Beer Distributors Get OK From PLCB To Sell 12-Packs

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – You won't be forced to buy a case of beer if you go to the beer distributor now.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has given beer distributors the OK to sell 12-packs.

The decision was made after Beer Distributor owner Frank Pistella and the owner of Sav Mor sued the LCB in commonwealth court last year to make it happen. This is the way things used to be when distributors could only sell cases of beer containing a minimum of 128 ounces.

"I'm allowed to sell 24, 7-ounce bottles, but I am not allowed to sell a case of 12, 12-ounce bottles," said Pistella. "We sell by the case when we really fall under the ounces law."

Pistella was instrumental in getting the ball rolling. He says it's not about putting money in his pocket, it's about customer selection.

KDKA found one customer who agrees.

"I think it would be very useful, because at times when you have a party and you have a variety of beer, you don't want to buy a case of each and you would be able to buy smaller amounts," said Katherine Krenitsky, of East Berlin, Pa.

So stack them up and roll them out, now in a 12-pack. You can still buy a case of 24 though, some even prefer it.

"If that's the option you want, that's fine, but I get cases," said Jerrett Butler, of Highland Park. "I prefer cases."

State Rep. Jim Brewster says this ties in with the modernization bill.

"You've seen the paradigm shift from 80 to 90 years ago, when the state stores were developed," said Brewster. "Now we are shifting to another train of though based on new laws and new ways of thinking."

The LCB's opinion actually bars distributors from breaking up a case to sell two 12 packs separately, so you may have to wait to a few weeks until distributors get in 12 packs designed to be sold as 12 packs.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter