Come January, the cost of booze is going up in Pennsylvania, and you can thank the state’s Liquor Control Board for the price hike. For the first time in 17 years the PLCB is raising the handling fees on distilled spirits and wine. The price hikes, which the state-run liquor control board say are necessary to cover what it calls logistics, transportation, and merchandise factor, will rise from about $1.20 to $1.96 per 750-milliliter bottle, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal. With more than 60 percent of purchase prices on bottles of liquor already going towards taxes, fees and markups, the additional increase will likely drive prices up an additional 94 cents more per bottle. With Pennsylvania’s economic outlook not looking much better for next year than last, its expected that many restaurants and bars will have little choice but pass the cost increases onto consumers. Here’s mud in your eye, PLCB. [PBJ]
