Spirit-based drinks now permitted at hundreds of Montgomery County stores

WHEATON, Md. - Hundreds of beer and wine stores in Montgomery County can now add spirit-based drinks to their offerings, following a decision announced this week by the Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services. 

The change provides customers with expanded options and opens new revenue streams for local businesses.  

The move comes as Maryland continues to explore the broader expansion of liquor sales across the state.  

For many businesses, this decision marks a significant opportunity. 

Stores like Elbe's Beer and Wine in Wheaton, which has been serving the community for decades, are already preparing to capitalize on the change.  

"It’s a family-owned business. We’re second generation. We started in 1951, we’re going on 74 years in May," said Jeff Bobrow of Elbe's.  

Bobrow sees the addition of spirit-based ready-to-drink (RTD) products as a game-changer.  

"We’re looking forward to it. It should increase business. It’s been slow; this should be a boom for our business," he said.  

Elbe's is one of the first businesses in the county to apply for the new expanded license. The store has already ordered 120 cases of spirit-based RTDs like High Noon, a product customers have repeatedly requested.  

"If I had a dollar for every person asking me for a High Noon in the summertime, we’d be rich," Bobrow added.  

Previously, private retailers in Montgomery County that sold beer and wine were limited to malt-based products. 

Now, those same stores can stock spirit-based drinks, significantly increasing the number of locations where customers can find these beverages — from about 20 stores to as many as 400.  

Customers are already welcoming the change.  

"Yeah, I would think it’s gonna make it easier, cause you gotta go buy stuff here, then go to another place. That just takes too long," said one shopper.  

According to Kathie Durbin, director of ABS, spirit-based RTDs are among the industry’s best-selling products.  

"They're very popular. People like them. There are more choices and it’s worked in other jurisdictions. So we really wanted to expand and help our businesses. If they have the space, they can do it," said Durbin.  

While the program is optional for retailers, the application process is swift, with license approvals taking as little as an hour. 

At Elbe's, the newly ordered spirit-based products will be available to customers as soon as tomorrow.