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.
Pineapple Sweet Tea Punch
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:
2 1/2 c unsweetened iced tea
1 c pineapple juice
1/2 c sugar
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
Pineapple wedges to garnish
Optional: 3/4 c vodka
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.
Cran-Raspberry-Vanilla Punch
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:
6 c cran-raspberry juice
6 c carbonated cranberry beverage
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 pt raspberry sorbet
Frozen cranberries to garnish
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.
Pink Ginger Lemonade and Champagne Slush Punch
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:
64 oz pink lemonade
2 L ginger ale
1 c triple sec
3 (750 mL) bottles of pink champagne
Fresh mint to garnish
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.
There are many ways to stay warm in chilly weather. One of the easiest – and tastiest – ways to do so is by cozying up with a big mug of hot chocolate. Hot cocoa tastes great with all sorts of ingredients and toppings, so you can customize this beverage to your liking. Here, Columbia Distributing describes a few hot chocolate recipes the whole family can enjoy.
If you’re a whiskey or bourbon lover, then you know that these liquors taste great, and go well with many different foods, for many different occasions. They’re also great on their own after a long day, or to toast a special occasion. But how much do you know about how these liquors are made? Columbia Distributing is a provider of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and we carry a wide variety of products and recognizable brands. Here, we describe the basics of how whiskey and bourbon are created.
Beer is an incredibly versatile beverage with a variety of recipes that appeal to many tastes. The vast selection is what makes beer the ideal candidate for seasonal drinks. Winter ale is a high-gravity brew that incorporates warming spices and other ingredients to give it a delicious holiday flavor. Providing alcoholic beverages to businesses all over the Pacific Northwest, Columbia Distributing has organized a list of the best gifts for the beer lover in your life.
If you’re looking for a delicious beverage with less sugar and a load of health benefits, then kombucha is the drink for you. Kombucha is a delicious fermented beverage made using green or black tea. Kombucha contains additional ingredients to enhance the flavor, making it a popular drink choice across the country. Here, Columbia Distributing describes a few of the things that make kombucha such an appealing beverage.
A Variety of Health Benefits
One of the biggest reasons so many people have come to love kombucha lies in the many health benefits it provides. These benefits are in large part due to the fermentation process used when manufacturing the beverage. A few healthy aspects of kombucha include:
Probiotics: Kombucha is loaded with probiotics, a well-known nutrient with positive effects on gut health. Probiotics are defined as good types of bacteria, and they assist with digestion while also bolstering the immune system. Probiotics are also great for the skin, fostering a healthy body inside and out.
Antioxidants: Kombucha is typically made with black or green tea, and because of this, it also contains antioxidants. These antioxidants help fight harmful cells and repair damaged tissue inside the body.
Acetic acid: While this drink delivers good bacteria into your system, it also works to clear out some of the bad. This is because kombucha has plenty of acetic acid, an antimicrobial that helps your body fight off harmful microbes. Acetic acid is also what gives the drink that subtle taste of vinegar.
Better Than Soda Pop
If you’re looking to kick your soda habit but still enjoy a flavorful, carbonated beverage, then kombucha is a great alternative. It delivers all the fizzy bubbles you’ve come to love in soda without the excessive amounts of sugar. When you start drinking kombucha, you’re not only ditching the sugars that make you feel bloated, you’re also actively feeding your body a wealth of nutrients that don’t exist in the typical soft drink. And if you’re worried that you’ll crave the sweetness of soda, don’t be. Although the basic ingredients used when making kombucha are usually the same, there are plenty of additional ingredients that can satisfy your sweet tooth.
Flavorful Assortments
The astonishing array of flavors that kombucha boasts is what many people love most about the drink. Because kombucha brewers from all over the country have their own methods and ingredients, consumers get to enjoy fizzy drinks that taste like apple cider and cinnamon or strawberry lemonade. The best part: you don’t even have to feel guilty about it. Oftentimes, these additional ingredients have many health advantages. So along with the flavor they lend to the drink, they also add to kombucha’s overall health benefits. If you’re feeling adventurous enough, you can even try making a batch at home that features a flavor profile all your own.
Find Kombucha and Much More at Columbia Distributing
Columbia Distributing proudly serves establishments across the Pacific Northwest with a wide variety of beverages. We deliver alcoholic and non-alcoholic assortments to businesses in California, Oregon, and Washington. To learn more about kombucha or any of the other drinks we carry, reach out to us today.
