Is your cooler ready for refresh as we transition into fall? Check out Lone River Beverage Company’s Ranch Water and Ranch Rita products. They recently updated its Ranch Water variety pack flavors, which now includes Blackberry (replacing Grapefruit).

Before we dive in: did you know Lone River Ranch Water was picked by NYT Wirecutter as the Best Hard Seltzer in 2024 based on a taste-test using their Original, Spicy, and Prickly Pear flavors.

Ranch Water: A Timeless Texan Cocktail

Ranch Water, a cocktail originally from Texas, is a simple cocktail that ranchers and cowboys alike enjoyed, made with tequila, lime juice, and sparkling water. Lone River captured it like lightening in a can and delivers a crisp, refreshing hard seltzer.

Lone River Ranch Water’s Variety 12-pack comes with four flavors:

• Original: Organic agave nectar and the taste of lime, it’s the perfect choice for those who appreciate classic refreshment. Also available in a single flavor 6- and 12-pack.
• Blackberry: Organic agave nectar, a delicious mix juicy blackberry, and a tart key lime finish. 
• Prickly Pear: Organic agave nectar, a taste of lime and the subtle sweetness of prickly pear juice from the cactus fruit.
• Spicy: Crafted with organic agave nectar, lime, and the subtle heat of muddled jalapeño; offering a tantalizing taste of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. Also available in a single flavor 6-pack.

The details: Lone River Ranch Water contains 80 calories, 0g of sugar, and 4% ABV per 12oz can serving.

The Ranch Rita Variety Pack: Touch of Sweet with a Pinch of Salt

As the name suggests, the Ranch Rita Variety Pack puts a delicious twist on original ranch water. Flavors in this variety pack include:

• Classic: tangy lime juice with hints of tequila spice and a lightly salty finish. Also available in a single flavor 6-pack.
• Spicy: zesty lime mixed with muddled jalapeño and a salty finish.
• Mango: juicy mango, tart lime, and a hint of tequila spice.
• Blood Orange: subtly sweet blood orange, bright lime, and balanced tequila spice.

The details: Lone River Ranch Rita contains 140 calories, 4g of sugar, and 5.8% ABV per 12oz can serving.

Learn More About Lone River Beverage Company Products

Lone River offers your customers a refreshing break from beers and RTD cocktails with a fresh, natural tasting hard seltzer option to enjoy while kicking back on crisp, fall days. For more information about Lone River Beverage Company’s product, contact us today.

 

Each February and September, Trinchero Family Estates hosts its Heritage Month to highlight its family of brands. This month we’re excited to feature the following seven wines – and a spirit.

Avissi Prosecco
The name “Avissi” comes from the delightful fizzy sound the bubbles make as they happily rise in the glass, which releases a gorgeous bouquet of delicate floral notes and fruity aromas. Inviting fresh fruit flavors lead to a clean crispness on the palate and refined finish, making it the perfect match for a wide variety of cuisines and occasions.

Ceretto Arneis Blange

Crisp and bright, vibrant acidity and enticing aromas of green apple, Bartlett pear, and orange blossom intertwined with subtle hints of almond, this wine will pair well with a wide variety of food and is lovely on its own, by-the-glass on any occasion.

Echo Bay Sauvignon Blanc

With bright, pure flavors and a fun-loving personality, Echo Bay contains the spectacular natural beauty of New Zealand’s South Island. Zesty citrus aromas lead to layers of passionfruit, grapefruit and gooseberry flavors, followed by a clean, refreshing finish. It’s exquisite on its own or paired with lighter fare.

Neyers Carneros District Chardonnay

The aromas are immediately attractive with a lemon/lime zest quality and the flavors beckon you in with their softness and intrigue. It’s medium-to full-bodied with bright acidity, spiced apple flavors, and a subtle toasty component.

San Polo Rubio

Rubio has a brilliant ruby red color with purple hues. Intensely fruity aromas, with notes of cherry, violet, and black currant, followed by spicy notes. The sensations of berries and cherries, typical of the variety, give it great drinkability, in addition to considerable intensity and elegance. It is perfect by the glass, thanks to its versatility, and ideal for outdoor barbecues.

Vitiano Blanco

Produced in Umbria, Italy, Falesco’s Vitiano Bianco beautifully merges freshness and structure. Floral aromas meld with green apple and citrus notes, delivering a wine that is both crisp and harmonious. It epitomizes Central Italy’s prowess in crafting expressive white wines.

Vitiano Rosso

The wine has an intense red color with violet reflections. The aroma has fruity notes in great balance with the sweetness of the wood. The taste is strong, round, pleasant with a rich and harmonic finish.

Tres Agaves Blanco Tequila

Ideal for sipping or mixing, with a pleasant taste and silky texture that combines vibrant and sweet agave aromas with supporting notes of citrus, wild mint, and pear, typical of the Tequila Valley terroir.

Learn More About Trinchero Family Estates

If you wish to learn more about the varieties of wines and spirits offered by Trinchero Family Estates, please contact us today. We’re very excited to share this family of incredible wines with you and your team.

If you’re an individual looking for a great wine to bring to an friend’s gathering, follow us on your favorite social media platform for ideas and insights: YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, or our Oregon feed or Washington feed on Instagram.

HopWTR is a non-alcoholic beverage that blends the refreshing qualities of sparkling water with the bold flavors of hops.

Overview

HopWTR was founded to provide a satisfying alternative that combines the crispness of sparkling water with the complex, hoppy flavors typically found in beers. This innovative approach caters to consumers who are looking for a flavorful, refreshing drink without the buzz.

Per HopWTR’s site, the blend includes adoptogens (ashwagagandha) to help moderate the body’s response to stress and nootropics (L-theanine) to help boost cognitive performance. Additionally hops have a natural calming effects thanks to their flavornoids and essential oils. It’s also packed with Vitamin C – and to make life all the sweeter, HopWTR is sugar free, keto and vegan friendly, and has zero calories.

Product Line and Flavor Profiles

HopWTR’s product line includes a variety of flavors, each infused with hops to deliver a distinctive taste experience. Available in 12oz cans.

Hop Flavored:

• Classic: packed with Citra, Amarillo, Mosaic and Azacca hops, delivering a piney, earthy flavor that reminds you of your favorite IPA.
• Double-Hopped: cold dry hopped and micro-filtered to deliver an extra bold and piney hop experience. Our OG blend was dry hopped with additional Mosaic hops to make it their hoppiest brew yet.

Fruit Flavored: all made with Citra, Amarillo, Mosaic and Azacca hops.

• Black Cherry
• Blood Orange
• Lemonade
• Lime
• Mango
• Peach
• Ruby Red Grapefruit

Variety Pack includes: Classic, Blood Orange, Mango, and Lime

Wondering what to stock in your cooler if you’re thinking about adding HopWTR to your portfolio? Start with the top three flavors in the PNW:

1. Ruby Red
2. Blood Orange
3. Peach

Each flavor is designed to be as versatile as it is delicious, making HopWTR a great choice for enjoying on its own or pairing with a meal.

Find HopWTR

HopWTR offers a sophisticated and satisfying alternative to traditional soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. It’s ideal for those who appreciate complex flavors, looking to reduce or skip alcohol consumption, or simply want a refreshing drink that stands out from the typical sparkling water options.

We proudly distribute HopWTR products throughout Oregon and Washington. Contact your local Columbia Distributing rep or office to add it to your portfolio or menu.

After spending seven years conducting research and development, Jason Momoa and Blaine Halverson, launched Meili (MAY-lee) Vodka in 2023. It’s a premium spirit known for its exceptional quality and a refined flavor, allowing it not only to be used in a cocktail but also sipped neat.

Origins and Production

With sustainability in mind, and being conscious of its carbon footprint, Meili Vodka is crafted using local grains and pure water from an ancient aquifer in Montana. And its only distilled once, incredibly unique for a vodka, however it results in its smooth, clean taste.

“It’s this beautiful water source that comes off this limestone shelf – 300-million-year-old aquifer. It looked like Avatar – I had never seen so much life at a water source, where there’s snow everywhere. We come to find what makes it so special is that there’s no sodium in that water. The salt is really what takes away some of the notes that you taste in that from our grains, and it’s high in calcium and sulfur. That’s what gives it that unique taste.” Jason Momoa

The bottles are 100% post-consumer recycled glass, meaning no two are the same. And in 2024 the bottles will be made in the USA, meaning Meili’s entire production will be US-based.

Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

Meili Vodka is celebrated for its subtle vanilla notes and a hint of citrus and peppery spiciness, making it incredibly versatile. If not enjoying neat (suggestion: enjoy it room temperature), a popular choice is the classic with a Meili inspired name called Tana Mule:

**Ingredients:

•  2 ounces Meili Vodka
•  1/2-ounce lime juice (freshly squeezed)
•  4 ounces ginger beer
•  Ice
•  Lime wedge and mint sprig (for garnish)

**Instructions:

1. Fill a copper mug with ice.
2. Add Meili Vodka and lime juice.
3. Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge and a mint sprig.

The Tana Mule combines Meili Vodka’s crispness with the spicy kick of ginger beer and the tang of lime, offering a refreshing experience that highlights the vodka’s smoothness. During its launch tour, bartenders opted to use Meili in margaritas, instead of tequila, to highlight its unique flavor profile.

Add Meili Vodka to Your Portfolio Today

With its growing popularity, and winning gold in several vodka and spirits world competitions, Meile Vodka continues to shine in the liquor market. Wish to learn more about Meili and our spirits portfolio? Contact your local Columbia Distributing rep or local office in Washington today.

Canned cocktails – also known as ready-to-drink (RTDs) cocktails – are a popular choice with consumers, thanks to being a convenient option no matter the activity. RTD cocktails allow consumers to not worry about stocking the bar cart, pre-mixing cocktails, or having to track multiple spirits and mixers when heading out for a picnic, tailgating, or other activity. It’s simply grab-and-go.

Need a little more convincing? A 2023 study by USD Analytics Research found “the global Canned Cocktails Market is one of the lucrative growth markets, poised to register a 17.6% growth (CAGR) between 2024 and 2030.”

Let Us Introduce You to Craftwell Cocktails

Craftwell Cocktails was created by 2 Town Ciderhouse, an award-winning cidery based in Corvallis, OR. Thanks to their deep knowledge and experience of crafting innovative ciders, the team experimented with various fruits and the fermentation process.

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May marks the celebration of Oregon Wine Month, a time to raise a glass and toast to the exceptional wines produced right here in Oregon. Known for its diverse terroir, cool climate, and passionate winemakers, the state has emerged as a premier wine region thanks to its 23 American Viticulture Areas (AVAs).

As wine enthusiasts from around the globe turn their attention to Oregon, let’s take a closer look at some notable wineries and wines embodying the spirit of this month.

Primarius Wines

With a focus on showcasing the best of Oregon’s terroir, Primarius Wines produces a portfolio of elegant and approachable wines capturing the PNW essence. From their flagship Pinot Noir to their vibrant Pinot Gris, Primarius Wines’ winemaker, Sarah Cabot, exemplifies the craftsmanship and quality that have made Oregon’s wines world-renowned.

Del Rio Vineyards

Situated in Gold Hill along southern Oregon’s picturesque Rogue Valley, Del Rio Vineyards is a family-owned winery renowned for its award-winning wines and stunning vineyard vistas. With a focus on sustainability and stewardship of the land, Del Rio Vineyards produces a diverse range of varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Viognier, as well as classic Oregonian varietals like Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Del also includes the Jolee and Rock Point labels.

Joel Gott

Renowned for their commitment to sourcing exceptional grapes from top vineyard sites, Joel Gott Wines offers two Oregon-based wines showcasing the state’s diverse terroir and winemaking potential. A crisp and aromatic Pinot Gris and a lush and velvety Pinot Noir, these wines offer a taste of the PNW with every sip.

As Oregon Wine Month unfolds, it’s a great time to explore the rich tapestry of Oregonian wines. Whether sitting on the porch with a glass of Pinot Noir from Primarius or celebrating with Jolee Wines’ Pinot Gris Semi Sparkling Blanc, Oregon Wine Month invites us to celebrate the vibrant diversity and unparalleled quality of Oregon’s wine country. Cheers to Oregon Wine Month and its amazing wines!

Discover Oregon Wines at Columbia Distributing

We proudly distribute Oregon wines across Oregon and Washington. To learn more about what we offer or how to best pair these wines with your current food or beverage menus, contact us today.

In craft brewing’s evolving landscape, a new player emerged championing both exceptional taste and a steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability: Athletic Brewing Company. Founded in 2017 by Bill Shufelt and John Walker, Athletic has rapidly carved out a niche in the industry with its innovative non-alcoholic brews, while also setting a high standard as a certified B-Corporation.

Athletic Brewing is dedicated to crafting delicious, high-quality, non-alcoholic beers for both seasoned beer enthusiasts and those looking for an alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages. Their brews undergo a meticulous brewing process to ensure the retention of flavor and complexity without the presence of alcohol; all beers are less than 0.5% ABV.

The Top Selling Beers

From hop-forward IPAs to rich stouts, Athletic Brewing offers a diverse range of options. Here are their three top-selling NA beers in Oregon and Washington:

• Upside Dawn Golden Ale: Classic craft Golden style. Refreshing, clean, balanced, and light-bodied. Subtle earthy and spicy notes are balanced with citrusy aromas. Brewed with premium Vienna Malt along with a combination of English and American hops.
• Run Wild IPA: the ultimate sessionable IPA for craft beer lovers. Brewed with a blend of five Northwest hops, it has an approachable bitterness to balance the specialty malt body. Always refreshing and only 65 calories.
• Free Wave Hazy IPA: a hugely hoppy hazy IPA with a juicy body and velvety pour. A trio of Amarillo, Citra and Mosaic hops generate bodacious aromatics of tangerine and grapefruit. Notes of pine and florals emerge in the secondary palate for an herbaceous reprieve in all the right places. It’s luscious, smooth, and highly aromatic.

Together, these top-selling beers showcase Athletic’s devotion to innovation and excellence, earning them a loyal following among consumers seeking flavorful alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages.

Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship

However, what truly sets Athletic Brewing apart is its unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. As a certified B-Corporation, the company has undergone rigorous assessment to demonstrate its dedication to balancing profit with purpose. With over 3,000 B-Corps in more than 150 industries, Athletic stands out as a shining example of how businesses can prioritize social and environmental impact alongside financial success.

Their sustainability efforts lies in its brewing practices. The company places a strong emphasis on conservation of resources, utilizing cutting-edge technology and techniques to minimize water usage and waste generation throughout the brewing process. By implementing closed-loop systems and investing in energy-efficient equipment, Athletic strives to reduce its environmental footprint while maintaining the highest standards of quality and efficiency.

Two for the Trails

In addition to operational efforts, Athletic actively engages with the community to promote environmental awareness and conservation. Through its Two for the Trails program, it partners with environmental organizations nationwide on conservation initiatives to protect and restore trails. By leveraging its platform and influence, Athletic amplifies the message of environmental stewardship and encourages others to join in the effort to protect our planet.

Cheers to the Future

Looking ahead, Athletic Brewing remains steadfast in its commitment to driving positive change within the craft brewing industry and beyond. As consumer demand for sustainable products from community-minded companies continues to grow, Athletic sets a new standard for what it means to be a socially and environmentally conscious business in the 21st century.

As we toast to a brighter future, let us raise a glass to Athletic Brewing and the positive impact they continue to make on our planet and our communities.

Add Athletic to Your Cooler

We proudly distribute Athletic Brewing’s products throughout Oregon and Washington. Contact your local Columbia Distributing rep or main office to learn more. We’re happy to help you find the perfect selection for your customers.

Can’t find Athletic Brewing beers at your local PNW beverage retailer? Ask them to give us a call and add it to their next order!

Released in January 2024, Traveller Whiskey is a collaboration between Buffalo Trace’s Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley and Grammy-winning country singer Chris Stapleton.

After trying over 50 blends, they settled on #40, hence “Blend No. 40” on the bottle’s label. As for its taste: “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.”

Hailing from Lexington, KY, nearby the Buffalo Trace Distillery, and later moving to Nashville, Stapleton recorded his first studio album, Traveller. During that session he was introduced to E.H. Taylor, one of the Distillery’s other whiskeys, and a relationship was formed between Stapleton and Buffalo Trace. Over years, the distillery has collaborated with the Stapleton’s charitable fund, Outlaw State of Kind, for various fundraising initiatives with many based throughout Kentucky and Tennessee.

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Introducing our new article series: In The Cooler, where we share insights about our hottest brands.

Modelo Especial was first brewed by Grupo Modelo in 1925 in Tacuba, a northwest neighborhood in Mexico City. Within a few years, it was mainly introduced to the US during Prohibition, when people would cross the border to drink alcohol.

Fast forward a 100 years later: Modelo is still brewed in Mexico and imported into the United States by Constellation Brands – which includes Corona and Pacifico.

While extremely popular in Mexico, Modelo Especial didn’t enter the US market until 1990. Since 2018, it has been a top imported beer in the US and a top-five beer brand, showing consistent year-over-year growth. In June 2023, it became the best-selling beer in the US.

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19 Crimes, released in 2012 and housed by Melbourne-based Treasury Wine Estates, refers to the number of crimes used to exile convicts from Britain to Australia between 1787 and 1868. The convicts that survived the journey, were often ordered to forge a life in Australia as pioneers and others escaped to America.

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