ALLENTOWN PA – Two local businesses, one each in Pottstown and Gilbertsville, that are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages were among 16 licensees cited during April by Pennsylvania State Police for a variety of alleged infractions, according to a monthly report released Friday (April 28, 2023).
Troopers issued the citations on behalf of the Allentown-based District 9 office of the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. The district covers Montgomery, Berks, Bucks, Lehigh, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties.
Cited, the bureau report said, were:
JJ Ratigan Brewing LLC, 223-227 E. High St., Pottstown, for two offenses.
- Troopers said its servants, agents or employees “manufactured and/or sold alcoholic beverages” on four dates in January and one in March 2023 after its brewery license expired Dec. 31, 2022, and had not been renewed and/or validated, violating the Pennsylvania Liquor Code.
- They also claimed that, on the same dates, workers “offered, sold, and/or delivered a brand or brands of malt or brewed beverages not registered” with the state Liquor Control Board, in violation of the Liquor Code and board regulations.
Shree Hari Golf LLC, trading as the Hickory Valley Golf Club, 1921 Ludwig Rd., Gilbertsville, for four offenses.
- Troopers reported its workers “failed to clean malt or brewed beverage dispensing system faucets at least once every 14 days,” in violation of board regulations.
- Company representatives purchased malt or brewed beverages on credit on one date in August 2022, violating the liquor code.
- On the same date, troopers said, representatives transported malt or brewed beverages without a license, violating the liquor code.
- For the period between Feb. 14 and March 23 (2023), its board-approved beverage manager failed to complete state-required training within 180 days of the approval, violating the liquor code.
Charges will be brought before an administrative law judge who, according to the report, has the authority to impose penalties ranging from $50-$1,000 for minor offenses, and up to $5,000 for more serious offenses. The judge also can impose a license suspension or revocation of the license based on the severity of charges brought; and can mandate training for licensees to educate them regarding state requirements.
Other locations cited elsewhere
Citations also were issued by the office during April to:
- Two other license-holders in Montgomery County, located in Blue Bell and Conshohocken;
- Two in Berks County, in Shillington and Reading;
- Six in Bucks County, in Bristol, Levittown, Southampton, Riegelsville, Fairless Hill, and Hatboro;
- One in Lehigh County, in Allentown;
- Two in Northampton County, in Walnutport and Bethlehem; and
- One in Schuylkill County, in Pottsville.
The office also reported that during April it:
- Received a total of 65 complaints,
- Made seven criminal arrests,
- Issued six citations for under-age liquor consumption or possession,
- Conducted no age compliance checks of licensed establishments and found no licensees that sold alcohol to an under-age buyer,
- Issued 24 letters notifying licensees they were in violation of liquor laws, and
- Issued 21 letters warning licensees of potential violations.
Graphic provided by Pennsylvania State Police
