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A new law in Pennsylvania now allows the sale of ready-to-drink canned cocktails outside of state-owned liquor stores. The law, signed by Governor Josh Shapiro in July, went into effect on Monday, September 16, 2024. This change allows businesses such as bars, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and other liquor licensees to sell canned cocktails to-go.
Under the new law, businesses must apply for a special permit to sell these canned cocktails. The application fee for the permit is $2,500, with an annual renewal fee of 2% of the cost of ready-to-drink cocktails bought by the business every year. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) began accepting applications for these permits on August 27, 2024.
The PLCB expects the sale of canned cocktails to bring in about $35 million a year in state revenue by the fiscal year of 2028-2029, according to legislative analysts.