Pa state stores now and the old days

[mozilla]

Well, trying to get a real sellection of bourbon in a state like Pa. is like banging your head against a wall.

Maybe it is time for a class action lawsuit against the state. Curtailing freedom of choice in a free market system, sounds like some anti-trust laws should be able to be applied. Could some of the lawyers on the board suggest some avenues? I will be the first to admit that the law is not my strong suit. Maybe just the threat of a lawsuit could jar the door back open.

Just doesn't seem right that they(big brother) won't give you a choice....and then makes you a criminal to exercise your right to choose, by going to another state.

[BourbonJoe]

Past Governor Thornberg tried to abolish the PALCB with no luck. The PALCB's union proved to be more powerful than he on this matter. So much for the "good" that unions provide to the public.

Joe :usflag:

[dave ziegler]

How right you are Joe Then Gov Thornberg did his best to get us into the next century with Spirits but Fast Eddie just wants to put Wine down us. It is sickening when you walk in and all you see except one little Corner is Wine. Fast Eddie must have some french in Him, or he is maybe a Wino! I think back in old days you had so many Bourbons, Blended's, and Scotchs. Now you take the best you can find out of little or none.

Dave Z

Old Hickory America's Most Magnificent Bourbon

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[Jaysus]

the Old Forester is one great pour hope you got a couple of Bottles as it went down to $16.49 on close out!

Dave Z

I picked up the last two bottles at the shop near my office on Friday.

[dave ziegler]

What the Bourbon Drinkers Of Pa should do is get bus loads of People demanding more Bourbon Less Wine! This State makes you feel like you are not of any importance if you drink Whiskey. Glad you got the last of the Old Forester I also went and got the last Bottle around here.

Dave Z

Old Hickory America's Most Magnificent Bourbon

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[ThomasH]

If you want any bourbon that is a SLO, call the toll free number on the PALCB website and when you order the item, you can designate which store you want to pick it up at. I have picked up all ordered items at a store that is not a superstore. When they have to deal with the actual person buying the product, they tend to be much more attentive to details!

Thomas

[mozilla]

Talked with a very helpful fellow at the PLCB, today. He would like to hear from everyone who is interested in bourbon and rye.

First, figure out which brand y'all are interested in him obtaining. And don't say any 80 proofers. WT rye and OO rye are coming soon, so don't suggest them either. Whatever you choose, it sounds like y'all better put your money where your mouth is.....or they will end up getting rid of it as well.

I suggested to him some Bib's from Barton and HH, since they are easy to acquire in most states. If y'all have a brand in mind and a few comments on your overall purchasing list...maybe they can tailor their list a bit. Make sure you tell them what proof and price you like your bottles to be...also what size and whether you prefer glass bottles to plastic. I don't think they have a real clue as to what real bourbon drinkers want.

Their email is RA-LBconsumer@state.pa.us

Please address your concerns to the SPIRITS BUYER.

[callmeox]

I read an article elsewhere about the PLCB and their current marketing strategy. They are in the process of killing off the less popular brands in order to bring in "new and exciting products". The article mentioned Old Forester being dropped and they compared the sales levels of OF to JBW to justify the move. If I remember correctly, they sold something like 225,000 handles of JBW last year versus a much smaller number of OF, so to them the OF wasn't worth keeping.

If it's all about volume in PA, I'm afraid that folks will be fighting an uphill battle.

[mozilla]

The guy mentioned in that article was the person I spoke with.

If the boys in Pa can come together and agree on some Bottled in Bond, non premium product....I think that they are open to listing it. They seem to understand the budgetary concerns of their patrons.

I think that if y'all send in some emails...it would at least give them some feed back. Especially if you are not a fan of Jack and Jim, which is what they think everyone likes. What they don't factor in is....that people are just going elsewhere to get these labels, now.

We'll see what happens....I sent my email to them already. Good luck, Men of Pennsylvania!

[callmeox]

I didn't mean to be a downer with my post as your information is encouraging for the PA bourbon drinker. I'm close enough here in NE Ohio that I can head over to Erie or the Pittsburgh area to take advantage of any new brands that they stock, so I'm all for the increased availability.

Now if they would just start stocking the western end of the state the same as the eastern end, I'll be set. :cool:

Thanks for the good news.

[mozilla]

Has anyone sent the gov. your prefs? I have not heard if any changes are afoot. How are things going on this concern?

[AVB]

Pennsylvania doesn't even want the people to know they are state controlled. No mention of State Store, PLCB, or anything to show who runs the place on the outside. Instead you get Wine & Spirits Shoppe. God I hate that word Shoppe. How stupid do they think we are.

Going back a few years it said State Store right on the front.

Has anyone sent the gov. your prefs? I have not heard if any changes are afoot. How are things going on this concern?

[mozilla]

I wanted to make sure I gave a good link for y'all to find the Liquor Buyer that makes alot of the deals....so here it is.

Send this person your suggestions and pref's for bourbon and rye. Good luck!

[mozilla]

Any news on new additions to the bourbon list? Are any of the other stores carrying WT rye?

[BourbonJoe]

Jeff,

There are no new additions, only deletions. :hot:

Joe :usflag:

[mozilla]

The man incharge of the operations told me that WT rye and Old Overholt were both going to be added.

Has anyone made contact with the liquor buyer? I was told that they were interested in our opinions of what was being stocked. It doesn't make sense to get mad here....if we don't get mad and tell them how we feel. Do the Pa folks not believe that they(PALCB) are sincere in their request for info, from us? Not being from Pa...I am a little disassociated with what goes on there on a day to day basis.

If nothing else....I would guess that a class action lawsuit could topple the pyramid. Seems that they are seriously curtailing your freedom of choice in a free market system.

[F399SF]

Thank the lord I fell in love with bourbon AFTER I moved out of Pittsburgh. My heart goes out to you guys. I thought the Virginia ABC was bad.

Whiskey Rebellion Redux time!

[fricky]

Hi Jeff,

I don't get mad here about the PALCB stae stores. I accept the fact that they are a monopoly and will stock whatever they want. I do not trust them. I simply buy what I want online or when I travel to Kentucky.

After tasting Wild Turkey Rye a few years ago in Nashville, Tenn., I contacted them multiple times and asked them to stock that product. I was told that they could not. A year or 2 later, it was available. Then they no longer had it. Now, their catalog indicates that Wild Turkey Rye is available, if 6 bottles are ordered. The same is true for Russell's Reserve Rye.

The minimum is reported to be a stipulation imposed by the vendor and is required to have the product shipped to a specific state store.

The following items are available, if a minimum of 6 bottles is ordered: Baker's, Ezra Brooks, RI 1 Rye, Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit. Twelve bottles are required for the following: Elijah Craig, Evan Williams 1783, Evan Williams Single Barrel, Heaven Hill Black Label 10 yr.

There have been unsuccessful efforts to privatize this monopoly. State store employees have a very strong union and I believe that they were instrumental in preventing privatization.

Doug

[mozilla]

... My heart goes out to you guys...

Whiskey Rebellion Redux time!

I feel the same way, it is time to fix this issue. It makes me concerned and I'm not even in your state.

I am glad that y'all are able to order your bourbon through the mail. If that is the only recourse that your State Gov. gives you....then by all means cut out the State middle-man.

[Jaysus]

I am glad that y'all are able to order your bourbon through the mail. If that is the only recourse that your State Gov. gives you....then by all means cut out the State middle-man.

This is news to me, and I am not so sure that it is legal if it is happening.

[mozilla]

I don't think they are enforcing the law at this time. I got the info from the LCB, so, give them a shout and find out for sure. Wouldn't want anyone to get into trouble.