PA Grocers May Soon Offer RTD Cocktails

Consumers in Pennsylvania may soon be able to buy ready-to-drink canned cocktails from retailers that offer beer and wine, reports local news source Northcentral PA. Senate Bill 688 passed in the state Senate in a 26-24 vote.

The bill, which would amend the Liquor Code to allow for low-alcohol by volume spirits-based cocktails to be sold with beer and wine, now heads to the House for consideration, according to the report. Currently, these products are only sold at liquor stores, whereas beer and wine can be sold in grocery stores.

“This is a great first step in providing increased consumer convenience in Pennsylvania,” said Andy Deloney, SVP of state government relations at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, in a statement. “This bill will create additional retail opportunities for consumers looking to purchase popular spirits ready-to-drink cocktails where they already get beer and wine products.”

The Council also noted that despite having the same alcohol content as beer-and wine-based canned cocktails, RTD spirits face the disadvantage of being permitted at 10,000 fewer stores in the state. Full Story