Pennsylvania's Six-Pack Beer Buying Options

Pennsylvania's alcohol laws are some of the strictest in the US, with a complex history that can be traced back to the Prohibition era. The state's Liquor Control Board regulates the sale of alcohol, including beer, and has introduced various reforms over the years to modernise the system. In recent years, Governor Tom Wolf has signed legislation to make buying drinks in Pennsylvania easier, including allowing beer distributors to sell beer in any volume, including six-packs and growlers. This has also enabled gas stations, restaurants, and select grocery stores to sell six-packs, and for breweries without pub licenses to sell products from other breweries. Additionally, some convenience store chains, such as Sheetz and Wawa, have been approved to sell beer and wine at select locations.

Beer distributors

Pennsylvania's alcohol laws are considered some of the strictest in the United States, with a complex history that can be traced back to the Prohibition era.

In the past, Pennsylvania's beer distributors had a required minimum sale quantity, often requiring customers to purchase 24-packs and kegs. However, recent legislation changes have allowed distributors to sell beer in any volume, including six-packs. This change in law has made buying drinks in Pennsylvania much more convenient, as consumers no longer need to buy large quantities of beer in one go.

An example of a beer distributor in Pennsylvania is Pennypack Beer Distributor, located in Northeast Philadelphia.

In addition to beer distributors, there are other licensed establishments that sell alcohol in Pennsylvania. These include restaurants, bars, and licensed retailers, which can sell small quantities of beer and wine, such as six and twelve packs of beer, along with individual bottles. Supermarkets and convenience stores have also started to sell alcohol, either within attached restaurants or at select locations, but they are subject to quantity restrictions.

Gas stations

Previously, Pennsylvania's liquor laws were considered some of the strictest in the United States, with a reputation for being "backward." The state's complex alcohol regulations can be traced back to the Prohibition era and Governor Gifford Pinchot, who maintained a tough stance on alcohol control even after Prohibition was repealed.

Under the updated laws, gas stations in Pennsylvania are now able to sell beer in any volume, including six-packs. This change in legislation has been welcomed by consumers, who no longer have to purchase large quantities, such as 24-packs and kegs, when buying beer from distributors.

It is worth noting that while gas stations can sell six-packs, they are subject to the same restrictions as other retailers in terms of operating hours. Beer sales are prohibited before 9 am on Sundays, and local authorities can place additional restrictions on closing times, typically before 10 pm. Additionally, gas stations that sell alcohol must adhere to the state's liquor laws and ensure that they only sell to customers over the legal drinking age, which is 21 years old in Pennsylvania.

Grocery stores

In 2016, Governor Tom Wolf signed Act 39 into law, allowing for wine sales at supermarkets. This legislation also permitted the sale of beer and wine in restaurants attached to supermarkets, but only under specific conditions. These conditions include the restaurant having a defined separation from the rest of the supermarket, a separate cashier, and seating for at least 30 patrons.

Many supermarkets across Pennsylvania have started to sell alcohol within these attached restaurants, including major chains such as Acme, Giant/Martin's, Giant Eagle, Price Chopper/Market 32, Redner's, ShopRite, Wegmans, Weis, and Whole Foods.

Prior to Act 39, Wolf had also pushed for the Liquor Control Board to approve licenses for Pennsylvania gas stations to sell six-packs, with Sheetz being one of the first to take advantage of this.

Restaurants

Pennsylvania's alcohol laws can be confusing, especially for those visiting the state. The state's Prohibition-era rules mean that customers can only buy up to 192 ounces of takeout beer at a time from taverns, restaurants, and bottle shops. This typically limits purchases to two six-packs or a 12-pack.

If you're looking to buy a six-pack of beer from a restaurant in PA, you're in luck! Many restaurants across the state sell six-packs to go. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Location, Location, Location

The specific regulations regarding beer sales vary by location in PA. For example, in Willow Grove, six-packs are limited to bars, and some bars may have a better selection than others. It's always a good idea to call ahead and check with the restaurant to see if they sell six-packs and what their selection is like.

Restaurant Options

Some restaurant options that sell six-packs include grills, pubs, and pizza shops. Iron Abbey in Horsham, for instance, offers a wide variety of beers and sells six-packs to go. Additionally, some grocery stores, like Wegman's, also sell beer by the six-pack.

Pennsylvania's Unique Alcohol Laws

It's important to note that you won't be able to walk into a convenience store or a grocery store and pick up a six-pack, as you might in other states. Pennsylvania has unique alcohol laws that restrict the sale of beer and wine to specific types of establishments. For instance, if you want to buy a case of beer, you'll need to visit a beer distributor or a liquor store run by the state.

The Two Six-Pack Rule

One of the most peculiar restrictions in Pennsylvania is the "two six-pack rule," which limits customers to purchasing only two six-packs or 192 ounces of takeout beer at a time from restaurants and bottle shops. This rule can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you're looking to stock up on beer for a larger gathering. However, you can always go back into the restaurant or shop and purchase more after taking your initial purchase to your car.

Buying Beer in the Poconos

If you're specifically looking to buy beer in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania, you have several options. You can purchase cases of beer from "party stores" or "package goods stores," which typically sell cases of beer, soda, ice, and snacks. For six-packs, you'll want to visit a bar, grill, pub, or restaurant that sells beer to go. Not all restaurants and bars offer this option, so it's worth calling ahead to check. Additionally, some liquor stores in the area may also sell six-packs.

So, if you're looking to buy a six-pack of beer in Pennsylvania, your best bet is to head to a local restaurant, grill, pub, or pizza shop, where you'll likely find what you're looking for. Cheers!

Bars

Pennsylvania's alcohol laws are notoriously complex, and this is especially true when it comes to buying beer. The state's liquor laws date back to the Prohibition era and Governor Gifford Pinchot, who was a teetotaler and wanted to make buying alcohol "as inconvenient and expensive as possible".

If you're looking to buy a six-pack of beer from a bar in Pennsylvania, here's what you need to know:

When purchasing beer from a bar, you can buy up to 192 fluid ounces of beer per transaction, which is equivalent to 12 16-ounce cans or three 64-ounce growlers. If you want to buy more, you'll have to make another transaction.

It's worth noting that bars in Pennsylvania can serve alcohol from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Sundays, provided they have a Sunday Sales Permit.

Some popular bars in Pennsylvania include Iron Abbey in Horsham, which offers a wide variety of beers for takeout, and Wegman's grocery store in Warrington, which also sells beer by the six-pack.

Frequently asked questions