Philly Beer Bar Raided....

[bonzombiekitty]

I find two things troubling. How incredibly inept the Philly police

It wasn't Philly police. It was state police - the ones responsible for enforcing this sort of thing.

are and that beer was sold for $25 a glass.

It was for a benefit.

 

[bonzombiekitty]

oooo... Despite the general outcry of "how stupid is this?!", the PLCB is continuing with the raids. This time on one of the distributors that supplied the beer.

The Bureau of Liquor Enforcement agents arrived about 7 p.m. last night and conducted a search of the warehouse, specifically looking for Origlio’s share of brands they’d confiscated from the bars last week. This includes: Duvel, Monk’s Cafe Sour Flemish Ale, Hacker-Pschorr and Russian River Supplication.

http://joesixpack.net/blog/archives/601

 

[evsjeep527]

Has anyone written to their State legislators yet?

 

[bonzombiekitty]

Has anyone written to their State legislators yet?

Hopefully, that's the upside to this. It might lead to an overhaul of the beer regulations.

 

[brewt00l]

Raiding Origlio? Talk about chasing down a bad decision



Every resident of PA should contact their state legislators:
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/find.cfm


and contact the PALCB and tell them how proud of your home state you are:
http://www.lcb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/contact_us/18704

 

[evsjeep527]

Hopefully, that's the upside to this. It might lead to an overhaul of the beer regulations.

I really doubt we will see an "overhaul" anytime soon.

The only chance we have is that the distributors are smelling change in the wind. The same distributors who rallied against a law that would allow them to sell 6-packs are now behind changes that involve them being able to sell 6-packs. The difference? Now they are scared that grocery/convenience stores could get that right and they want to keep their piece of the pie.

I'm sure you have seen this site by now:

http://www.freemybeer.com/

Maybe we could get this outdated registering practice thrown into that legislation as well?

 

[bonzombiekitty]

Maybe we could get this outdated registering practice thrown into that legislation as well?

I don't even so much mind the registration list. I mean, yeah, it's stupid, but really it's not that big of a deal in and of itself. What IS a big deal, however is how the PLCB is handling it. They went in guns-a-blazing (almost literally) instead of trying to take some time to sit down and work a small clerical issue out in a reasonable manner.

 

[Beernik]

Three comments:

1. I wonder who the dip**** that complained is. That's a pretty criptic bit of state alcohol law the average person on the street isn't going to know. Probably another bar owner who is losing business to them.

2. If the state accepted tax payment on unpermitted beer, did the state break the law too?

3. $7200 for 61 gallons of beer? That an average price of $11 per 12 oz bottle. I'm guilty of drinking some expensive ****, but what the hell are they serving? That ain't the average micro brew or Orval.

 

[mightynintendo]

actually.... PLCB officers are a unit of the PA State Police, so the officers that raided the bar were actually doing their job, albeit poorly

I suppose if it was my job to kill puppies, I would. Luckily I don't need to kill puppies to feel good about myself.

 

[ArtVandelay]

3. $7200 for 61 gallons of beer? That an average price of $11 per 12 oz bottle. I'm guilty of drinking some expensive ****, but what the hell are they serving? That ain't the average micro brew or Orval.

The local place by me that I assume is comparable to this bar serves Orval for about $10/ 12ozish bottle. Doesn't seem that crazy.

 

[smokinghole]

So they're hitting distributors with Duvel now? I just bought a 4 pack at one of the few grocery stores that sells in less than case quantities. I should alert the distributor I buy my cases from about this, but I'm sure they heard about it already.

 

[Weezknight]

This story is amazing with its twists, turns, and accusations. The registration system in Pennsylvania is obviously broken, and it goes further than just beer.

I do a lot of work with the PA Dept. of Transportation and they also have products that must be "registered" before they are used in state construction jobs. On the surface it seems like a good way to protect people by using "approved" products, but the same problems exist here, too. We've had products denied because the State's registry has the company name spelled wrong, abbreviated improperly, or they entered a part number incorrectly (all errors that they created). Once this happens you have to go through the whole process again, usually creating delays and costing people money.

Pennsylvania's bureaucracy has become a monster that no one can tame. I feel bad for everyone involved in this.

 

[johnnyc]

If it hasn't been posted, I found this in that troll's thread.

Oy, what a mess.

Someone posted the PLCB Consumer Suggestions/Comments e-mail address on a beeradvocate.com forum: [email protected]

If you're looking to voice your opinion on this particular matter,
this might be a good start.

Cheers!
Leigh

EDIT: And here's a blog about the PLCB http://noplcb.blogspot.com/

 

[Weezknight]

So they're hitting distributors with Duvel now? I just bought a 4 pack at one of the few grocery stores that sells in less than case quantities. I should alert the distributor I buy my cases from about this, but I'm sure they heard about it already.

One of the blogs had a link to the "list" of approved beers. I noticed immediately that while Trois Pistoles was listed, Le Fin du Monde was not. I just bought some of this no more than a week ago. It's very obvious that this list is not kept properly.

 

[joety]

For the most part that is true. Anyone under 21 can drink, as long as they have parent/guardian/spouse (aged 21 or older) with them. It's entirely up to the bar to decide if they want to allow this, but I have only been to one bar that doesn't provide this awesome experience.

I love Wisconsin.

Our wonderful state legislature is at work trying to change this.

 

[smokinghole]

Well I sent a message and a link about the story to an employee. That way if they don't know they do now. I should volunteer to keep the "unregistered" beer at my house for a small fee. I am sure they have a LOT of unregistered stuff considering the amount of strange and obscure things they carry (Westy's Beer Distributor in Mechanisburg).

 

[flyerwire]

Our wonderful state legislature is at work trying to change this.

think of the children!

I find it funny that they are going to distributors to look for Monks Cafe Flemish but havent gone to... Monks Cafe. Thats where i see the follow up story being a bit wrong. I think they are taking leaps saying they are trying to pick up Duvel and Monks where they may have moved on to just getting unregistered beers

A local bar was going to put one of my kegs on tap as a free thing to see how it goes, but now all this **** makes me leery.

 

[joety]

A local bar was going to put one of my kegs on tap as a free thing to see how it goes, but now all this **** makes me leery.

Assuming the only risk is losing a $30 corny and a day's work of brewing, I say go for it. I'd love to see my beer on tap at a bar.

 

[firebird77]

A local bar was going to put one of my kegs on tap as a free thing to see how it goes, but now all this **** makes me leery.

I can't see why any bar would want to do this. If they gave these away as comp drinks, it would save them whatever they would have given away. But then if a customer orders another, they either have to give them a second free drink (not the point of comping a drink) or tell them "no, you can't have what you want because I cannot sell it to you and we can only give away one drink per person."

 

[smokinghole]

I called my rep's office and sent a decently long email. He's a reasonable guy and has responded to me personally in the past, not just canned responses. I doubt he has even heard about this happening in Philly. I made sure to tell him I bought some Duvel locally but not where and questioned how this fiasco applies to beer but not wine. I also gave him a little beer education in an as tactful way as I could. I'll want and see what he says they're in session so it might be a bit till he gets back to me.

 

[flyerwire]

I can't see why any bar would want to do this. If they gave these away as comp drinks, it would save them whatever they would have given away. But then if a customer orders another, they either have to give them a second free drink (not the point of comping a drink) or tell them "no, you can't have what you want because I cannot sell it to you and we can only give away one drink per person."

i was giving them it for free, they were going to sell it... and i dont mind losing the keg and beer, i mind a) getting the bar in trouble and b) getting in trouble more then just losing a keg.

 

[texmedic49]

If you don't realize by now that government "law enforcement" agencies are merely for-profit tax collection agencies, then you are truly blind. (not directed at anyone in particular)

They could give a crap less about serving and protecting the public. They are a tool to keep you in line and pay your dues. Like it was said, murder, rape, and steal all you want, but if you don't pay your taxes, you will be hunted down like a dog.

THIS!

Does this mean I need to move to Alaska?

 

[jturie]

i was giving them it for free, they were going to sell it... and i dont mind losing the keg and beer, i mind a) getting the bar in trouble and b) getting in trouble more then just losing a keg.

Guaran-damn-tee it that this is completely illegal in the Commonwealth of Socialist Pennsylvania. They miss out a tax step here because you're not paying them a sin tax for producing the beer.

Make sure that your door is unlocked so that the booze police walk in instead of breaking it down--cheaper that way.

Now, if that free gift to the tavern doesn't work out, I'll happily stock a corny or two in my keezer-my son and his (over 21 btw) buddies blew out my kegs last weekend, and it'll be a good 2 weeks before my next batch is racked and carbed.

 

[smokinghole]

If I had a bar I wouldn't sell beer a home brewer gave me. Not because of quality but because of the production taxes as mentioned there's federal and state licensing requirements. The only way I could see it working is if you gifted the beer and they gifted the beer to customers as mentioned earlier. Selling it would be a big no no, but at the same time free and free is probably illegal our state too.

 

[flyerwire]

oh i was sure it wasnt legal, it was only a one time thing to see how well it moved, and then i would go through the entire process, but it'll just make me go through the process earlier and delay the tapping

Now, if that free gift to the tavern doesn't work out, I'll happily stock a corny or two in my keezer-my son and his (over 21 btw) buddies blew out my kegs last weekend, and it'll be a good 2 weeks before my next batch is racked and carbed.

ha, i never have any "extra" but do have a bunch on tap that local people are welcome to come help me get rid of, SWMBO doesn't help me as much as i anticipted

 

[smokinghole]

Ahhh you were sticking your toe in the water first. I get ya.

BTW I have nothing to do today that's why I posted in here like 5 times.

 

[Sedge]

3. $7200 for 61 gallons of beer? That an average price of $11 per 12 oz bottle. I'm guilty of drinking some expensive ****, but what the hell are they serving? That ain't the average micro brew or Orval.

Local 44 only serves one bottle: Orval, but the Memphis Taproom has a ridiculous cellar with some rare ****. Not all of it is in the menu either.

 

[brewt00l]

Local 44 only serves one bottle: Orval, but the Memphis Taproom has a ridiculous cellar with some rare ****. Not all of it is in the menu either.

"had some rare ****"

Either way, it sounds like hearings on the registered brands issue and the raids are being scheduled in the House and Senate comities.

 

[evsjeep527]

"had some rare ****"

Either way, it sounds like hearings on the registered brands issue and the raids are being scheduled in the House and Senate comities.

Can you point to an article for that? I'd like to read about it and contact my reps.

Also, in case anyone is wondering, I contacted both my senator and my representative last night and got this response back from Senator Mike Folmer:

Senator Folmer considers alcohol to be a drug and is concerned about how it is distributed. The Senator is especially concerned with its
availability to minors. If expanded, there will be more opportunity for
minors to obtain beer illegally. Senator Folmer prefers maintaining the
current restrictions.

 

[arturo7]

There's some solid logic.