Pennsylvania Beer: Where To Buy And Shop Locations

Pennsylvania has some of the most restrictive alcohol laws in the United States, which can be traced back to the Prohibition era and the stance of Gifford Pinchot, governor from 1923 to 1935, who wanted to discourage the purchase of alcoholic beverages by making it as inconvenient and expensive as possible. So, where can you buy beer in the state?

Beer distributors

Pennsylvania's liquor laws have been described as "frustrating and restrictive", with the state's complex alcohol laws being traced back to the Prohibition era. Beer distributors are one of the few places where you can buy beer in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania's liquor laws allow beer distributors to sell beer in any amount, while supermarkets and other retailers have quantity restrictions. Distributors can sell beer for off-premise consumption only, meaning you can't drink your purchases on-site. Distributors are subject to state-mandated hours of operation, with sales before 9 am on Sundays prohibited. Local authorities can also place additional restrictions on operating hours, and stores typically close before 10 pm.

Examples of beer distributors in Pennsylvania:

• Banko Beverage Co.: One of the oldest and largest beer wholesalers in Pennsylvania, distributing drinks in the Greater Lehigh Valley area since 1933.
• Kirchner Beverage: Operating since 1933, this distributor delivers beer to eight counties in Pennsylvania, including Lancaster.
• LT Verrastro, Inc.: The largest distributor in Northeastern Pennsylvania, serving eight counties in the Greater Pocono Northeast region.

Changes to Pennsylvania's liquor laws:

In recent years, Pennsylvania's liquor laws have loosened slightly. In 2016, Governor Tom Wolf signed Acts 39 and 166, relaxing restrictions on beer and wine sales and allowing for expanded store hours. Despite these changes, Pennsylvania's alcohol laws remain complex and unique compared to other states.

Bottle shops

Pennsylvania's liquor laws are notoriously confusing, and this is largely due to the state's history of strict alcohol control. The state's former governor, Gifford Pinchot, was a teetotaler who, in 1933, established the liquor code and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) to "discourage the purchase of alcoholic beverages by making it as inconvenient and expensive as possible".

The PLCB issues licenses and controls the sale of alcohol. One peculiarity of the state's liquor laws is that "bottle shop" is not a licensing or regulatory term. Nevertheless, bottle shops have become a popular place for Pennsylvanians to buy beer.

• 320 Market Café in Swarthmore, PA, which has a selection of 650 craft beers.
• The Beer Store, with locations in Southampton, Malvern, and the Northeast, offering more than 3,000 beers across the three stores.
• East Falls Beverage, a no-frills shop in Philadelphia with a closely managed selection of sought-after beers.
• Capone's Restaurant, Bar and Bottle Shop in Norristown, which has something for everyone, including rare releases and an aged-beer program.
• Pinocchio's Beer Garden To Go in Media, which stocks more than 1,000 beers and features 25 taps with draft-only releases and rare pours.
• The Richmond Bottle Shop in Philadelphia, which offers 800 beers, eight taps, and 300 wines.

Bars

Pennsylvania has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States, which can make it difficult to know where to buy beer. 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 teetotaler. As a result, Pennsylvania has a government monopoly on the sale of distilled spirits (liquor), and beer can only be purchased from a limited number of places, including bars and restaurants.

While the laws around alcohol sales in Pennsylvania can be complex and restrictive, there are some loopholes and exceptions. For example, gas stations with a specific license can sell up to two 6-packs of beer per transaction, and grocery stores can sell beer under the same restrictions as gas stations, with some differences in hours of operation. However, both gas stations and grocery stores are limited to selling beer in 12 oz cans or bottles, and the maximum amount of beer that can be sold per purchase is 192 fluid ounces.

Pennsylvania's alcohol laws also allow for licensed retailers, such as bars and restaurants, to sell beer in larger quantities, such as cases, 12-packs, or singles. These retailers can also sell kegs and fill growlers. However, it is important to note that these sales are still restricted to on-premise consumption only.

In summary, while the alcohol laws in Pennsylvania can be confusing and restrictive, there are several options for purchasing beer, including bars and restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores. It is important to be mindful of the quantity restrictions and the requirement for a Sunday sales permit for sales on Sundays.

Grocery stores

Pennsylvania's liquor laws are notoriously complex and restrictive, and this extends to the sale of beer. Beer can be purchased from a variety of retailers, including grocery stores, but there are certain restrictions in place.

It's worth noting that grocery stores with annexed liquor sections may also have growler dispensaries at relatively affordable prices. Additionally, some larger gas station convenience stores, such as Sheetz and Wawa, have started selling beer due to a loophole in the law.

The unique liquor laws in Pennsylvania can be traced back to the Prohibition era and the stance of Gifford Pinchot, the governor from 1923 to 1935, who wanted to "discourage the purchase of alcoholic beverages". As a result, Pennsylvania has strict regulations and a complex licensing system for alcohol sales, which can make it challenging for residents and visitors to navigate the purchase of beer and other alcoholic beverages.

Breweries

Pennsylvania has some of the strictest alcohol regulations in the United States, which can make buying beer in the state a little confusing. The state's liquor laws can be traced back to the Prohibition era and Governor Gifford Pinchot, who was a teetotaler.

Licensed breweries in Pennsylvania can sell beer to drink on-site or to go, or products from other Pennsylvania-licensed producers to drink there. Breweries and taprooms in Pennsylvania are open Monday to 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 Sundays, but not for on-premise consumption. Pennsylvania breweries and taprooms can sell beer on tap and can also sell beer for off-premise consumption, including 6- or 12-packs, and packaged growlers.

Other Places to Buy Beer

In addition to breweries, there are several other places to buy beer in Pennsylvania, including licensed beer distributors, bars, restaurants, and grocery stores. Beer distributors are the main retail location type for beer sales in the state and can sell any amount of beer, including cans, bottles, cases, 12- or 6-packs, singles, and kegs. They can also sell growlers. Bars and restaurants can sell beer for on-premise consumption only, and are open from 7 am to 2 am Monday to Saturday and from 9 am to 2 am on Sundays with a permit. Grocery stores have similar hours to bars and restaurants but are subject to different quantity restrictions, with a maximum of 192 fluid ounces of beer per purchase.

Delivery Options

Beer delivery is also an option in Pennsylvania, with services like GoPuff offering delivery from breweries and restaurants. These locations may sell and deliver beer between 8 am and 11 pm Monday to Saturday and on Sundays with a Sunday Sales Permit. Curbside pickup is also available.

Frequently asked questions