Consumer Care

Beer distributors offer consumers a wide selection of beers and other beverages in a variety of package sizes and containers. MBDA members represent hundreds of manufacturers, from multi-national breweries to the smallest microbreweries. We provide customers with a vast selection of imported and domestic beers, including all Pennsylvania brews.

A typical member offers consumers more than 1,000 choices in the form of multiple brands, styles, sizes, packages and related snacks and supplies. Because of the variety and quality of our members’ products, Pennsylvania brewers can maximize both exposure and floor space.

Economic Impact

Beer distributors are local employers with more than 36,000 workers, and generate in excess of $2.9 billion in annual economic impact. MBDA members generate substantial federal, state and local tax revenues. Annually, the Commonwealth receives $1.1 billion in personal, business and and consumption taxes, a portion of which goes back to each local municipality. The tax dollars we generate stay in our communities and in Pennsylvania.

Social Impact

Consumer Choice

Pennsylvania’s beer distributors represent hundreds of manufacturers, from multi-national
breweries to the smallest microbreweries. They provide customers with a vast selection of
imported and domestic beers, including all Pennsylvania brews. A typical distributor offers
consumers more than 1,000 choices in the form of multiple brands, styles, sizes, packages
and related snacks and supplies.

Protecting Minors

Pennsylvania’s beer distributors have years of experience in not selling to minors, and their
livelihood is dependent on preventing illegal sales. Distributors have invested in the newest
age verification equipment, and MBDA promotes its use by offering discounted pricing
through endorsed vendors. They train employees not to sell to minors or intoxicated
persons, and participate in alcohol awareness and educational programs throughout the
Commonwealth that include Cops in Shops, DARE, Family Talk, Project Sticker Shock,
RAMP, Responsible Marketing Initiative, Slow on the Bottle Enjoy the Road, TIPS and We ID. They give talks at local
schools on the dangers of underage drinking and are a force in the community to fight teen drinking.

Encouraging Responsibility

Pennsylvania’s beer distributors work diligently with industry affiliates, enforcement
agencies, churches, schools and advocacy groups to promote adult responsibility, fight
underage drinking and alcohol abuse. They have formed partnerships with a variety of
community groups and initiatives that include Catholic Youth Organization, College Action
Against Underage Drinking, Council on Chemical Abuse, Dickinson University’s Public
Safety Department, Local Chapters of MADD, Pennsylvanians Against Underage Drinking,
PLCB, SADD, Sheriffs’ Association and Wyoming Valley Alcohol & Drug Service.

Community Involvement

Pennsylvania’s beer distributors are local, family-owned and operated businesses, generation
after generation, who give back to their communities. They sponsor a variety of consumerbased
programs that include youth and school athletics, benefits to help offset medical
costs, cheerleading, fishing clubs, bands, theater groups, concerts, school scholarships, block
parties, fairs, festivals and parades. They contribute to a variety of community groups that
include local churches, youth ministries, police/fire/ambulance departments, booster clubs,
women’s clubs, libraries, museums, historical societies, parks and recreational centers.

Specific beneficiaries include: Alex’s Lemonade, ALS, AMBUCS, American Cancer Society, American Legion, Big
Brothers/Big Sisters, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Hershey Medical Center, Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, Cerebral Palsy,
Children’s Miracle Network, Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes Association, Easter Seals, Exchange Club, 4-H Club, Humane
Society, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Make-A-Wish, March of Dimes, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Multiple Sclerosis
Association, Optimists Club, Power Packs Project, Read Across America, Red Cross, Relay for Life, Rotary Club, St. Jude’s
Hospital for Children, Salvation Army, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Special Olympics, Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome, Toys for Tots, United Way, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Center, Veterans of Foreign War, Vietnam
Wall Memorial, Walk for Life, War Veterans of Iraq, Wolves Club and YMCA/YWCA. Besides monetary support,
donations include beverages, snacks, ice, shirts, hats and gift certificates.

Prepared by Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania

Protecting Minors

Beer distributors have years of experience in not selling to minors, and our livelihood is dependent on preventing illegal sales. MBDA members have invested in the newest age verification equipment, and the Association promotes its use by offering discounted pricing through endorsed vendors. Members train employees not to sell to minors or intoxicated persons, and we participate in alcohol awareness and educational programs throughout the Commonwealth. Our distributors also participate in educational and empowering programs, including Cops in Shops, DARE, Family Talk, Project Sticker Shock, RAMP, Responsible Marketing Initiative, Slow on the Bottle Enjoy the Road, TIPS and We ID. They give talks at local schools on the dangers of underage drinking and are a force in the community to fight teen drinking.

How does MBDA encourage adult consumers to drink responsibly?

To promote adult responsibility and fight underage drinking and alcohol abuse, beer distributors work diligently with industry affiliates, enforcement agencies, churches, schools and advocacy groups. Our distributors have formed partnerships with a variety of community groups and initiatives, including:

• Catholic Youth Organization
• College Action Against Underage Drinking, Council on Chemical abuse
• Dickinson University’s Public Safety Department
• MADD
• Pennsylvanians Against Underage Drinking
• PA Liquor Control Board
• SADD
• Sheriffs’ Association
• Wyoming Valley Alcohol & Drug Service.

Statistics released by the U.S. Department of Transportation show that Pennsylvania, with a decline of 7.4% over 2005, was one of 26 states in which the number of drunk-driving-related fatalities dropped.

MBDA members contribute to a variety of community groups:

• local churches
• youth ministries
• police/fire/ambulance departments
• booster clubs
• women’s clubs
• libraries
• museums
• historical societies
• parks and recreational centers