Not all licensees can deliver alcohol in Pennsylvania. However, a transporter-for-hire license allows a company to transport alcohol throughout Pennsylvania.
There are three types of transporter-for-hire licenses. Class A permits the licensee to transport liquor and malt or brewed beverages to customers. » Read More
In the last week, liquor law developments in Pennsylvania and New Jersey have moved in contrasting directions.
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“PLCB”) announced it will increase prices on approximately 3,554 of its products by 4% effective Jan. 15, 2023. The PLCB stated economic conditions forced this decision, which was made off the record and without a vote. » Read More
A recent ethics investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission into the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“PALCB”) has spurred changes in how the PALCB conducts limited-release lotteries.
Periodically, the PALCB conducts limited-release lotteries intending to fairly and equitably distribute rare and highly sought after spirits such as the Pappy Van Winkle Collection and the Buffalo Trace Collection. » Read More
Outdoor dining in Pennsylvania was always a novelty, but it became more common during the COVID-19 pandemic. This phenomenon highlighted a long-standing issue for restaurants that wanted to complement a customer’s experience with music.
Unfortunately, in the past, state law prohibited any sound beyond the property line. » Read More
This is an update to the Legal Liquor Blog published on January 20, 2021.
On June 23, 2021, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“PLCB”) granted permission for all retail licensees to sell CBD products on their licensed premises. At its December 15, 2021 session, the PLCB decided to amend Advisory Notice No. » Read More
Recently, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“PLCB”) amended Advisory Notice No. 9, which establishes guidelines relating to the provisions of the liquor code and PLCB regulations authorizing what a distributor or importing distributor may sell or rent. This amendment now allows for beer distributors or importing distributors to sell various cannabidiol (“CBD”) products to both the general public and other licensees of the PLCB. » Read More
On Nov. 5, 2021, Governor Tom Wolf signed into law House Bill 425, which became effective immediately. Inspired by the restaurant industry’s struggle to recover from the pandemic and related shifts in operations, the bill presents new opportunities for licensees by eliminating a major hurdle for licensing premises under a licensee’s control. » Read More
Back in 2000, Act 141 established the Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP). This began as a voluntary certification program that provided incentives for licensees to participate in and completed five training components — Owner/Manager Training, Server/Seller Training, New Employee Orientation, Signage, and Affidavit Request — for RAMP Certification. » Read More
The Pennsylvania COVID-19 emergency declaration really changed how alcohol was sold and regulated over the last 16 months. While there were significant limitations on restaurants, several benefits helped the hospitality industry pivot to other income sources. Under the original series of declarations made by Governor Wolf, licensees could not sell food or alcohol for on-premises consumption and, incrementally, occupancy was eventually permitted but remain limited. » Read More
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) became public law, establishing the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). The ARPA appropriated $28.6 billion for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide financial assistance to restaurants, bars, and other similar places of business that suffered revenue losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. » Read More
