BYOB!

mosli

hi all!
the reception venue i'm looking into is byob, and knowing the fun Penn liquor laws, i was wondering how to go about getting larger quantities of wine and beer. Would I just go through a beer distributor and a liquor store, or is there a way to buy wholesale? Has anyone else done this?

thanks!

JennyBee1018

I think the only way to buy wholesale is if you know someone who owns a bar/restaurant who is willing to buy for you.

We were lucky enough to have my uncle, who owns a bar, help us by buying all the alcohol, and we just reimbursed him for what we used, and he kept whatever was not used for the bar.

Otherwise, you need to go thru the PLCB and beer distributors for an order. Good luck!

CLW102409

We did this for our wedding.  We just went to the Liquor Outlet store in Wash. Co. bought bigger bottles of vodka, rum, etc. and bought regular sized bottles of some special stuff.  As for the wine, we bought the 1/2 gallon bottles of whatever was on sale.   The only difference was sales tax going to another county and the Wash store had a bigger selection of wine.  As for beer, we did bottles so we just bought several different cases of specialty beers.  That was the easiest for us without us having to buy kegs and wasting it. 

KimWard

I did this too (well, technically my parents did since I'm out of state). They just went to their local liquor store and beer distributor (we had a keg...or maybe half keg? I don't remember). I had thought about just buying it down here (in VA), but we didn't feel like transporting back the unopened bottles afterwards. I know it's illegal to do that, but I think it may have been a little cheaper. Oh well!

LaFemmeRousse

Ha, echoing Kim... I know it's not exactly legal, but I have been known to bring back cheap Costco wine to Pittsburgh when I come home   Would it be possible hit up a Sam's or Costco across the border in OH or WV?  Is it bad that I'm even suggesting that?

mosli

that's what I was thinking, Thanks!

I do have family in Ohio, so maybe a little trafficing.. lol

jschmatz

hi!  i have just started planning my wedding and i am looking for a BYOB.  Where were you able to find one?  do you know of any others?

williaam2

I have vague recollections of someone talking about using dreadnought wines...I know there's a vendor in pittsburgh that will let you order whatever you think you need, and will then only charge you for what's opened.  Can someone else chime in with a name?

Just as an FYI, you don't need to go through the LCB unless you are SELLING the alcohol.  As long as you obey basic laws, you can just go buy a ton from distributor (there is an outlet in Washington, PA, and you can often get things cheaper than at the neighborhood liquor store).  They'll probably have you sign a disclaimer that you won't serve to minors, but that's it!