Soon you’ll be able to head to your local grocery store to pick up pre-made margs as easily as a six-pack of beer. A bill making its way through the legislature would relax restrictions on where canned cocktails can be sold, making them more readily available for purchase.
Until now, only liquor stores operated by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board have been permitted to sell ready-to-drink cocktails. This class of beverage is defined as any premixed drink of 16 ounces or less made with distilled liquor, with an ABV of no more than 12.5 percent. The bill—which passed both chambers of the state legislature—would allow grocery stores and other businesses to apply for a permit to sell the beverages.
Canned cocktails and other ready-to-drink cocktails like High Noon and locally-made Stateside and Surfside have dramatically increased in popularity. Senator Mike Regan, author of the bill, said it would offer consumers more choice by "providing access to these products at all of the places consumers currently shop for alcoholic beverages—state stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, beer distributors and even their favorite local bar."
A press secretary has confirmed that Governor Josh Shapiro will sign the bill into law. Canned cocktails will then be available to carry out in 60 days, unfortunately not in time for the big Labor Day weekend.