Beverage Distributing in Washington & Oregon
In 2008, Columbia Distributing, Mt. Hood Beverage, and Gold River Distributing united to form Columbia Distributing as we know it today. With this merger and the 2018 acquisitions of Marine View Beverage and General Distributors, Inc., our company is now one of the country’s largest malt beverage distributors. Size is not our only distinction, however. Columbia Distributing boasts an extensive selection of beverages, including craft beer, wine and spirits.
Here’s how we got to where we are.
Columbia Distributing
Started in 1935 by Chris Maletis, Sr., Columbia Distributing has distributed some of the best-known brands in the beverage business.
In 1993, Ed Maletis, grandson of Chris Maletis, Sr., acquired the rights to the Miller Brewing product lines for the Portland market. Adding Miller to the existing craft beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverage portfolio of the family-owned Maletis Beverage enabled expanded beverage distributing throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Mt. Hood Beverage
Mt. Hood Beverage was originally part of Portland food wholesaler Wadham & Company. This company traces its roots back to the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. Incorporating the Olympia Brewing Company line, it became one of Oregon’s first wholesale distributors of malt beverage products. Later, as Coast Distributors, its distribution grew to include western Oregon and Washington.
In 1990, Dan Agnew and Dick Lytle merged Coast Distributors with United Beverage to create Mt. Hood Beverage Company. Representing Coors Brewing Company, G. Heileman Brewing Company, Pabst Brewing Company, a host of domestic and import breweries, and many brands of wine, Mt. Hood Beverage led Oregon’s beverage industry.
Gold River Distributing
In 1977, the Lytle and Agnew families bought Gold River Distributing, their first wine and beer distributorship. Based in southern Oregon, the company focused on the Blitz, Lucky, and Gallo brands.
Over the next 10 years, the families made additional acquisitions and negotiated the rights to carry the Miller Brewing and Coors product lines. Merging the distributorships under the Gold River name, this beverage distributor claimed more than 50 percent market share of beer and wine sold in the area.
Gorgeous summer days call for cracking a crisp, cold cider with a friend.
🍎 Schilling Local Legend
✏️ “Indulge fellow Legend, in this blissful beverage! This cider is the perfect harmony of dry & sweet and as refreshing as a cool mountain creek.” ABV: 5.2%
🍒 Schilling Excelsior Ground Control – NA
✏️ “Scientifically crafted for those looking to stay grounded while enjoying their intergalactic space adventure. This cider is a blend of fresh-pressed cider apples and tart cherry juice with no artificial flavoring or sugar.” ABV: 0%
👉 Schilling Hard Cider has a bevy of thirst-quenching options. Check out the PNW’s favorites at the link in our bio.
📍 We proudly distribute Schilling Hard Cider throughout Oregon and Washington. Find it locally by using their site’s cider locator.
#columbiadistributing #schillinghardcider #madeinPNW #madeinwa @schillingcider
Gorgeous summer days call for cracking a crisp, cold cider with a friend.
🍎 Schilling Local Legend
✏️ “Indulge fellow Legend, in this blissful beverage! This cider is the perfect harmony of dry & sweet and as refreshing as a cool mountain creek.” ABV: 5.2%
🍒 Schilling Excelsior Ground Control – NA
✏️ “Scientifically crafted for those looking to stay grounded while enjoying their intergalactic space adventure. This cider is a blend of fresh-pressed cider apples and tart cherry juice with no artificial flavoring or sugar.” ABV: 0%
👉 Schilling Hard Cider has a bevy of thirst-quenching options. Check out the PNW’s favorites at the link in our bio.
📍 We proudly distribute Schilling Hard Cider throughout Oregon and Washington. Find it locally by using their site’s cider locator.
#columbiadistributing #schillinghardcider #madeinPNW #madeinwa @schillingcider
We’re honored to announce starting August 1, 2025, we will begin distributing Brown-Forman’s portfolio in Washington.
This impressive portfolio includes: Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands, Woodford Reserve, Herradura, el Jimador, New Mix, Old Forester, The Glendronach, Glenglassaugh, Benriach, Diplomático Rum, Chambord, Gin Mare, Fords Gin, Slane, Coopers’ Craft and many more high-recognition brands.
For our Retail Partners: please contact your local Columbia Distributing rep or office to learn more about Brown-Forman and updating your account orders. We’re excited to bring this amazing portfolio to you and your customers.
@brownforman @jackdaniels_us @woodfordreserve @herradurateq @eljimadortequila @newmixmx @oldforester @theglendronachofficial @benriach @diplomaticorum @chambordliqueur @ginmare @fordsgin @slanewhiskey @cooperscraft
We’re honored to announce starting August 1, 2025, we will begin distributing Brown-Forman’s portfolio in Washington.
This impressive portfolio includes: Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands, Woodford Reserve, Herradura, el Jimador, New Mix, Old Forester, The Glendronach, Glenglassaugh, Benriach, Diplomático Rum, Chambord, Gin Mare, Fords Gin, Slane, Coopers’ Craft and many more high-recognition brands.
For our Retail Partners: please contact your local Columbia Distributing rep or office to learn more about Brown-Forman and updating your account orders. We’re excited to bring this amazing portfolio to you and your customers.
@brownforman @jackdaniels_us @woodfordreserve @herradurateq @eljimadortequila @newmixmx @oldforester @theglendronachofficial @benriach @diplomaticorum @chambordliqueur @ginmare @fordsgin @slanewhiskey @cooperscraft
We recently held our annual Build a Better Burger competitions with Sutter Home Wines. It’s a great way to enjoy the Spring while gathering great grill inspiration for Memorial Day Weekend and beyond. 🍔🍷
🏆 Amazing work by all teams who participated this year – incredible creativity with the burgers, side dishes, desserts, and wine cocktails based on this year’s theme – and thank you to the judges!
Todd’s 3 Sutter Home recommendations:
👉 Chardonnay: The fresh aromas of ripe pear and zesty citrus lead to creamy peach and juicy apple flavors on the palate. It’s a luxurious experience from the first refreshing sip to the full, lingering finish.
👉 Cabernet Sauvignon: Black cherry, dark fruit & cedar box aromas with slight spice and chocolate nuances. Flavors of currant with notes of spices and herbs, and dark licorice.
👉 Merlot: Ripe black cherry aromas with hints of tobacco and herbal spice lead to smoky black cherry and spiced plum flavors on the palate, and a plush, lingering finish. Medium-bodied with soft tannins and a round mouthfeel.
🍷 We hope you and your friends and family enjoy getting creative with your own Build a Better Burger competition! You can find Sutter Home wines throughout Oregon and Washington. Please visit their site’s wine locator to find it locally.
#columbiadistributing #sutterhome #sutterhomewines #buildabetterburger #grillingseason #winecocktails
@sutterhomewines @tfewines
We recently held our annual Build a Better Burger competitions with Sutter Home Wines. It’s a great way to enjoy the Spring while gathering great grill inspiration for Memorial Day Weekend and beyond. 🍔🍷
🏆 Amazing work by all teams who participated this year – incredible creativity with the burgers, side dishes, desserts, and wine cocktails based on this year’s theme – and thank you to the judges!
Todd’s 3 Sutter Home recommendations:
👉 Chardonnay: The fresh aromas of ripe pear and zesty citrus lead to creamy peach and juicy apple flavors on the palate. It’s a luxurious experience from the first refreshing sip to the full, lingering finish.
👉 Cabernet Sauvignon: Black cherry, dark fruit & cedar box aromas with slight spice and chocolate nuances. Flavors of currant with notes of spices and herbs, and dark licorice.
👉 Merlot: Ripe black cherry aromas with hints of tobacco and herbal spice lead to smoky black cherry and spiced plum flavors on the palate, and a plush, lingering finish. Medium-bodied with soft tannins and a round mouthfeel.
🍷 We hope you and your friends and family enjoy getting creative with your own Build a Better Burger competition! You can find Sutter Home wines throughout Oregon and Washington. Please visit their site’s wine locator to find it locally.
#columbiadistributing #sutterhome #sutterhomewines #buildabetterburger #grillingseason #winecocktails
@sutterhomewines @tfewines
Which means you can kick back tonight 🍻
🍺 Pabst Light
✏️ “America’s Quality Light Beer.” ABV: 4.2%
We proudly distribute Pabst products throughout Oregon and Washington. Find it locally by using their site’s beer finder.
#columbiadistributing #pabstlight #pabstblueribbon #parentlife @pabstlight @pabstblueribbon
Which means you can kick back tonight 🍻
🍺 Pabst Light
✏️ “America’s Quality Light Beer.” ABV: 4.2%
We proudly distribute Pabst products throughout Oregon and Washington. Find it locally by using their site’s beer finder.
#columbiadistributing #pabstlight #pabstblueribbon #parentlife @pabstlight @pabstblueribbon