Wine and spirits boost for Pennsylvania beer distributors

A Pennsylvania lawmaker plans to introduce legislation that would expand wine and spirit sales to the American state’s 1,200 beer distributors.

Republican John D. Payne said his bill would not eliminate state liquor stores, but would eliminate many of the rules now restricting alcohol sales in the state.

"Lets make it convenient for the customer," Payne said. "What a novel idea that we would try to do something for the customer."

Under Payne’s proposal, distributors would pay US$10,000 a year for a licence, and wholesalers a one-time fee of US$50 million.

Beer distributors have embraced the idea and agree that Pennsylvania has too many restrictions on alcohol sales.

"If a customer comes in and buys a case of Corona, I can’t sell him the limes. When I wanted to sell newspapers in the store, had to get permission from the LCB," said George Bradley, manager of Westy’s Beer Distributors in Mechanicsburg.

"I won’t say the liquor store does a bad job as a retailer, but you look at the government intervention on the business and scratch your head," Bradley added.

Payne’s bill faces a number of hurdles, including conservatives who will try to block any expansion of alcohol sales such as House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, who has been pushing his own legislation to privatise spirit sales.

Lucy Shaw, 09.05.11