March 1, 2013

Hot Report: Summary of the Governor's Alcohol Pricing Bill

OLR Report 2013-R-0150 summarizes the Governor's bill: An Act Concerning Fair Alcohol Pricing (HB 6361).

This bill allows package stores to sell liquor and wine at a lower price, by allowing them to sell at their actual acquisition cost, rather than the wholesaler's posted bottle price plus delivery costs, as under current law. The acquisition cost is always lower than the posted bottle price. The bill does not affect minimum pricing for beer.

Liquor and wine pricing vary greatly. The percentage difference between bottle price and the actual cost varies from brand-to-brand and month-to-month. Even the same brand's percentages vary depending on the month or bottle size.

For more information, read the full report.