Measure would increase consumer convenience in the Commonwealth
Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed SB 566, a bill that was amended to allow the sale of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails from additional retail outlets that already sell malt- and wine-based RTDs. The bill now heads to the House for concurrence.
“The ready-to-drink cocktail trend is taking off across the country, but spirits consumers in Pennsylvania are at an extreme disadvantage when trying to purchase these products,” said David Wojnar, senior vice president and head of state government relations at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. “Currently, there are 0.6 spirits outlets per 10,000 people in Pennsylvania – well below the national average of 3.4 outlets per 10,000 people – which means these pre-mixed cocktails are much harder to find. SB 566 simply allows stores that already sell beverage alcohol to also sell spirits-based RTD products, increasing consumer convenience, supporting local businesses and boosting state tax revenues. We commend Senator Mike Regan for his leadership on this issue and for supporting Pennsylvania consumers.”
Under the bill, spirits-based RTDs would be allowed to be sold from state stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, beer distributors and local bars. States across the U.S. are considering similar expansions to provide consumers with the same equal access to wine-, malt-/beer- and spirits-based RTD products in the marketplace.