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.
It’s time for your mid-morning coffee break. #NationalCoffeeDay
☕️ Black Rifle Coffee Company
✏️ "We are a Veteran-founded business operated by principled men and women who honor those who protect, defend, and support our country… A large part of Black Rifle Coffee Company`s success is due to the outstanding work ethic and discipline of our Veteran employees. As we grow, we`re committed to hiring 10,000 Veterans to provide opportunities to the military community that helped build us."
#ColumbiaDistributing #BRCC #BlackRifleCoffeeCo #VeteranFounded @blackriflecoffee
It’s time for your mid-morning coffee break. #NationalCoffeeDay
☕️ Black Rifle Coffee Company
✏️ "We are a Veteran-founded business operated by principled men and women who honor those who protect, defend, and support our country… A large part of Black Rifle Coffee Company`s success is due to the outstanding work ethic and discipline of our Veteran employees. As we grow, we`re committed to hiring 10,000 Veterans to provide opportunities to the military community that helped build us."
#ColumbiaDistributing #BRCC #BlackRifleCoffeeCo #VeteranFounded @blackriflecoffee
Missed the weekend’s festivities? We got you. 🍻 Pick up one – or a few – of these and celebrate Oktoberfest all week long. (Steins optional)
Images via: @athleticbrewing @dru_bru @firestonewalker @hacker_pschorr @hofbrauusa @paulanerusa @pfriembeer @sierranevada @silvercitybrewery @warsteinerusa
Missed the weekend’s festivities? We got you. 🍻 Pick up one – or a few – of these and celebrate Oktoberfest all week long. (Steins optional)
Images via: @athleticbrewing @dru_bru @firestonewalker @hacker_pschorr @hofbrauusa @paulanerusa @pfriembeer @sierranevada @silvercitybrewery @warsteinerusa
Let it breathe while you take a breath.
🍷 Poggio San Polo Rubio Sangiovese (Tuscany, Italy)
✏️ “Brilliant ruby red in color, with purplish glints. The bouquet is intense and persistent with fresh aromas of red cherries, violets and blackcurrants, followed by subtle spicy notes.”
#columbiadistributing #trincherofamilyestates #redwine #winewednesday #heritagemonth
Let it breathe while you take a breath.
🍷 Poggio San Polo Rubio Sangiovese (Tuscany, Italy)
✏️ “Brilliant ruby red in color, with purplish glints. The bouquet is intense and persistent with fresh aromas of red cherries, violets and blackcurrants, followed by subtle spicy notes.”
#columbiadistributing #trincherofamilyestates #redwine #winewednesday #heritagemonth
Keeping it easy like Sunday morning throughout Negroni Week.
🥃 Straightaway Negroni
✏️ "The Negroni was invented by Camillo Negroni, an Italian dignitary disguised as an American cowboy. Legend has it that the ‘cowboy’ needed a stiffer drink than Italy’s beloved apertif, and with a splash of gin the Negroni was conceived. Its brambly bite softens to reveal a balanced civility that will satisfy any drinker of discerning taste." ABV: 36%
Available in 750 mL bottle, 100 mL can, and as a spritz made with sparkling pinot gris.
📷 @straightawaycocktails
#ColumbiaDistributing #StraightawayCocktails #NegroniWeek #NegroniCocktail
Keeping it easy like Sunday morning throughout Negroni Week.
🥃 Straightaway Negroni
✏️ "The Negroni was invented by Camillo Negroni, an Italian dignitary disguised as an American cowboy. Legend has it that the ‘cowboy’ needed a stiffer drink than Italy’s beloved apertif, and with a splash of gin the Negroni was conceived. Its brambly bite softens to reveal a balanced civility that will satisfy any drinker of discerning taste." ABV: 36%
Available in 750 mL bottle, 100 mL can, and as a spritz made with sparkling pinot gris.
📷 @straightawaycocktails
#ColumbiaDistributing #StraightawayCocktails #NegroniWeek #NegroniCocktail