In the past few years, the rise of craft beer has been startling — in fact, the total number of breweries in the States rose by almost 20% from 2013 to 2014; signaling the growing popularity of the many types of flavor profiles. The market has been trying to meet the demand, and so marketing your craft brew has been easier if you do it by season. Continue reading…
A lot of people depend on their morning fix of caffeine to get the day started. For most, this comes in the form of a cup of coffee. In fact, many people may drink coffee throughout the day or even at night as a way to maintain their energy levels so that they can stay productive while at work.
However, coffee isn’t your only option. You can get the energy boost you need by enjoying wellness drinks or energy drinks, many of which also contain caffeine, the essential ingredient to an energy boost. The following are a few examples of wellness drinks and energy drinks that will have the same effect as coffee: Continue reading…
Nothing refreshes and soothes like tea — the second most popular beverage in the world, after water. From organic, to ready-to-drink varieties — tea’s benefits are far-reaching. All tea, except the herbal varieties, are derived from the camellia sinensis plant. Its five categories include white, green, oolong, herbal and black tea. Its history is intermingled with different cultures and global leaders. A look at tea’s history and benefits: Continue reading…
We all know that an ice cold beer is one of the best ways to cool down on a hot summer day (or night). However, sometimes you might be in the mood for a delicious ice cream treat as well. If this is the case, why not combine the two and enjoy an alcoholic ice cream treat?
Alcoholic ice cream treats have become all the rage in recent years, especially following the sudden burst of interest in craft beer and artisanal ice creams over the past decade. The following are just a few of the alcoholic ice cream treats that are available all over the country that you should try out this summer if given the chance: Continue reading…
Over the past decade or so, there has been a surge in the numbers of craft beer created by smaller independent breweries. Located in almost every corner of the United States, they have created a veritable paradise of beer flavors for the discerning connoisseur. While we hesitate at Columbia Distributing to name any one particular brand as the very best, we do recognize true quality when we see – and taste – it. Here are five of our favorites: Continue reading…
Different types of beers are better suited to different times of the year. For example, a thick stout beer is much better suited to the winter than it is to the summer. So what should you drink to stay cool now that the summer is here? Summer ales, of course!
The fact that a summer ale is perfect for the summer weather is kind of a no-brainer. It’s all in the name, after all. But what exactly makes a summer ale a “summer” ale? The main characteristic of a summer ale is a light and crisp taste. Breweries will get this taste by combining wheat and barley together. Every year, some of the best breweries in the world prepare new summer ales for the summer season. Continue reading…
A mimosa in the morning is that little bit of heaven that gives you an energy boost and a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Mimosas are a must-have for any brunch, but if you are a frequent brunch goer or mimosa drinker it can be easy to get a little bored with a classic mimosa. The great thing about mimosas is that they are easy to elevate, that classic orange flavor is easy to work with and compliments many other flavors.
Here’s our ideas for a mimosa for every taste: Continue reading…
While many tend to imagine plain ginger ale like Canada Dry, or typical mixed drinks with ginger beer when they think of ginger drinks, there are plenty of recipes that can bring out the nuances of this familiar spice.
Here are some unique alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages that can help expand your palate and give you some ideas about how to use ginger when you’re in the mood to throw it into the mix. Continue reading…
Iced teas are, perhaps surprisingly, a relatively new thing in the American consciousness. It’s only been a bit over a hundred years, after all, since the World’s Fair in St. Louis when Englishman Richard Blechynden served it up cold to the public. Today, the overwhelming majority of tea consumed by Americans is served iced. Here is a selection of some of the better options for iced tea on the market.
You might have heard about this by now – especially if you frequent the gym or watch fitness programs. Kombucha is a type of tea-inspired beverage that has quite a few superstar qualities. Composed of probiotics, fungi, fermented tea and natural sugars, it is advertised as being able to stave off certain cancers, supply your body with loads of natural energy without the impending crash, weight loss, and immune system fortification. It’s a non-alcoholic beverage for the most part, although the fermentation process can give it a slight alcoholic kick.
A true success story, Snapple was once a much smaller brand that found tremendous favor with the public; it is one of the most well-received cold ice teas on the market – ever. After just nine years of being out in the open, they were bought out and now form an essential part of the Dr. Pepper soft drink empire. A cool, refreshing sweet tea that comes in many delicious flavors such as Mango tea, Diet Peach, Snapple Apple, Green Tea and Orange Carrot.
Another brand that started small and flourished explosively in the past decade, Numi Organic Tea comes from all the regions of the world. The herbs that comprise this delectable beverage are grown in India, Africa, China, South America and other places. The brother and sister team are also very artistic, and design the packaging on the brand. You can find green teas, bottled teas, herbal teas, chocolate teas, turmeric teas and more – all carried by Columbia Distributing. An ice tea made of orange spice or white rose makes for an amazing summer day.
Although marketed as sparkling water, Yerbae is enhanced with white tea extract; you can just catch the fleeting scent of the water that’s also mixed with guarana seed and a bit of natural caffeine from the tea. It is a calorie-less drink that has all the qualities of spring water. Try the Lemon, Pomegranate Berry and Strawberry Kiwi flavors to avoid missing out. For best results, make sure they’re chilled.
For more than eight decades, the people at Columbia Distributing have believed that when it comes to beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic represent the best of both worlds. Our humble roots in the Pacific Northwest stretch back to the mid 1930s, which proves our long-time commitment to providing our cherished customers throughout Northern California, Oregon and Washington with their choice of successful brands of ice tea and other drinks.
The summer months these past few years have seemingly been hotter than usual, and the current one is shaping up to be the same. As connoisseurs of iced tea and cold draft beer, the people at Columbia Distributing know a thing or two about hydration in summer. With that said, we’ve compiled a list that should help you stay cool as the mercury rises.