Pennsylvania borderbleed

[dcbt]

I see a lot of posts from people in control states venturing to neighboring states to buy their bourbon. Apparently there was a bill up in PA to go private but it got vetoed:

http://www.distillerytrail.com/blog/pennsylvania-governor-vetoes-bill-to-take-liquor-stores-private/

[pooch]

I live in SE PA and buy the majority of my stuff in DE. That bill getting vetoed was disappointing but not surprising. This state sucks for alcohol.

[ethangsmith]

Unless you live or have lived in PA, it's tough to describe how abysmal the state store system is. Imagine the sterile, generic environment of WalMart. Now take away 90% of the selection and make the prices twice the price of KMart. Then throw in a law where you HAVE to buy everything from WalMart. There. That's the state store system. I'll stay out of politics, but I will say there is immense pressure on the Democrats to shut up and privatize.

[gotzero]

I actually had to do the opposite in order to get a Woodford Rye. While the PA system is incredibly restrictive and I feel for all of you, occasionally for things with feverish demand sometimes first-click first-served can work in your favor.

[GrPeMi]

I'll stay out of politics, but I will say there is immense pressure on the Democrats to shut up and privatize.

You might not get what you want from privatization...in WA after privatization, the shelf prices didn't change at all (or went up slightly) and there was a 20.5% tax + $2.83 per 750 bottle added. At least OR state run stores have a pretty good variety and can find most of the less common and limited releases in at least a few stores in town.

[pooch]

I actually had to do the opposite in order to get a Woodford Rye. While the PA system is incredibly restrictive and I feel for all of you, occasionally for things with feverish demand sometimes first-click first-served can work in your favor.

I've scored some nice bottles that way but you have to be sitting in front of your computer and react within 3 minutes.

[altadoc]

privatization isn't all its cracked up to be. washington is just one abysmal example.

pa is getting much better. the prices on many things are better than neighboring states. plus there has been much more involvement from the bourbon community which has helped bring in more four roses, willett, etc.

the biggest change that would be helpful would be to allow out of state shipments. you don't have to privatize to do that. many state run liquor systems also allow out of state shipping.

[SBOmarc]

When I was living in PA I was very close to the NJ border. Being the pot stirrer that I am and having a mid-week day off, I planned a trip to NJ to Joe Canals. Prior to doing so I called my local State Police barracks and identified myself, my car model, license plate and informed them that I was going to break the law. I told them approximate times of my crossing with illegal contraband. I spent a nice sum at the liquor store(s), filled my gas tank and stopped for a nice lunch. The border bleed is not just the sales lost to alcohol. I was not apprehended. The Trooper that answered my call did ask if I would pick him up a bottle of Scotch. I told him that I wouldn't be caught dead buying Scotch. lol...

The PA State stores are abysmal. Selection, Service, Price and locations. After living in Virginia, California, NJ and now Nevada, I can't ever understand the State's perversion to leaping into this century. And Please, don't get me started on the Unions and the Flood tax that is a yoke around PA's system.