Find Local Wine and Spirit Stores With New iPhone App

Need some wine, but unfamiliar with the area? The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board released an app for iPhone users that brings Fine Wine & Good Spirits to your pocket.

In Narberth and Bala Cynwyd, residents probably have a good working knowledge that there are state stores at , and .

However, the searchable features from the app will show you others nearby—at 56 Greenfield Avenue in Ardmore and at 3720 Main St. in Manayunk, for example. Better yet, the app is helpful in even more unfamiliar terrain—like it Hershey or Altoona.

The app, which is free and available on iTunes for those older than 17, also includes: 

• Product browsing of the wine and spirits catalogs
• Real time pricing and inventory
• Product search capabilities
• Bottle scanner to identify product

Hosted by Apple's third party site allows users to rate it. So far, 23 people have weighed in, with fairly favorable views, reading like this one: "Finding the nearest Wine and Spirits store is so clutch!"

One negative review said: "Just one more reason to get rid of the government-run booze business. We get to see how many wines and spirits we can't buy in PA and how over-priced products are."

Reason against privatization?

With the iPhone app (a Droid one is on the way), and frequently updated Facebook and Twitter pages, the Liquor Control Board is getting into the 21st century.

However, proponents of privatizing the state's liquor stores said in a Philadelphia Inquirer article that the technology hardly changes their views. Leading Republicans interviewed said the tech push was nice, but can't compete with private companies who already have apps and social media.

Still, the state's LCB said the app is a work in progress and will continue to innovate.

To read the Inquirer story, click here.