Does Turkey Hill Sell Beer? A Look at the Convenience Store Chain’s Foray Into Alcohol Sales

Turkey Hill the beloved Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain known for its ice cream and coffee made waves in 2017 when it began selling beer and wine at select locations. This was a major shift for the family-friendly company that had stuck to non-alcoholic offerings for nearly a century.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into Turkey Hill’s current beer and wine offerings. We’ll cover where you can find alcohol at Turkey Hill stores, what brands they carry, their history of rolling out booze, and what it means for the future.

The Start of Booze Sales at Turkey Hill

Turkey Hill opened its first convenience store all the way back in 1931. For over 85 years, the chain built its reputation on ice cream, snacks, and other food and drinks. But no beer, wine, or other alcohol.

That changed in November 2017 when Turkey Hill started selling beer and wine at its Allentown PA location. This was the first time alcohol was available at any of Turkey Hill’s 200+ stores.

The Allentown store offers a variety of domestic and imported beer brands as well as wines from Pennsylvania wineries. The location also has an expanded food menu with fresh burgers, pizza, and other items.

Expansion of Beer and Wine Sales

The Allentown location served as a test store for Turkey Hill to trial alcohol sales. In April 2019, the company added beer and wine to a store in South Hanover Township, its first location in Dauphin County to sell alcohol.

Turkey Hill also has several other stores in Lancaster County that now sell beer and wine. These are located in places like Elizabethtown, Willow Street, and Manheim Township.

Additionally, the company has announced plans to bring alcohol sales to more stores across Pennsylvania. They currently have licenses approved for two future locations in Susquehanna Township and West Hanover Township.

So while beer and wine are still only available at a handful of Turkey Hill stores, they continue to expand alcohol offerings in a slow and steady way.

What Beer Brands Does Turkey Hill Sell?

The Turkey Hill stores that sell beer offer a wide selection of domestic and imported brands.

Some of the most popular beer varieties on the shelves include:

• Budweiser
• Coors Light
• Miller Lite
• Yuengling
• Corona
• Heineken
• Stella Artois
• Samuel Adams
• Sierra Nevada
• Dogfish Head

They stock all the macro lagers like Bud Light and Miller High Life. But also carry craft beer options from Pennsylvania breweries and beyond. The variety ensures mainstream domestic beer drinkers and craft aficionados can both find something to enjoy.

What Types of Wine Does Turkey Hill Offer?

For wine selection, Turkey Hill focuses on wines produced right in Pennsylvania.

They highlight wines from prominent Keystone State wineries like:

• Naylor Wine Cellars
• Galen Glen Winery
• Mazza Vineyards
• Arrowhead Wine Cellars
• Presque Isle Wine Cellars

The stores stock a range of Pennsylvania-made white, red, blush, and fruit wines. Supporting local wineries helps Turkey Hill cater to PA wine lovers.

Why Did Turkey Hill Start Selling Alcohol?

Selling beer and wine represents a major strategic shift for the traditionally family-friendly Turkey Hill chain. But it makes sense in light of some larger industry trends.

As convenience stores face increasing competition from grocery stores, pharmacies, dollar stores, and more, they’ve been diversifying inventory to drive sales. Many convenience stores are expanding fresh food options and adding adult beverages.

Turkey Hill is also now owned by the British company EG Group. With new corporate ownership came an evaluation of business opportunities, including potential alcohol sales.

Beer and wine sales can attract new customers and increase basket size. Offering alcohol helps Turkey Hill modernize, compete in the market, and cater to changing consumer preferences.

What Does This Mean for the Future?

The rollout of beer and wine sales at Turkey Hill locations figures to continue in coming years. As they open new stores, it’s likely that most will include alcohol offerings.

Turkey Hill will still aim to maintain its family-friendly vibe and focus on ice cream, coffee, and food. But carrying popular beer and wine brands helps them meet all customers’ needs and preferences.

The company is entering the alcohol market slowly and cautiously. But beer and wine have already become a permanent part of the Turkey Hill portfolio, with expansions on the horizon.

So for Pennsylvania residents, it’s now easier than ever to grab a six pack, a bottle of wine, or even ingredients for a beer float along with your Turkey Hill iced tea or ice cream. The convenience store is now a one-stop shop for Pennsylvanians’ food, beverage, and alcohol needs.