Pennsylvania's Alcohol Laws Begin to Modernize

On Friday, Dec. 3, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court unanimously agreed that the PA Liquor Control Board followed all laws and regulations in issuing a license for on-site consumption of beer and the sale of six packs to go at all Pennsylvania Wegmans.  The eat-in cafes at Wegmans gave the supermarket the right to apply for the license, despite a legal challenge by a trade group representing local beer distributors.

I understand the concern on the part of the largely locally-owned beer distributors, but this change is long overdue.  Pennsylvania has some of the most restrictive liquor laws I've encountered in my many travels.  Our bars, distributors, and liquor stores close too early and six packs are too often sold at ridiculous prices and can only be bought two or three at a time.  The limit on how much you can carry out is especially ridiculous, since it doesn't keep you from buying more than two six packs, it just forces you to have to make several trips in and out of the bar/store.

Tom Corbett, who recently won the race for governor, hopes to privatize liquor stores, which would be freakin' awesome.  I can't stand the short hours of the nearest Pennsylvania Wine & Spirits.  Not to mention the fact that it's being closed down.  Why shouldn't I, a grown-ass man, be able to buy a bottle of rum later than 7:00?


Unfortunately, there's at least one politician who sees fighting these changes as a way to get more votes.  State Rep. Paul Clymer will try to reverse the Supreme Court's decision because he feels the State should have control over the sale of alcohol.  Who the hell put this guy in office?  On what grounds should the State be so restrictive about alcohol sales?  We already have to pay a "sin tax" on alcohol because the government decided that drinking is immoral.  I don't know on what grounds the government of a nation that so highly values the separation of church and state can decide that something is immoral yet not illegal, but it managed to do it.

Hopefully, it won't be long before I can walk to 7-11 and buy a six pack whenever I want.  And while we're at it, I think it's high time to get rid of that arrogant Puritan statue on Kelly Drive.  Stuffy bastards.