Harrisburg, PA — Starting yesterday, thanks to bipartisan legislation signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania grocery stores, gas stations, and other retail liquor licensees and beer distributors began selling ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDC). Today, the Governor stopped by a Rutter’s in Duncannon alongside legislative leaders and members of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) to pick up some canned cocktails to go and spread the word to Pennsylvanians.
Act 86 of 2024 created a new RTDC permit, which authorizes permittees to sell pre-mixed spirits-based RTDC ranging from 0.5 percent alcohol beverage by volume (ABV) to 12.5 percent ABV in original containers up to 16 ounces for off-premises consumption (to go). The PLCB began accepting permit applications from retail liquor licensees and distributors and importing distributors of malt and brewed beverages for RTDC permits on August 27.
To date, the PLCB had received 1,595 RTDC applications and issued 1,416 permits. The PLCB will continue to review and approve permits as they are received. Licensees interested in applying for a RTDC permit can do so through PLCB+, the PLCB’s online licensing and regulatory platform.
Read what business owners and industry leaders are saying about expanding the access to sell ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDC):
“Our stores have been a destination for beer and wine since 2011 and 2016, respectively, and we have heard from our customers about the convenience of being able to grab ready-to-drink cocktails while grocery shopping too,” said Rebecca Lupfer, senior vice president and chief merchant, The GIANT Company. “We’re excited to expand our offering to customers starting today, with canned cocktails rolling out to 138 stores across Pennsylvania.”
“We are thrilled with this opportunity — this is going to be a benefit for our business and for my contemporaries across the state,” said Bill Shaner, owner of Hampton Beer Outlet in Hampton Township. “There's a wide variety that we'll be able to carry — over 100 products that are available to us. It's definitely going to be an asset and probably the most important thing for customers is going to be having the convenience of a ‘one-stop shop.'”
“I think it’s a great opportunity for more revenue for the business," said Konstantine Pappas, owner of Rookie's Craft Burger Bar in Harrisburg. “It’s income for the state, but if we make money and the state makes money, it’s a win-win."
“For the first time ever, Pennsylvania’s adult consumers can find their favorite spirits ready-to-drink cocktails alongside beer and wine products in grocery and convenience stores,” said Andy Deloney, senior vice president of state government relations at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. “There is no difference between the alcohol found in a spirits ready-to-drink cocktail and a beer or wine seltzer. We thank the legislature and Governor Shapiro for their support of Pennsylvania consumers and look forward to seeing the continued market growth of spirits RTDs in the commonwealth.”
Read more about the Governor’s visit and how the Shapiro Administration brought people together to expand the availability of RTDC’s below:
NBC10: You can now grab ready-to-drink cocktails in more Pa. stores
ABC27: Canned cocktail sales expanding under new Pennsylvania law
TribLive: Canned cocktail sales expand among Pennsylvania retailers following liquor code reform
Central Pennsylvania Business Journal: Ready-to-drink cocktails hit Pennsylvania retail shelves
WPXI: Pennsylvania grocery stores, gas stations can sell canned cocktails in stores starting Monday
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