Bill to Allow Spirits Ready-to-Drink Cocktails to be Sold Alongside Beer & Wine in Pennsylvania Passes Legislature, Heads to Governor for Final Approval

[Erik Owens]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                       Contact: Ainsley Giglierano

July 12, 2024                                                                                                                240-232-8108

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Last night, the Pennsylvania Senate approved Senate Bill 688, a bill to allow low alcohol-by-volume (ABV) spirits ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs) to be sold from certain retail outlets that already sell beer and wine products with the same or lower alcohol contents.

 

The bill now heads to Governor Josh Shapiro for signature.

 

“Pennsylvania’s adult consumers deserve the added convenience of buying their favorite spirits ready-to-drink cocktails where they already get similar beer and wine products,” said Andy Deloney, senior vice president of state government relations at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. “The legislature recognizes that these products – which share the same alcohol content as beer and wine seltzers – are no different than products already being sold in grocery and convenience stores. SB 688 removes the unnecessary prohibition of spirits ready-to-drink cocktail sales from additional retail outlets, and we urge Governor Shapiro to sign market modernization.”

 

A survey showed consumers support greater access to these products, including in grocery and convenience stores, with 86% agreeing that spirits RTDs should be sold where beer and wine are available for purchase. Despite having the exact same alcohol content as beer- and wine-based RTDs, spirits RTDs are at a more than 10,000 store disadvantage in the commonwealth.

Pennsylvania is one of many states taking a closer look at this issue to ensure that producers of spirits-based RTDs are being treated fairly, recognizing that treating beverages differently based on the myth that some alcohol is “softer” than others sends a dangerous message to consumers.

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The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States is the leading voice and advocate for distilled spirits in the U.S., advocating on legislative, regulatory and public affairs issues impacting the distilled spirits sector at the local, state, federal and international levels. DISCUS members are committed to responsibility and encourage adults who drink to do so in moderation.