PLCB Shenanigans

More Fallout from PLCB Bar Raids

As expected, the Daily News, led by beer columnist Don Russell/Joe Sixpack, is all over the PLCB bar raids story again today. What we’ve learned since yesterday: politicians think the raids were absurd, too. State Rep. John Taylor, who is on the House Liquor Control Committee, told the paper the raid was “a ridiculous use of enforcement manpower.” Joe Sixpack also explains how Pennsylvania’s outdated laws make it okay to cellar wine, but cellared beer might be confiscated. It also appears that brewers and distributors are starting to get jittery about that whole registration business. Update: And they should be - wholesale distributor Origlio was raided last night.

Last night’s Exit 16 launch event at McGillins was postponed at the last minute after “delay in the registration paperwork for Exit 16 in Pennsylvania.” And now comes news from Beer Radar that the Duvel supply is endangered:

Word arrives this afternoon that some bars are having difficulty getting new shipments of Duvel Belgian Golden Ale - certainly one of the biggest selling Belgian ales in America - because the PLCB registration list refers to it only as “Duvel Beer.” In other words, distributors are suddenly gun-shy because of the State Police beer raid.

Update: Beer Radar has posted details about the State Police’s raid on Origlio, the local distributor of Duvel.

We’re sure these aren’t the only beer folk affected by the current situation in Pennsylvania. What still remains to be seen is whether or not the identity of the “concerned citizen” tipster, who knows an awful lot about obscure beer laws, will be revealed.

Previously: What Kind of Concerned Citizen Reports a Bar for Unregistered Beer?
Pol calls beer raid ‘ridiculous use of manpower
[Daily News]
Joe Sixpack: Outdated laws, a changed beer scene
[Daily News]

More Fallout from PLCB Bar Raids