The modernization of Pennsylvania’s liquor laws are now starting to go in effect. Earlier this summer, the General Assembly sent Act 39 of 2016 to Governor Tom Wolf’s desk and the bill expanded the sales of liquor stores with longer hours, stores staying open on Sundays, beer being sold in gas stations, wine being sold in supermarkets AND craft beer being sold in farmers markets and food expos.
The last provision wasn’t widely publicized, but those who have a license to brew beer and cider or distill liquors are now allowed to sell their products in local farmers markets. Breweries will have to obtain a special permit – $30 dollars a day – to set up shop in a local market, but they cannot be in a single location for more than 30 consecutive days or more than 100 days in a calendar year. Beer sales are limited to 192 ounces per transaction and breweries are allowed to operate in multiple farmers markets.
According to Lancaster Online, the changes to Pennsylvania’s liquor laws will allow small distilleries to sell craft beer and win and allow the distillers to partake in selling their potions in farmers markets.
One local brewery in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Forest and Main Brewing in Ambler, Pennsylvania, is gearing up to sell their suds in a local farmers market. The brewery will bring 32 ounce crowlers if their Banjo saison, a farmhouse ale made with cucumbers and cantaloupe, and a new pale ale at the Ambler Farmers Market this Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm – or while supplies last.
