Booze News

Proposed Changes to Beer Sales Has Tavern Owners Bent Out of Shape

No matter how you look at it, it's a lose, lose situation.
No matter how you look at it, it’s a lose, lose situation. Photo: istockphoto

Even with the LCB debate sidelined and privatization proponent Mike Turzai preoccupied with rigging this fall’s general election, tavern owners in Pennsylvania are getting bent out of shape about changes to beer sales in the proposed (and hopelessly stalled) overhaul of liquor laws. Seems those who own bars that are licensed to sell six-packs for take-out aren’t too keen on plans to ease rules on how beer distributors can sell beer. Under the current law, beer stores can only sell cases of beer. Reforms to the state’s antiquated and forever frustrating rules for alcohol sales call for allowing distributors to sell six- and 12-packs.

Bar owners argue that this will severely eat into their profits from sales of take-out beer, and was not what they signed up for when they purchased licenses — to the tune of $250,000 in most cases — to sell six-packs. But limiting beer drinkers by permitting them to buy only cases, or worse, allowing them to be severely gouged for six-packs purchased over the bar is by no means fair either. No matter how you slice it, this business of modernizing and/or privatizing alcohol sales is destined to leave everyone involved ticked off.

Take-out beer sales stuck in overhaul of Pa. liquor laws
[Inquirer]

Earlier: Breaking: The Privatization Debate Is Officially Declared Dead!

Proposed Changes to Beer Sales Has Tavern Owners Bent Out of Shape