The Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 688 today, which would allow low alcohol-by-volume (ABV) spirits ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs) to be sold from certain retail outlets that already sell beer and wine.

The bill now heads to the House for consideration, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), a distilled spirits advocacy outfit.

A DISCUS survey shows consumers’ support for greater access to these products, including in grocery and convenience stores, with 86 percent agreeing that spirits RTDs should be sold where beer and wine are available for purchase.

“This is a great first step in providing increased consumer convenience in Pennsylvania,” said Andy Deloney, senior vice president of state government relations at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. “This bill will create additional retail opportunities for consumers looking to purchase popular spirits ready-to-drink cocktails where they already get beer and wine products. We applaud Senator Regan for his leadership on this issue, and look forward to working with members in the House and other key stakeholders to move this business- and consumer-friendly measure forward.”

Despite having the exact same alcohol content as beer- and wine-based RTDs, spirits RTDs are far less available in Pennsylvania, DISCUS said.

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Photo: specsonline.com