Harrisburg, PA — Starting today, thanks to bipartisan legislation signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania grocery stores, gas stations, and other retail liquor licensees and beer distributors began selling ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDC).
“Thanks to our bipartisan budget, you can now get ready-to-drink cocktails – some made right here in Pennsylvania – at places like grocery stores and beer distributors, and we did it in a way that protects taxpayers and supports our state workers,” said Governor Shapiro. “We’re going to continue to come together in a bipartisan way to get stuff done for Pennsylvanians and make this Commonwealth a great place to live and work.”
Act 86 of 2024 created a new RTDC permit, which authorizes permittees to sell pre-mixed spirits-based RTDC ranging from 0.5 percent alcohol beverage by volume (ABV) to 12.5 percent ABV in original containers up to 16 ounces for off-premises consumption (to go). The PLCB began accepting permit applications from retail liquor licensees and distributors and importing distributors of malt and brewed beverages for ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDC) permits on August 27.
“Over the last 60 days the PLCB has worked to develop these new permits, applications and regulatory processes, as well as educate suppliers and licensees – hundreds of which, like beer distributors, are new to doing business with us – about the new opportunities these to-go permits present,” said PLCB Chairman Tim Holden. “We began accepting applications just three weeks ago, and today we started issuing permits to hundreds of qualifying establishments, many of which already had stock of ready-to-drink cocktails and began selling them to-go today.”
RTDC permits are available to retail liquor licensees eligible for wine expanded permits (restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, convenience stores, etc.) and to distributors and importing distributors of malt and brewed beverages, all of which must be certified in the Responsible Alcohol Management Program.
Through Monday morning, the PLCB had received 1,556 RTDC applications. The PLCB will continue to review and approve permits as they are received.
The initial application fee for a RTDC permit is $2,500 per establishment, and the annual renewal fee is 2 percent of the cost of RTDC purchased for off-premises consumption, whether purchased from the PLCB or licensed Pennsylvania manufacturers.
Licensees interested in applying for a RTDC permit can do so through PLCB+, the PLCB’s online licensing and regulatory platform.
About the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates about 600 wine and spirits stores statewide, and licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups, and licensees. Taxes and store profits – totaling nearly $20.3 billion since the agency’s inception – are returned to Pennsylvania’s General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania’s schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives, among other important public services. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies, and local municipalities across the state. For more information about the PLCB, visit lcb.pa.gov.
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