Pennsylvanians looking to sit down and enjoy a beer, cocktail or glass of wine in 2019 have many more options than they did in the past. After decades of Pennsylvania’s restrictive liquor laws limiting innovation, in 2016, broad changes to the Liquor Code were enacted under legislation known as Act 39 and Act 85 of 2016. These changes, together with some crafty lawyering and business planning, have opened up new alternatives to the way alcoholic drinks are consumed in this commonwealth. In addition to the traditional drinks market found in restaurants and bars, Pennsylvanians can now grab a drink at the grocery store, in a beer garden, at a farmer’s market, at a distillery tasting room or a seasonal pop-up, to name a few, and this is just the beginning.

  • Breweries, distilleries and wineries can stock full bars.

Before Act 39, the drinks breweries could sell in their tasting rooms were limited to only their own beer by the glass, bottle or can for consumption on the premises. Similarly, distilleries could sell only their own liquor by the glass. With the passage of Act 39, breweries, distilleries and wineries may now stock full bars under their manufacturing licenses. Act 39 allows all manufacturers to serve wine from any Pennsylvania winery, beer and cider from Pennsylvania breweries, and liquor from Pennsylvania distilleries, see 47 P.S. Section 446(a)(2), 47 P.S. Section 5-505.4(c)(1), 47 P.S. Section 5-505.2(a)(6.1). Breweries may sell beer from other Pennsylvania breweries, and distilleries may sell liquor from other Pennsylvania distilleries in addition to their own. These changes transform breweries and distilleries from niche destinations for fans of particular brands to exciting alternatives to the typical bar and restaurant model.

  • Breweries, distilleries and wineries are not subject to county quotas.