Part One

I feel that I should write this next entry in two parts.  First section I am just going to dive into how wacky PA is and how it’s all I’ve ever known and loved.  Then, we'll discuss Louisiana and how this place BLOWS MY MIND on the reg.

1. Drinking (Part One)

It’s not hard to have more lenient liquor laws than PA does.  In fact, the first line in the Wiki article for alcohol laws in PA is this: “The alcohol laws of Pennsylvania are some of the most restrictive in the United States of America, and contain many peculiarities not found in other states.” 

So, why are the laws so strict?  Well, first off, say you want to have a party in PA as I often did.  Well, you need some beer, some liquor and probably some mixers if you enjoy your guests (well, and food, but let’s forget about that).  So, to do this, you can’t just wake up an hour before your party and shuffle off to the nearest grocery store.  No.  You should wake up at least five hours before your party because you’ve got multiple stops to make, that, most likely, are way across town from each other. 

So first you head to the Wine and Spirits shops.  What’s that?  It’s where you get your liquor.  You know—rum, vodka, tequila and even, you guessed it, wine.  Wine and Spirits stores are all owned by PA, so you can pretty much go to any location and get the same prices.  That’s pretty sweet.  Oh!  And make sure, if you’re going on Sunday, that you do so between 12noon to 6pm, otherwise, CLOSED!!! *Evil laughter erupts from state officials.*  And even further, a year or so ago, they weren’t open AT ALL on Sunday! So, that's stop number one.



But.... that's not all you need!  No one drinks strait vodka, they need orange juice or bloody mary mix. For that, you need to stop at your nearest grocery store which, most often, isn't next to a Wine and Spirits store.  So, at the grocery store you get all your essential mixers.  If you need daquiri or margarita mix, you get it on this stop because there is no place else.  Go, get it now!


And finally, you need beer for the casual drinkers.  The men of the party.... or my friend J***, she likes beer.  :)  So then you go to the beer distributor.  These locally owned ugly warehouse looking places sell your beer, beer nuts, beef jerky and lottery.... So pick up a few things while you're out!  And these beer distributors where you get beer and my Woodchuck Hard Cider only sell by the case.  That's right, you CANNOT get a six pack of beer at a beer distributor.  Why?  I have no flipping idea.  It is strange.  The only place you can get a six pack is at little pizza places.  Otherwise, you better be committed to drinking!


So there you go.  There are a lot of other wacky alcohol laws, but that is the jist.  I never really thought it was too much of a nuisance because I was used to it, but let me tell you.... Louisiana.... now this is where the alcohol is.

Until the next entry, this is me, signing out.