Bill to expand ready-to-drink cocktail sales heads to governor

Pennsylvania residents may soon be able to buy ready to drink cocktails where they buy beer and wine.

Pa. Senate Bill 688 has passed in both the house and senate and is heading to Gov. Josh Shapiro to sign.

Both the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association and the Pennsylvania chapter of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States are urging him to do so.

Th bill amends the state’s liquor code to allow retailers such as grocery and convenience stores to sell ready-to-drink beverages, which are also sometimes called canned cocktails.

Under current law, these products are restricted to state-run liquor stores because the base alcohol is liquor. However, such beverages are low alcohol and have the same volume of alcohol typically found in beer or wine, which can be sold at grocery and convenience stores.

Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA said the bill represents a major step forward for the food and beverage industry.

“It offers consumers greater convenience and choice while supporting local businesses. We eagerly await the governor's signature to bring this exciting change to our state. This bill not only meets the evolving preferences of our customers but also provides a boost to our economy by opening new market opportunities for retailers,” Baloga said.

Andy Deloney, senior vice president of state government relations at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States said the bill gives equitable treatment to the beverages.

“The legislature recognizes that these products which share the same alcohol content as beer and wine seltzers are no different than products already being sold in grocery and convenience stores. SB 688 removes the unnecessary prohibition of spirits ready-to-drink cocktail sales from additional retail outlets,” Deloney said.

He noted that a recent survey showed consumers support greater access to these products, including in grocery and convenience stores, with 86% agreeing that spirits RTDs should be sold where beer and wine are available for purchase.

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