in their stores. That architectural restriction has prevented Giant Eagle from pursuing beer and wine sales at ten stores in the Pittsburgh area. Once this bill goes into law Giant Eagle will be free to pursue sales at its stores in:
- McIntyre Square
- Kennedy
- Rochester
- Bridgeville
- Latrobe
- Eastgate Plaza
- University Park
- West Mifflin
- Baden
- Chippewa
The state's 1,000-plus beer distributors had long sought the changes. It comes as the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board increasingly grants six-pack licenses to convenience stores and after sweeping changes to liquor laws enacted this summer allowed wine sales in grocery stores.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
