Regan Ready to Drink Cocktails Bill Signed into Law

HARRISBURG - After a multi-year effort, liquor will be sold outside of the state store system with the passage of legislation championed by Sen. Mike Regan (R-31).

"This is monumental," Regan said. "For the first time in 91 years, Pennsylvania consumers will be able to buy liquor-based alcohol to go at their local grocery store, convenience store, beer distributor or restaurant."

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (LCB) dates back to the end of Prohibition in 1933. With the LCB came state-run liquor stores, the only place in the commonwealth where consumers have been allowed to purchase spirits-based alcohol for off-premises consumption.

Regan's Senate Bill 688 changes that by allowing licensed retailers to sell ready-to-drink canned cocktails (RTDs) made with spirits, such as vodka and tequila, with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 12.5% or less.

"We are putting a product on the shelves that is similar in ABV and very similar in look and concept to malt-based canned cocktails that consumers can already access at their local retailers," Regan said. "We are not putting high-alcohol-content products on the shelves of grocery and convenience stores."

As with many legislative initiatives, compromises were made to get this historic legislation across the finish line.

"This is in no way the most cost-effective or efficient way of getting RTDs on the shelves of retailers," Regan said. "That part has been left out because the unbreakable union entanglement in liquor issues has once again unnecessarily put self-interest above all else. Despite this, we have still achieved something that no one in the Legislature has done in 91 years. We are allowing consumers the ability to buy spirits-based products along with wine, beer and even their groceries."

Senate Bill 688 was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Josh Shapiro as Act 86 of 2024.

CONTACT: Bruce McLanahan, (717)-787-8524