Find Local Wine and Spirits 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 the Marple Newtown area, residents probably have a good working knowledge that state stores are located near in the and .

However, the searchable features from the app will tell you there are nearby shops at the Edgmont Square Shopping Center, 315 West Baltimore Avenue in Media and 1305 West Chester Pike in Havertown. Better yet, the app gives you the ability to call those stores directly or map directions to get there.

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 LBC said the app is a work in progress and will continue to innovate.

To read the Inquirer story, click here.