HARRISBURG -- A state Senate committee is considering a bill that would change the way beer is sold in Pennsylvania, permitting distributors to sell half-cases of beer, also known as 12-packs, in addition to full cases of 24 or 30 cans or bottles that they've always been allowed to sell.

The bill also would let distributors sell different kinds of products that are available in other states, such as 15-packs and 18-packs of beer.

Another part of the bill, which senators called "a consumer-friendly measure,'' would liberalize the rules for those taverns, bars and restaurants that are licensed to sell beer. They are currently limited to selling one or two six-packs, but under Senate Bill 674, they could sell up to three six-packs at a time.

"This would be a change to the beer industry. Consumers want change and flexibility,'' said state Sen. Sean Logan, D-Monroeville, the sponsor of the bill and the minority chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee.

The committee, which debates beer and liquor issues, was supposed to vote on the bill yesterday, but the chairman, Sen. John Rafferty, D-Montgomery, delayed the vote until the week of June 4 to give all interested parties, such as beer distributors and tavern owners, one last chance to comment.

They are divided on the measure.

Critics say things have run well for decades under the current rules and things shouldn't change.

The bill would also affect groceries and convenience stores, such as Sheetz, Wegman's and Weis, which are seeking permission to sell beer.

Sheetz would like to sell beer at a store in Altoona but so far has been blocked by a court decision. Weis sells beer at one of its grocery stores in eastern Pennsylvania, while Wegman's would like to sell beer at its 11 grocery stores in Pennsylvania, including two in Erie and one in State College.

Randolph St. John, an official of the Pennsylvania Convenience Store Council, which represents groceries and convenience stores, said his group supports the bill.

Beer distributors are more divided, senate officials said, with some fearing greater competition from taverns or convenience stores if they are allowed to sell up to three six-packs.

Some tavern owners, on the other hand, aren't happy about distributors getting the right to sell a 12-pack, which now only taverns can do.

Mr. Logan thinks the bill will be approved by the committee the week of June 4, but he isn't sure what will happen in the full Senate.