RTD Bill Tabled in Pennsylvania

From The Brewers Association:

Tabled prior to third consideration in the Senate, S. B. 688 provides a definition of ready-to-drink cocktail to mean a beverage, composed in part of spirits, combined with other nonalcoholic ingredients, carbonated or still, by whatever name such beverage may be called, premixed and packaged in original containers, containing not more than sixteen ounces, provided that it is not mixed or adulterated on the licensed premises of a licensee. It shall mean any beverage consisting of at least one-half of one per centum, but not greater than twelve and one-half per centum, alcohol by volume. It shall not mean any beverage composed, in part, of wine or malt or brewed beverages. It shall be treated like liquor unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The bill would allow distribution through both the state system and the traditional three-tier and would impose a tax at the rate of 18% of the net price of ready-to-drink cocktails sold for off-premises consumption.

• Senate Bill 688

WRITTEN BY Pete Johnson

Pete Johnson serves as the State & Regulatory Affairs Manager for the Brewers Association (BA). He joined the BA at its inception in 2005, having previously worked as Programs Director for the Brewers Association of America. Before coming to the small brewing industry in 2001, Pete worked for 14 years with both state and federal elected officials in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.