Buying Beer In Pennsylvania: What's The Deal?

Pennsylvania's alcohol laws are notoriously confusing, with some of the strictest regulations in the United States. The state's complex relationship with alcohol can be traced back to the Prohibition era and the influence of Gifford Pinchot, a teetotaler who served as governor from 1923 to 1935. While Prohibition was repealed during Pinchot's second term, he maintained his tough stance, believing that state control was the best way to prevent corruption in the alcohol industry. This historical context has had a significant impact on the current landscape of alcohol sales in Pennsylvania, with specific licenses and restrictions in place that affect where and how beer can be purchased.

Where to buy beer in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's liquor laws are notoriously confusing, so it's not always easy to know where to buy beer. Here's a guide to help you navigate the process:

Beer distributors are a common place to purchase beer in Pennsylvania. These distributors typically have the fewest restrictions and can sell kegs, cases, 12-packs, 6-packs, single bottles, and growlers. However, the beer purchased from distributors is for "off-premise consumption," meaning you can't drink it on-site.

Grocery and Convenience Stores, Bottle Shops, and Bars

Grocery and convenience stores, bottle shops, and bars can also sell beer, but they have more restrictions. They typically need a license to sell up to 192 fluid ounces of beer per transaction (equivalent to 12 16-ounce cans). You can make multiple transactions to purchase more, but each transaction must be separate. Beer from these establishments can be consumed on-site or taken to go.

Breweries

Licensed breweries are another option for purchasing beer in Pennsylvania. They can sell beer for on-site consumption or to-go, and they may also offer products from other Pennsylvania-licensed producers.

Home Delivery or Shipping

You can have beer delivered directly to your home or business from local breweries or use services like GoPuff or Quick Sip Delivery. Out-of-state beer shipping services, such as Tavour, can also ship up to 192 fluid ounces of beer to Pennsylvania addresses each month.

Gas Stations and Convenience Stores

In recent years, some larger gas station and convenience store chains, such as Sheetz, Royal Farms, Rutter's, Turkey Hill, and Wawa, have started selling beer at select locations due to changes in the law.

Restaurants and Pizza Shops

Some restaurants and pizza shops in Pennsylvania also sell beer, usually in six-packs or twelve-packs, but the selection may be limited, and prices can be higher.

While the laws and options for purchasing beer in Pennsylvania can be complex, knowing the different types of retailers and their restrictions will help you navigate the process more easily.

Beer distributors

Pennsylvania's alcohol laws are considered some of the strictest in the United States, and can be traced back to the Prohibition era. Gifford Pinchot, who served as governor from 1923 to 1935, was a teetotaler and maintained a tough stance on alcohol control even after Prohibition was repealed. Pinchot established the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to license establishments, set serving hours, and regulate prices.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board operates on a quota system, which currently allows one license per 3,000 county inhabitants. There are several types of liquor licenses available, including retail liquor licenses, which can sell liquor, wine, malt, and brewed beverages, and retail dispenser licenses, which can only sell brewed and malt beverages.

Some examples of beer distributors in Pennsylvania include LT Verrastro, Inc., the largest distributor in Northeastern Pennsylvania; Banko Beverage Co., one of the oldest and largest beer wholesalers in the state; and Kirchner Beverage, a wholesale distributor in Lancaster.

Buying beer online

If you're looking to buy beer online in Pennsylvania, you have a few options. Firstly, you can order from breweries, which can offer local delivery or ship to addresses within the state. However, make sure there is someone 21 or older at the delivery address to accept the package. You can also use delivery services like GoPuff or Quick Sip Delivery, or out-of-state beer shipping services such as Tavour, which can send up to 192 fluid ounces of beer per month.

When it comes to buying beer in Pennsylvania, the state's complex alcohol laws, which date back to the Prohibition era, can make things a bit tricky. The state has strict regulations and a unique system for selling and distributing alcoholic beverages.

Malt beverages like beer are widely available and can be purchased from various places, including beer distributors, bottle shops, bars, grocery stores, and breweries. These establishments may sell single bottles, six-packs, twelve-packs, and even larger quantities, depending on their license type.

Beer distributors typically have the fewest restrictions and can sell kegs, cases, and twelve-packs for "off-premise consumption." On the other hand, bottle shops, grocery stores, and convenience stores often have a license to sell up to 192 fluid ounces of beer (equivalent to 12 16-ounce cans) per transaction.

It's worth noting that Pennsylvania is an alcoholic beverage control state, and spirits are primarily sold in state-owned Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores, which do not sell beer. Beer is available from distributors or in limited quantities at supermarkets. Beverage distributors can sell beer without quantity restrictions, while supermarkets have specific limits.

The hours of operation for beer sales are typically similar to those of wine and spirits stores, with some restrictions on Sundays, where a special license is required, and sales before 9 am are prohibited. While state law permits late-night beer sales, local authorities may impose additional constraints, and stores generally close before 10 pm.

Buying beer in-store vs. drinking on-site

Pennsylvania's alcohol laws are notoriously confusing, with some of the strictest regulations in the US. The state's complex alcohol laws can be traced back to the Prohibition era and the state's former governor, Gifford Pinchot, who was a committed teetotaler. Pinchot established the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to "discourage the purchase of alcoholic beverages by making it as inconvenient and expensive as possible."

Buying Beer In-Store

Beer is probably the easiest alcoholic drink to obtain in Pennsylvania, as several places can sell it, including beer distributors, bottle shops, bars, grocery stores, and breweries. However, the amount of beer that can be sold depends on the type of license the establishment has.

Beer distributors have the fewest restrictions and can sell beer in any amount, including kegs, cases, 12-packs, 6-packs, single bottles, and growlers. However, beer purchased from a distributor must be for "off-premise consumption," meaning it cannot be consumed on the premises.

Bottle shops, grocery and convenience stores, bars, and other licensed establishments can sell up to 192 fluid ounces of beer per transaction (equivalent to 12 16-ounce cans). Beer purchased from these places can be consumed on-site or taken to go.

Licensed breweries can sell beer for on-site or off-site consumption, or products from other Pennsylvania-licensed producers for on-site consumption.

Drinking Beer On-Site

Pennsylvania's alcohol laws permit adults aged 18 or older to tend bar and serve alcohol in venues selling alcohol for drinking on-site.

Bars and licensed retailers, such as restaurants, can sell up to 192 fluid ounces of beer per purchase (typically 6-packs and 12-packs of beer, along with individual bottles). They can also sell up to 3 liters of wine per purchase. These establishments typically have serving hours from 7:00 am to 2:00 am Monday through Saturday and from 11:00 am to 2:00 am on Sundays, provided they have a Sunday Sales Permit.

Licensed breweries can sell beer for on-site consumption, as well as products from other Pennsylvania-licensed producers.

Beer and other alcohol sales laws

The alcohol laws in Pennsylvania are considered some of the strictest in the United States, with a complex history that can be traced back to the Prohibition era. While Prohibition was repealed in 1933, Gifford Pinchot, who served as governor from 1923 to 1935, was a teetotaler and maintained a tough stance on alcohol control. This led to the creation of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), which licenses establishments, sets serving hours, and regulates prices.

Where to Buy Beer in Pennsylvania:

Beer is probably the easiest alcoholic beverage to obtain in Pennsylvania, as several places are licensed to sell it. Beer distributors have the fewest restrictions and can sell kegs, cases, and 12-packs. Since 2016, they can also sell six-packs, single bottles, and growlers. However, beer purchased from distributors is for "off-premise consumption" only.

Bottle shops, grocery and convenience stores, bars, and other licensed establishments can sell up to 192 fluid ounces of beer per transaction (equivalent to 12 16-ounce cans). Licensed breweries can sell beer for on-site consumption or to-go, as well as products from other Pennsylvania-licensed producers. Additionally, beer can be shipped or delivered to your home or business from local breweries or online services.

Where to Buy Wine in Pennsylvania:

Wine is also widely available in Pennsylvania, and it is not just limited to state-run stores anymore. Many places that sell beer, such as bottle shops and grocery stores, can also sell wine if they have an expanded permit. At these locations, you can buy up to three liters of wine per transaction. Wineries licensed with the PLCB can ship up to 36 standard 9-liter cases of wine to your home for personal use. Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores, which are state-run, also offer shipping and online ordering, but someone 21 or older must accept the delivery.

Where to Buy Liquor in Pennsylvania:

The sale of liquor in Pennsylvania is strictly controlled by the state and is primarily available at state-run stores and direct from Pennsylvania distilleries. State Stores, of which there are over 600 across the state, offer shipping and pickup options. Pennsylvania distilleries can sell liquor for on-site or off-site consumption, ship to Pennsylvania addresses, or provide local delivery. Out-of-state distilleries and retailers cannot ship liquor directly to your door.

Recent Changes to Pennsylvania's Alcohol Laws:

In recent years, there have been efforts to make it easier to buy alcohol in Pennsylvania. In 2016, Governor Tom Wolf signed Acts 39 and 166, loosening restrictions on beer and wine sales and shipping and expanding store hours. These changes allowed establishments with R licenses (bars and restaurants) and hotel liquor licenses to apply for wine-to-go permits. Additionally, convenience stores attached to gas stations can now sell beer, and there are more flexible pricing options for state-run stores.

While Pennsylvania's alcohol laws have become more relaxed, they still present some challenges for consumers. For example, you still cannot purchase liquor, wine, and beer for at-home consumption in the same place.

Frequently asked questions