9 PA Gas Stations Approved For Beer Sales

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board on Wednesday approved nine applications from gas stations seeking to sell 6-packs of beer, Governor Tom Wolf's office announced.

In applauding the decision, Wolf praised the board for "freeing the the six-pack."

He requested the PLCB approve similar subsequent applications. The gas stations approved in Wednesday's vote include locations in Luzerne, Washington, Huntingdon, Columbia and Allegheny counties, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

"Allowing malt or brewed beverages to be sold at gas stations under appropriate circumstances is an important step toward our shared goal of “freeing the six-pack” and increasing convenience and improving customer satisfaction for all Pennsylvanians," Wolf said.

The nine gas stations were granted approval to sell up to 192 ounces of malt or brewed beverages.

Currently, the Pennsylvania Liquor Code requires that the PLCB can deny any application for a new license or for the transfer of any license to a location where gas is sold.

However, a recent Commonwealth Court ruling says that malt and brewed beverages can be sold on the same property as liquid fuels, as long as points of sale are appropriately separated and the applications meet certain guidelines.

"The Court’s decision sets important precedent that both clarifies this provision of the Liquor Code and allows for the sale of malt or brewed beverages at gas stations and other businesses under appropriate circumstances," Wolf said in a letter sent Tuesday to the PLCB.

“I applaud the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for approving these applications and respectfully ask that they approve similar subsequent applications that otherwise meet PLCB standards in order to improve customer service and convenience for Pennsylvania.”

The state Supreme Court in February said it would said it would take up a case challenging whether gas stations can lawfully sell beer.