Rage Against the Machine?

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is slowly loosening their grip on alcohol sales in the state. First six packs of beer in the supermarket (only 2 at a time, though, you naughty child) and now wine vending machines will slowly make their way through the state. Currently there are plans for Western Pennsylvania locations, but no specific stores announced. Giant Eagle, which is the largest supermarket in the area, is listed as the one likely to receive the contracts.


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The wine kiosks offer a small approximately 40 item selection, that range from 6 to 40 dollars a bottle. You must first scan your license, and then blow into breathalyzer to confirm that you are not intoxicated. You will not be allowed to complete the transaction if your blood alcohol level measures above .02. Keep in mind that the legal limit for being considered a drunk driver is .08. If you weigh around 160 pounds, .02 is one drink. If you weigh 140 or less, you are already at the .03 to .04 level. Also keep in mind that the average person that has one drink will not appear to be impaired, which is when if you go to a state store, you will not be allowed to purchase any product.

The wine kiosks present as a step forward and backward at the same time. Pennsylvania is the only state (besides Utah) that does not allow wine and beer to be purchased in a supermarket. The kiosk is Pennsylvania’s solution to appear moderately progressive, while still protecting the state store system. I do believe that some people argue for state stores because they believe that having too open of access to alcohol is problematic, but most reasons for keeping our archaic system relate to the loss of jobs. I sympathize, I do not like to see job loss of any kind, but this Byzantine outdated system needs to go. If supermarkets become the main wine suppliers, there will be a need for additional jobs. How about allowing the ex-state store employees dibs on these positions? There has to be a fair balance that can be struck between retailers and the unions, especially because the amount of money that would be generated for grocery store chains would be impressive. To me this suggests that the stores should allow themselves to be more amenable to the requests of the state store employees’ union.

The end of state stores has been touted for years in Pennsylvania. The kiosks are a chip in the wall, but the adult citizens of Pennsylvania deserve a full on Berlin Wall-esque teardown of our current system.

What do you think? Would you buy your wine from a kiosk? Do you dislike the state store system in Pennsylvania, or does it not really matter to you?

Myself? I’m not sure. Subjecting myself to a breathalyzer is too invasive in my book. BUT not having to run an extra errand is also intriguing. Obviously I have a marked disdain for the current system, and would love to see a full selection of wine and beer at my local grocer.