Recently, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed into law two significant liquor bills, Senate Bill 688 (SB 688) and House Bill 829 (HB 829), continuing Pennsylvania’s path toward enhanced consumer convenience when purchasing alcoholic beverages. The new laws, which go into effect on Sept. 15, 2024, promise to transform the state’s liquor landscape by offering more options at retailers. These laws are in the spirit of Pennsylvania’s reforms of its arcane liquor laws in favor of consumer choice.
A portion of SB 688 involves the expansion of the Ready-To-Drink (RTD) cocktail market. The ability of Pennsylvania distilleries to sell directly to RTD permit holders is a game-changer, yet it comes with the caveat of pricing restrictions if the State Store decides to carry their products. While this stipulation is aimed at maintaining fair market practices, it could potentially limit the competitive edge of local distilleries. Balancing state control with market freedom will be a delicate dance.