Transform your regular old cocktail into something worthy of a photo by simply adding a garnish. Not only does garnishing make the drink look pretty, though. They can also be functional and help enhance the cocktail’s flavor, texture, or aroma. Here, Columbia Distributing, one of the country’s largest distributors of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, walks you through some unique cocktail garnish ideas to try.
The IBU scale makes categorizing the bitterness level in beer simpler. This system is extremely helpful when figuring out which type of beer is most appealing to a person’s palate. IBU stands for international bittering unit and is often found on craft beer labels and descriptions. Here, Columbia Distributing, a beverage distributor in Washington and Oregon, guides you through understanding the IBU of your beer.
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Style is not the only reason wine glasses come in unique shapes. While visual appeal is part of the design, it also serves a functional purpose. Here, Columbia Distributing, a beverage distributor in Washington and Oregon, outlines the different types of wine glasses and their related varietals.
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The Columbia Distributing location in Spokane, Washington, is small compared to others throughout the Pacific Northwest and northern California. That may be why Anna Galoosis is the only administrative assistant in the office, or maybe it’s because this powerhouse of activity takes care of so many duties. Continue reading…
As you’re drinking a delicious glass of your favorite beer, you may notice that while still refreshing, it tastes a little different from time to time. This may be directly correlated to the type of glass it is being served in.
Not all beer glasses are created the same. Some are designed specifically for certain varieties of beer, enhancing their flavors and creating a more enjoyable experience for the consumer. Here, Columbia Distributing outlines the different types of beer glasses and their appropriate uses.
Commonly referred to as a traditional pint glass, this type of glassware is a staple at restaurants and bars because of its incredible versatility. The pint glass is acceptable to use with most types of beers, ranging from ales and stouts to IPAs and lagers. The glass itself holds 16 oz., providing plenty of room for a standard can of beer. It features a tapered design with straight edges and a wide mouth, making it easy to clean and store after each use. Consider the American pint glass as an all-purpose glassware option due to its basic design. It neither enhances nor diminishes the taste of any beer you choose to enjoy with it.
Primarily intended to be paired with pilsner beers, these glasses can also be enjoyed with light beers such as blonde ales and lagers. The tall, slim, and slightly wider-at-the-mouth design makes pilsner glasses and the beer in them beautiful to look at. A few variations of the pilsner glass exist with some featuring a completely straight design and others including curves.
What makes this type of beer glass unique is its ability to showcase the beer’s clarity, golden hue, and carbonation. Much like a champagne glass, the narrow base encourages bubbles to rise to the top, while the wide mouth creates a desired foamy head. This process helps enhance the beer’s natural flavors and aroma.
Compatible with a wide range of beer types, a beer mug is an excellent glassware option for those who wish to keep their beer chilled. The mug features a strong and sturdy design with thick glass, providing it with excellent insulation. A round handle helps keep your hand away from the glass, preventing your body temperature from transferring to your beer, which will help it to remain cold. And thanks to its design, beer enthusiasts can place a beer mug in the freezer, enabling the beer to taste extra crisp without fear of breaking the glass.
Also referred to as a Belgian glass, this glassware option is ideal for stronger beers that possess ample amounts of hops, much like double stouts, Belgian beers, and other ales. It is easy to recognize this glass type with its rounded body placed on top of a small stern. With a rim that curves outward and a bowl that tapers at the top, this glass provides a foamy head that captures the brew’s aroma and enhances the consumer experience.
With a name that means “wheat” in German, it is not difficult to understand why this type of beer glass is generally used for serving wheat beers. Similar in design, Weizen glasses are often mistaken for pilsner glasses, with the difference being that Weizen glasses are slightly taller and hold more liquid. The curved profile helps trap sediment and yeast at the bottom of the glass, helping create that foamy head beer connoisseurs desire.
An IPA glass is a newer type of glassware that offers consumers a unique experience while they enjoy a hoppy beer. Equipped with a series of ridges toward the bottom of the glass, IPA glasses have a truly unmistakable design. While these ridges give the glass a distinctive appearance, they also serve an important purpose. They are meant to aerate your beer with each sip, helping to release harsher aromatics in the process. Some variations of this glass also feature etching on the bottom, designed to release carbonation and promote a steady stream of bubbles.
As one of the country’s largest malt beverage distributors specializing in delivering beer and other beverages to stores, restaurants, and event centers across the Pacific Northwest, Columbia Distributing strives to improve the experience for our clients and their consumers. For more information about us and the services we offer, contact us today.
One of the most enduring cocktails is the Manhattan. Although this fan-favorite alcoholic beverage originated sometime around the mid to late 1880s, consumers enjoy it just as much today as they did a hundred years ago. Like a lot of popular mixed drinks, the Manhattan has evolved. Here, Columbia Distributing details different Manhattan cocktail recipes for you to try.
Here at Columbia Distributing, we believe in the power of philanthropy. By partnering with charitable organizations, whether they’re international or located right here in our community, we know that we have the power to make a difference. “We’re always supporting different causes throughout the year, and we give well over half a million to charitable organizations throughout our service area of Oregon and Washington,” explains Lindsi Taylor, Director of Communications and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategy at Columbia Distributing. Continue reading…
When it comes to ice cream floats, most people use root beer for the liquid portion of this tasty treat. But, did you know there’s an alcoholic twist that can be just as good by dropping the scoops of ice cream into a glass of beer instead? From stouts to hefeweizens, there’s a wide variety of mouth-watering floats you can craft with different types of beer. With over 260 brands, Columbia Distributing is one of the largest beer distributors in the Pacific Northwest. Here, we serve up some recipes of tasty beer floats to try.
There’s nothing quite like a cold, refreshing pint from your favorite brand. But what gives it that flavor you love? The secret lies in the ingredients – namely the hops. There is a huge variety of beers on the market today that differ in flavor profile and aroma, and hops do more than contribute to the bitterness of the brew. Here, Columbia Distributing discusses the role hops play in the ingredient list and how they affect the taste of your beer. Continue reading…
There’s nothing quite like a cold, refreshing brew. While many beers are meant to be enjoyed fresh from the store, some may taste better over time. But what’s the best way to age these alcoholic beverages? Here, Columbia Distributing discusses some of our best tips and insights into this process. Continue reading…