Just picked up a couple bottles of BCBS 2022 at Costco for $8.59. It’s been awhile since a bought a bottle but from what I recall they sold for like $12.99 fresh. Interesting that it’s at Costco, at a discount and from 2022.
I’m heading to my local Costco to check it out When I went through JFK 2 weeks ago, there were bottles free at the Delta 1 lounge.
Re: Beer Rules- What is the deal in PA, why are their restrictions like the ones in the Bible Belt states? Not for or against, just think it's interesting (strange)
I don’t know. You can buy beer and wine in supermarkets here, yet I see posts about buying beer in Costco and World Market elsewhere, but PA locations don’t have alcohol available. My neighbor shops at the Costco in Delaware and he says that they sell wine and beer there!
Amish and Mennonites control far more than you would assume. As the old adage goes, "There's Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with Kentucky in between" There are also crazy blue laws in Ottawa Co., Michigan due to religious beliefs of a minority that wields power. Democracy is strange.
A Costco store would have to apply for a license to sell beer just like a supermarket (or whatever). There is a Target not too far away from me that sells beer. Cheers!
Isn't that fairly recent? When I was living back East, from 2007 thru 2012, most Pa. grocery stores didn't sell beer or wine. Those that did (like Whole Foods and certain Wegmans), had an on premise restaurant that had an alcohol license (which allowed them to get around the state prohibition I believe). Back then, it seemed like there was always some thread going in the Mid Atlantic forum, discussing the latest nonsense perpetrated by some local county liquor commissioner. With respect to Costco, the ones that are able to sell liquor are fairly limited. I think there are 26 states where you can buy liquor at Costco, 17 of which require membership. So at least in that regard, Pennsylvania is not that unusual (West Virginia, Rhode Island and Wyoming don't have a Costco).
Just picked up a bottle of 2022 regular BCBS at Micro Liquor here in LFK yesterday for $12.99. Decided to take a fling based on my previous reviews over the years. I'll get back to you later tonight after popping it. Based on my previous reviews, I passed on the 2021 BCBS Cola bottle for $14.99 as well as the 2022 BCBS 30th Anniversary Reserve variant they still wanted $32.99 a bottle.
OK, here ya go.... (initial review from November 2022) Another nice regular BCBS year that gets a little 'mo back to that, "in yer face/up yer nose" bourbon/whisky goodness from 4-5 years ago yet still doesn't have much in-TENSE/leathery/tobacco-y/smoky notes as long ago versions. Much mellower, but still one of the best dollar-for-dollar, bourbon barrel aged imperial stouts available. (2nd review from February 2024) Mellows well for a year old but most flavors starting to fade big time. (3rd review from today) See previous reviews. Took a wild fling & bought this from Micro Liquor for $12.99 hoping it hadn't faded any more since 2024. Luckily it didn't.
It ‘took off’ in 2016: “Pennsylvania began allowing supermarkets to sell beer in limited capacities around 2009–2010 by obtaining restaurant licenses, a practice that became widespread after regulatory changes. However, sweeping reforms via Act 39 in 2016 officially accelerated beer and wine sales in grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants, allowing them to sell up to 192 ounces (twelve 16-oz cans) per transaction.” As I posted above, even a Target store in my area sells beer. And some Wawa stores as well. Cheers!
Thanks. Yeah, when I moved West in 2013, my recollection was that beer and wine sales in grocery stores was still pretty uncommon. As for Target, to the best of my knowledge most Target stores sell beer and wine, and many sell liquor as well. Increasingly, many also have a grocery section.
In Pennsylvania I only know of one that sells beer. A retailer (supermarket, Wawa, Target, etc.) needs to apply for a license to the PLCB and be willing to pay the cost of that license. My understanding is they have to pay a one-time fee for the application and then some sort of percentage cost annually once the license is awarded. Does the PLCB restrict the number of licenses for these sorts of beer/wine sales? Likely. Cheers!
