Philanthropy with its charity partners is not new to Columbia Distributing. “We are a 90-year-old company, and everywhere we’ve done business, we have also given back to the community,” says Lindsi Taylor, director of corporate communications. The company also gives back to its employees and has awarded two $10,000 educational scholarships to dependents of full-time team members for the last four years.
Columbia Distributing distributes alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to retailers, restaurants, and bars throughout the Pacific Northwest and northern California. But what makes the company stand out from other employers? “Given everything that the world has thrown at us, it’s always been a good place to work,” says Jon-Paul “JP” Lafitte.
Good beer doesn’t happen by accident. Dedicated brewers orchestrate a complex combination of flavor notes and ingredients. As a beer aficionado, you then consider all the choices and select the styles and brands that suit your tastes. With this effort invested, there is one element that gets neglected. What do you really know about aging beer? Is aged beer different depending on whether it’s a sour, ale, stout, or IPA? How long does beer last in and out of the fridge? Continue reading…
Columbia Distributing is a company where employees are encouraged to pursue training opportunities and advance their skills. And within each job role is a chance for networking, mentoring, and career advice. Marlon Argueta found encouragement from within the company to apply for a new job, and that’s how he moved from his position as a driver to a routing analyst. Continue reading…
If you’ve gone out recently, chances are you’ve noticed patrons enjoying a concoction called hard seltzer. If you’ve never experienced one of these delicious beverages, you may be wondering, what is hard seltzer, anyway? At Columbia Distributing, it has always been within our vision and values to educate our customers on the products we carry, including hard seltzers. Here, we offer a guide to hard seltzers and suggest some of the top brands newcomers can try responsibly.
Known for their bitter and strong taste, India pale ales (IPAs) are a popular type of beer that emphasize hop flavors and aromas. They get their distinct characteristics from the hops used to brew them, which give them a citrusy undertone. On the scale of international bitter units (IBUs) – which can range from five (not bitter at all) to 120 (extremely bitter) – American IPAs tend to fall in the 55 to 70 range. Double IPAs can be as high as 100 IBUs. Finally, because of the variety of brewing methods, IPAs can contain higher levels of alcohol compared to other types of beer.
“If you’re the type of person who doesn’t like the same old monotonous work or the same thing every single day, then the beverage industry is definitely for you,” says Angela Warner, point of sale coordinator at Columbia Distributing in Yakima, Washington. “It’s ever-changing and nonstop. Right when you get used to something, it’s changing again, and you have the opportunity to learn something more.” Continue reading…
Josh Slighter is a sales representative for Columbia Distributing working out of the Everett, Washington, branch. The company provides alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to retailers, restaurants, and bars throughout the Pacific Northwest and northern California. With days that start at 5 a.m., Slighter runs sales for large chain grocery stores. Continue reading…
The next time it’s taco night in your home, don’t instantly reach for the traditional, salted-brim margarita. Instead, try a Mexican lager to compliment all the delicious flavors of your favorite tacos. With a vast selection of beers in our lineup, Columbia Distributing discusses some great Mexican lagers to pair with your tacos.
A true party favorite, punch is one of those beverages that can be modified with a variety of ingredients and still taste great. There are few standard punch recipes that you’ll find at almost any party, however, it’s well worth trying out a more unique recipe or two that’ll add a twist to your refreshment selection. At Columbia Distributing, we’ve found some unusual ingredient combinations that make for a stellar drink.
When you think of sweet tea, you probably imagine that sweet Southern favorite. But this take on that refreshment involves pineapple, which gives the drink gives a bold, new flavor profile that’s sure to be refreshing. Here’s what you’ll need:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine pineapple juice and sugar. Let the mixture boil for roughly 15 minutes or until it’s reduced by half. Remove it from the heat and allow it to cool. In a pitcher, combine unsweetened iced tea, lime juice, and pineapple mixture, as well as vodka if desired. Garnish with pineapple wedges and enjoy.
This beverage combines the sharpness of berries with the mellow sweetness of vanilla. The acidity of the berries does a great job of cutting through the sweetness of the punch. To make this beverage, stock up on the following ingredients:
In a large punch bowl, combine cran-raspberry juice, carbonated cranberry beverage, and vanilla extract. Add scoops of sorbet and garnish with frozen cranberries. Serve directly from the bowl and enjoy. If you want to add a little alcohol into the mix, reduce the vanilla extract to 1/2 tbsp and add 1/2 to 3/4 c of spiced vanilla rum.
Toast to a special occasion with Pink Ginger Lemonade and Champagne Slush Punch. While this drink requires a bit of preliminary work, the result is well worth the effort. Here’s what you’ll need:
A day ahead of time, prepare the slush. In a large, freezer-safe container, combine lemonade, ginger ale, and triple sec. Freeze the mixture overnight. Then, 20 minutes before serving, remove the slush mixture from the freezer. Allow it to sit for a few minutes before breaking it up with a wooden utensil.
At the time of your event, prepare the punch. Pour the slush mixture and champagne into a large punch bowl. Stir the punch until the slush is evenly distributed throughout. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and serve.
For more unusual and out-there party punch ideas, contact Columbia Distributing today. If you’re a business in the Pacific Northwest, ask us for information about the brands we supply that will keep your customers well-stocked on ingredients for their favorite beverages.