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.

“As a Kentuckian and a long time fan of Buffalo Trace Distillery and Harlen Wheatley, there isn’t a bottle anywhere I’d rather have my name on. I’m proud of what we’ve made and excited to share it with you.” - Chris Stapleton

🥃 Traveller Whiskey
✏️ “Complex aromas of vanilla, aged fruit and buttery shortbread rounded off by caramel and a touch of oak. The palate has just a touch of sweetness, followed by spice, toasted nut and oak flavors, with a robust finish.”

We’re proud to distribute Traveller throughout Washington. Don’t see it on the shelves? Ask you local retailer to give us a call.

#ColumbiaDistributinng #TravellerWhiskey @travellerwhiskey @buffalotracedistillery

“As a Kentuckian and a long time fan of Buffalo Trace Distillery and Harlen Wheatley, there isn’t a bottle anywhere I’d rather have my name on. I’m proud of what we’ve made and excited to share it with you.” – Chris Stapleton

🥃 Traveller Whiskey
✏️ “Complex aromas of vanilla, aged fruit and buttery shortbread rounded off by caramel and a touch of oak. The palate has just a touch of sweetness, followed by spice, toasted nut and oak flavors, with a robust finish.”

We’re proud to distribute Traveller throughout Washington. Don’t see it on the shelves? Ask you local retailer to give us a call.

#ColumbiaDistributinng #TravellerWhiskey @travellerwhiskey @buffalotracedistillery

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“Here’s to the journey. Here’s to the destination. Here’s to the final final.” - Scott DeMartine 🖤

We set out to create La Casa Escapar Tequila in honor of our beloved colleague, Scott DeMartine, who passed away in 2018. 

Authentic and complex, this 100% blue weber agave tequila is crafted by expert distiller Armando Enrique Esparza Villalpando - and we’re both humbled and excited this will be part of Scott’s legacy. 

🥃 Escapar is currently available in two styles: Blanco and Reposado (more coming soon; the aging process requires patience)

🥃 Blanco: Lively and crisp, this blanco showcases herbal and floral notes with a touch a citrus and a smooth finish.

🥃 Reposado: Warm and complex, this reposado showcases notes of vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch with a touch of warm spice and a smooth and rich finish.

Columbia Distributing is proud to distribute Escapar throughout Washington and Oregon. If you’re interested in learning more and adding it to your order, please contact us!

#ColumbiaDistributing #EscaparTequila #Tequila #ComingSoon @escapartequila

“Here’s to the journey. Here’s to the destination. Here’s to the final final.” – Scott DeMartine 🖤

We set out to create La Casa Escapar Tequila in honor of our beloved colleague, Scott DeMartine, who passed away in 2018.

Authentic and complex, this 100% blue weber agave tequila is crafted by expert distiller Armando Enrique Esparza Villalpando – and we’re both humbled and excited this will be part of Scott’s legacy.

🥃 Escapar is currently available in two styles: Blanco and Reposado (more coming soon; the aging process requires patience)

🥃 Blanco: Lively and crisp, this blanco showcases herbal and floral notes with a touch a citrus and a smooth finish.

🥃 Reposado: Warm and complex, this reposado showcases notes of vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch with a touch of warm spice and a smooth and rich finish.

Columbia Distributing is proud to distribute Escapar throughout Washington and Oregon. If you’re interested in learning more and adding it to your order, please contact us!

#ColumbiaDistributing #EscaparTequila #Tequila #ComingSoon @escapartequila

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You’re welcome ☘️

🍺 Iron Horse Brewery Quilter’s Irish Death
✏️ “Quilter’s Irish Death is the namesake beer of Jim Quilter, Founder of Iron Horse Brewery. This malt focused brew – dark in color and deep in taste – defies those pesky style guidelines. This beer is a little bit extra, and will always be a dark, smooth ale.” ABV: 7.8% 

#ColumbiaDistributing #IronHorseBrewery #StPatricksDay @IronHorseBrewery

You’re welcome ☘️

🍺 Iron Horse Brewery Quilter’s Irish Death
✏️ “Quilter’s Irish Death is the namesake beer of Jim Quilter, Founder of Iron Horse Brewery. This malt focused brew – dark in color and deep in taste – defies those pesky style guidelines. This beer is a little bit extra, and will always be a dark, smooth ale.” ABV: 7.8%

#ColumbiaDistributing #IronHorseBrewery #StPatricksDay @IronHorseBrewery

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A little sweet. A little spice. And a pinch of summer. Just what a winter evening calls for.

🍺 Modelo Chelada Sandía Picante 
✏️ "Sandía Picante brings notes of juicy fruit flavor with a hint of spice. These are delivered in perfect balance thanks to a mix of refreshing watermelon flavor, a hint of chile, and authentic Mexican beer." ABV: 3.5%

#ColumbiaDistribbuting #Modelo #ModeloChelada #SweetAndSpicy @modelousa

A little sweet. A little spice. And a pinch of summer. Just what a winter evening calls for.

🍺 Modelo Chelada Sandía Picante
✏️ "Sandía Picante brings notes of juicy fruit flavor with a hint of spice. These are delivered in perfect balance thanks to a mix of refreshing watermelon flavor, a hint of chile, and authentic Mexican beer." ABV: 3.5%

#ColumbiaDistribbuting #Modelo #ModeloChelada #SweetAndSpicy @modelousa

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