Ready to go drink options line the shelves at Weis Markets in Hummelstown.
Supermarkets in Pennsylvania are legally allowed to sell ready-to-drink cocktails after Act 86 of 2024 was signed into law on July 17 of this year.
The law took effect Monday.
Act 86 has revised the liquor code to include the sale of ready-to-drink cocktails. These are defined as pre-mixed beverages consisting of distilled spirits and nonalcoholic ingredients, contained in packages not exceeding 16 ounces.
The modification permits around 12,000 establishments, including restaurants, bars, beer distributors, grocery stores, and convenience stores, all of which currently hold an alcohol sales license, to apply for a permit to sell these canned beverages.
Prior to this change, only state-run wine and liquor stores had the authority to sell these pre-mixed drinks.
The legislation imposes a sales cut-off at 11 p.m. and limits the sale to drinks with an alcohol content of no more than 12 percent.
Ready-to-drink canned cocktails have recently gained popularity. Legislative analysts foresee this trend will generate approximately $35 million annually in state revenues by fiscal year 2028-2029.
Local supermarkets such as Weis and GIANT will offer these cocktails for sale.
“The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) has given the green light to all our regional cafes to start selling these ready-to-drink cocktails, which we are distributing to our stores,” stated Dennis Curtin, the director of public relations at Weis. “Sales will commence on Wednesday.”
“The completion of this introduction will occur by Thursday. Our cafes will have 37 of the top-selling drinks available.”
Ready-to-drink cocktails are now available at 92 Weis Markets beer-wine cafés in Pennsylvania. Shoppers can select from 37 top-selling canned cocktails, including products from Philadelphia-based brands like Stateside and Surfside.
“By adding ready-to-drink cocktails to our Pennsylvania beer-wine cafés, we aim to enhance the shopping experience by providing both convenience and a wide selection,” said Bob Gleeson, Weis Markets senior vice president of merchandising and marketing. “Customers can now enjoy a variety of premium, pre-mixed cocktails all under one roof, eliminating the need for an additional stop.”
Rebecca Lupfer, senior vice president and chief merchant at GIANT Company, noted that their stores have been popular destinations for beer and wine since 2011 and 2016, respectively.
“Our customers appreciate the convenience of purchasing ready-to-drink cocktails while they do their grocery shopping,” Lupfer mentioned. “We are thrilled to increase our product variety by introducing canned cocktails in 138 locations throughout Pennsylvania.”
Giant, in a press release, announced its strict age verification policy stating, “enforces a 100 percent proof-of-age policy. Accordingly, all store cashiers are required to ask for valid identification—a valid driver’s license, passport, or military identification card—from any customer looking to buy alcohol, no matter their age.
Similar to transactions involving beer and wine, GIANT customers must complete their cocktail purchases at a register designated for beer and wine sales. In one transaction, customers are allowed to buy up to 192 ounces of ready-to-drink cocktails, 192 ounces of malt or brewed beverages, or three liters of wine.”
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