Pennsylvanians Do Record-Breaking Drinking During Pandemic

HARRISBURG, PA — The numbers don't lie. Drinking has been a preferred pastime of adult Pennsylvanians during the pandemic, according to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board's just released 2020-21 annual report.

The board reported record net income and the largest annual sales increase in the agency's history during 2020-21, with sales of $2.9 billion - a $394 million of 13.7 increase over the previous year. Additionally, 2021-sales were $238.5 million or 8.9 percent higher than the previous (pre-COVID-19) record sales of $2.6 in 2018-19.

The record sales allowed the agency to contribute $764 million to the state's general fund. Unsurprisingly, three of the state's largest counties -Allegheny, Philadelphia, and Montgomery — accounted for almost 35 percent of statewide sales.

Here's what people preferred to drown their pandemic sorrows with:

• Of the state's 67 counties, 53 had unflavored vodka as their top spirit. American whiskey was favored in 13 counties while Canadian whiskey was the preferred choice in Greene County.

• California cabernet sauvignon was the top wine category in 26 counties, while another 19 counties had box red wine as the top wine category. Beverage wine followed in 14 counties, and California chardonnay followed in eight.

See the entire annual report here.