Buying Beer In Pennsylvania: Understanding The Hour Restrictions

Pennsylvania has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States, which can be traced back to the Prohibition era and the influence of Gifford Pinchot, a dry governor who served from 1923 to 1935. The state's complex regulations control where and when alcohol can be purchased, with varying rules for beer, wine, and liquor. So, what are the specific hours during which one can buy beer in Pennsylvania?

Beer can be purchased on Sundays

Bars and restaurants can sell beer on Sundays between 9 am and 2 am the following morning, provided they have a Sunday Sales Permit. Beer distributors and breweries can also sell beer on Sundays, but only from 9 am to 9 pm, and they too require a Sunday Sales Permit. Retailers with eating places or cafes may sell beer on Sundays from 11 am to 2 am the following morning.

It is important to note that specific locations with the required licenses may open later on Sundays but are not permitted to open earlier. Additionally, there is no limit to the amount of alcohol that can be purchased per transaction at Pennsylvania beer distributors.

Pennsylvania has some of the strictest alcohol regulations in the United States, which can be traced back to the Prohibition era and the stance of Gifford Pinchot, who served as governor from 1923 to 1935. Even after Prohibition was repealed during his second term, Pinchot maintained his tough stance on alcohol control. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board was created to license establishments, set serving hours, and regulate prices.

While Pennsylvania does not have any dry counties, there are still municipalities that are at least partially dry. These dry or moist municipalities are often small communities in rural areas.

Licensed retail locations, including bars and restaurants, can sell beer

Pennsylvania's alcohol laws are considered some of the most restrictive in the United States. These laws can be traced back to the Prohibition era and the state's former governor, Gifford Pinchot, who was a teetotaler. Pinchot established the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to license establishments, set serving hours, and regulate prices.

Bars and restaurants with the necessary licenses may open later on Sundays but are not permitted to open earlier. They are only allowed to sell beer for on-premise consumption and do not provide any type of takeaway service. They can sell beer on tap, as well as single bottles or cans.

The amount of beer that can be sold per transaction is also regulated. Retail locations with the appropriate license can sell up to 192 fluid ounces of beer (equivalent to 12 16-ounce cans) per transaction. If a customer wishes to purchase more, they must make a separate transaction.

It is important to note that Pennsylvania's alcohol laws have recently become more relaxed. In 2016, Governor Tom Wolf signed Acts 39 and 166 into law, loosening restrictions on beer and wine sales and shipping and expanding the hours of state-owned liquor stores.

The main place to buy beer is a licensed beer distributor

The main place to buy beer in Pennsylvania is a licensed beer distributor. These distributors are the main retail location type for beer sales in the state and can sell beer Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 11 pm. On Sundays, they can sell beer from 9 am to 9 pm with a Sunday Sales Permit.

There is no limit to the amount of alcohol you can purchase per transaction at Pennsylvania beer distributors. They can sell cans or bottles in cases, 12- or 6-packs, or as singles, as well as singular 19-25oz. cans. They can also sell kegs and fill growlers. Beer distributors have the fewest restrictions compared to other retailers.

Other locations to buy beer include bars and restaurants, breweries and taprooms, grocery stores, and gas stations. Each of these locations requires a specific license to sell beer, and each requires a Sunday Sales permit to sell beer on Sundays.

Grocery stores in Pennsylvania are allowed to sell beer under the same restrictions as gas stations, with some hour-of-operation differences. Grocery stores can sell beer Monday through Saturday between 7 am and 2 am through an interior connection to the grocery store. On Sundays, they can sell beer from 9 am to 2 am with a Sunday Sales Permit. Most grocery stores, however, are not open until 2 am.

Grocery stores have a 192 fl. oz. maximum on beer sales. These stores sell cans and bottles of beer, and anything over the 192 fl. oz. limit requires an additional transaction. Some grocery stores have a designated checkout counter in a separate area where you buy your alcohol, while others have a few dedicated checkout lanes where you can buy alcohol along with the rest of your groceries.

Bars and restaurants in Pennsylvania can sell beer from 7 am to 2 am Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, these locations can sell beer between 9 am and 2 am Monday morning if they possess a Sunday sales permit. These locations are only allowed to sell beer for on-premise consumption and don't provide any type of to-go sales. Bars and restaurants can sell beer on draft as well as single bottles or cans.

Breweries and taprooms in Pennsylvania are open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to midnight and on Sundays from 9 am to 9 pm for on-premise consumption. A Sunday Sales Permit is required for off-premise beer sales on Sunday, but not for on-premise. Pennsylvania breweries and taprooms can sell beer on tap and can also sell beer for off-premise consumption, including 6- or 12-packs, 15-pack varieties, or packaged growlers.

Gas stations in Pennsylvania can sell beer from Monday at 2 am until midnight Saturday. They are permitted to sell beer with a specific license that allows up to two 6-packs per transaction. Gas stations can sell beer in 12 oz cans or bottles in 6- or 12-packs. They can also sell beer in 19 or 25oz cans, depending on the ABV.

There are no dry counties in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States. These laws can be traced back to the Prohibition era and the stance of Gifford Pinchot, who served as governor from 1923 to 1935. Pinchot maintained his tough stance on alcohol control even after Prohibition was repealed in 1933. He believed that the best way to prevent corruption in the alcohol industry was through state control. As a result, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board was created to license establishments, set serving hours, and regulate prices.

Despite its strict alcohol laws, Pennsylvania is not a dry state, and there are no dry counties in the state. However, as of February 2022, there are 675 to 683 municipalities in Pennsylvania that are at least partially dry. These dry municipalities are typically small communities in rural areas.

The complex alcohol laws in Pennsylvania make it difficult to understand where to purchase beer, wine, or liquor. Beer, for example, can be purchased from licensed beer distributors, bars, restaurants, breweries, taprooms, grocery stores, and gas stations, but the hours and quantities permitted for sales vary by location type. Beer distributors have the fewest restrictions, while other locations may require specific licenses to sell beer and may have limits on the amount of beer that can be purchased per transaction.

Pennsylvania's liquor laws have recently loosened, making buying alcohol slightly more convenient. For instance, in 2016, Governor Tom Wolf signed Acts 39 and 166 into law, which loosened restrictions on beer and wine sales and shipping and allowed for expanded store hours. However, Pennsylvania's alcohol laws still have many peculiarities not found in other states, and purchasing alcohol in the state can be confusing for residents and visitors alike.

Beer can be delivered in Pennsylvania

Firstly, beer can only be delivered between 8 am and 11 pm, Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays, a Sunday Sales Permit is required. Breweries and restaurants can offer in-house delivery, or they can partner with third-party delivery services like GoPuff or Quick Sip Delivery. However, Drizly.com, a popular alcohol delivery service, is currently unavailable in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania has some of the strictest alcohol regulations in the United States, and these laws can be traced back to the Prohibition era and Governor Gifford Pinchot, who was a teetotaler. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board was created to license establishments, set serving hours, and regulate prices.

There are several types of liquor licenses available in the state, including retail liquor licenses, which allow for the on-premises sale and consumption of liquor, wine, malt, and brewed beverages, and retail dispenser licenses, which are limited to the sale of brewed and malt beverages only.

The minimum drinking age in Pennsylvania is 21, and anyone selling alcohol is required to check the ID of anyone they presume to be under the age of 35.

Frequently asked questions