Letter to the editor: Ready-to-drink cocktails good for Pa.

Expanding the sale of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails to additional retail outlets that already sell beverage alcohol is a commonsense way to increase consumer convenience and generate millions of dollars for the commonwealth (“Pa. Senate passes bill to legalize cocktails-to-go, sends to House with modifications”).

In fact, allowing spirits-­based RTDs to be sold at grocery stores, convenience stores and local bars could result in up to $184 million in tax revenue for Pennsylvania.

Currently, spirits-based RTDs must be sold through Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) stores despite having the same or similar alcohol by volume as their beer and wine counterparts.

The pandemic has accelerated the growth of these products as adult consumers look to recreate the cocktail experience at home with convenient, canned cocktails. But in Pennsylvania, there is less than one spirits store per 10,000 people — well below the national average of 3.4 outlets per 10,000 people — making it much more difficult for consumers to enjoy spirits-based RTDs.

States are taking a closer look at this issue to provide consumers with the same equal access to wine-, malt-/beer- and spirits-based RTD products.

Expanding the distribution channels of spirits-­based RTDs will benefit adult consumers, local businesses, the state, and suppliers of beer, wine and spirits. We urge the Legislature to pass House Bill 1154 and Gov. Tom Wolf to sign it.

David Wojnar

Washington, D.C.

The writer is senior vice president and head of state government relations for the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.