Bill to expand ready-to-drink cocktail sales passes out of Pa. House committee

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States is applauding the passage of a bill benefiting alcohol sales out of state committee.

Earlier this week, the Pennsylvania House Liquor Control Committee passedSenate Bill 688. It’sabill which wouldallow low alcohol-by-volume (ABV) spirits ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs) to be sold from certain retail outlets that already sell beer and wine productswith the same or lower alcohol contents.

The bill now heads to the fullHouse for consideration.

The website Overproof.com, which tracks food and beverage sales, gave an example of Cutwater Spirits, which has a LimeMargaritamade withtequilaas the base spirit as a type of low alcohol ready-to drink-cocktails.

“Allowing adult consumers to purchase their favorite spirits ready-to-drink cocktails where they already buy beer and wine just makes sense,”said Andy Deloney, senior vice president of state government relations at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.“These products contain the same amount of alcohol as products already being sold in grocery and convenience stores, so consumers shouldn’t have to make an extra trip to purchase them.We urge the House to pass SB 688 in support of Pennsylvania consumers and businesses.”

DeLoney noted that a recentsurveyshowed 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.

He said that despite having the exact same alcohol content as beer- and wine-based RTDs, spirits RTDs are at a more than 10,000 store disadvantage in the state.

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