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.
Spritz Sunday Scaries away
🍊 Straightaway Cocktails Seville Wine Spritz
✏️ “Regionally sourced wine mingles with our house made botanical blend of Seville orange and citron peel, orange blossom, and gentian root – for an effervescent cocktail that transports you to a lush Mediterranean oasis.’ ABV: 8%
Visit @columbiadist_or to learn about their Cascade Spritz.
We proudly distribute Straightaway products throughout Oregon and Washington. Find them locally by using their site’s product finder.
#columbiadistributing #straightawaycocktails #cannedcocktails #rtdcocktails @straightawaycocktails
Spritz Sunday Scaries away
🍊 Straightaway Cocktails Seville Wine Spritz
✏️ “Regionally sourced wine mingles with our house made botanical blend of Seville orange and citron peel, orange blossom, and gentian root – for an effervescent cocktail that transports you to a lush Mediterranean oasis.’ ABV: 8%
Visit @columbiadist_or to learn about their Cascade Spritz.
We proudly distribute Straightaway products throughout Oregon and Washington. Find them locally by using their site’s product finder.
#columbiadistributing #straightawaycocktails #cannedcocktails #rtdcocktails @straightawaycocktails
ICYMI 🚨NEW product in the cooler just in time for Memorial Day Weekend Prep: Lone River Lemonade Splash Hard Seltzer🚨
🍋 Lone River Lemonade Splash Variety Pack with Original, Blueberry, Hot Honey, and Prickly Pear
✏️ “The perfect hard seltzer to end a hot long day on the lake and enjoy with friends. It’s a zesty lemonade seltzer that’s low calorie, low sugar, and effervescently sparkling with refreshing flavor. Made with a splash of real lemon, a little fizz and a whole lotta flavor.” ABV: 4%
👉 Lone River also has variety packs of their Ranch Rita in Classic, Spicy, Mango, and Blood Orange; and Ranch Water Variety Pack, which also includes: Original, Blackberry, and Prickly Pear.
We proudly distribute Lone River products throughout Oregon and Washington. Find it locally by visiting their site’s product finder page.
#columbiadistributing #loneriverranchwater #ranchwater @ranchwater
ICYMI 🚨NEW product in the cooler just in time for Memorial Day Weekend Prep: Lone River Lemonade Splash Hard Seltzer🚨
🍋 Lone River Lemonade Splash Variety Pack with Original, Blueberry, Hot Honey, and Prickly Pear
✏️ “The perfect hard seltzer to end a hot long day on the lake and enjoy with friends. It’s a zesty lemonade seltzer that’s low calorie, low sugar, and effervescently sparkling with refreshing flavor. Made with a splash of real lemon, a little fizz and a whole lotta flavor.” ABV: 4%
👉 Lone River also has variety packs of their Ranch Rita in Classic, Spicy, Mango, and Blood Orange; and Ranch Water Variety Pack, which also includes: Original, Blackberry, and Prickly Pear.
We proudly distribute Lone River products throughout Oregon and Washington. Find it locally by visiting their site’s product finder page.
#columbiadistributing #loneriverranchwater #ranchwater @ranchwater
Stock up now for Memorial Day Weekend, graduation parties, reunions, and backyard visits with a favorite: Pink Lemonade.
🍋 Snapple Pink Lemonade
✏️ “She’s tart. She’s tangy. She’s lemony. She is the moment.” Available in 16 and 32oz.
🚛 We proudly distribute Snapple products throughout Oregon and Washington. Find it locally by using their site’s product locator.
#columbiadistributing #snapple @snapple
Stock up now for Memorial Day Weekend, graduation parties, reunions, and backyard visits with a favorite: Pink Lemonade.
🍋 Snapple Pink Lemonade
✏️ “She’s tart. She’s tangy. She’s lemony. She is the moment.” Available in 16 and 32oz.
🚛 We proudly distribute Snapple products throughout Oregon and Washington. Find it locally by using their site’s product locator.
#columbiadistributing #snapple @snapple
Cheers to the women who raised us, love us, and encourage us. We’re incredibly honored and fortunate to have you in our lives. 💐 Happy Mother’s Day 💐
Cheers to the women who raised us, love us, and encourage us. We’re incredibly honored and fortunate to have you in our lives. 💐 Happy Mother’s Day 💐