Whether you are relaxing on a boat or at a winter ski resort, there are few things more refreshing than cracking open a cold beer. No matter the season, we all enjoy relaxing with our favorite brews. Craft beer enthusiasts have more choices than ever, which means brewers need to go above and beyond consumer expectations to stand out in the crowd. Did you know the beer you produce tells customers a lot about your brewery’s personality? Here, Columbia Distributing reviews several different types of beer and what they might be telling your customers about you.

Pale Ale

Pale ale drinkers love trying new things and experimenting with different flavors. These adventuresome consumers enjoy discovering unique breweries and are often social butterflies. While the pale ale category is very unpredictable and encompasses a wide array of flavors and ingredients, the beer is known for its bitter taste and different combinations of hops. Fans of the category appreciate the robust flavors of pale ales, and if your brewery produces this type of beer, drinkers can safely assume they’re in for an enjoyable experience.  

Porter

For porter drinkers, fall is likely their favorite season, and flannel might be their favorite shirt of choice. Porters are at the darker end of the beer spectrum and often contain strong, earthy undertones of nuts, coffee, and caramel. There are few other types of beer better for enjoying a cool autumn evening. As a brewer of porters, don’t be surprised if you attract consumers who enjoy spending time outdoors and savor the little things in life, as they’re likely assuming your brand loves to do the same.  

Lager

Lagers are known for their easy drinkability and light color, and their fans are calm, collected, and have a level head on their shoulders. They are comfortable with not being the center of attention, and it doesn’t upset them to leave the party early. Lager drinkers are also extremely loyal to their brand of choice, so if they choose your brewery, you must be doing something right.

Light/Low-Calorie

A low-calorie beer is made by adding less of the high-calorie stuff and more water to the brew. Most beers have around 150 calories, but a light beer usually has well under 100 calories. Many low-calorie beer drinkers are highly self-disciplined, goal-oriented, and might be fitness junkies who love hiking, biking, and running. When they choose your brewery’s light or low-calorie beer, they know your brew will allow them to get out, have a good time with friends, and not get in the way of what they want to accomplish. 

Ready to Stand Out in the Crowd?

In today’s crowded craft beer industry, brewers need to do more than ever to distinguish themselves from the competition. Knowing your target audience and what their preferences are is a key step to the success of your business. And as you can see, the type of beer you brew can tell your customers a lot about who you are. At Columbia Distributing, the Northwest’s premier beverage distributor, we pride ourselves in connecting businesses and consumers. If you would like to learn more about how Columbia Distributing can help you, please contact us today and view our extensive online inventory of craft beers.

Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie – we all love a traditional Thanksgiving Day feast. But let’s face it: Thanksgiving wouldn’t be quite as memorable without a special holiday beverage. High in antioxidants and considered by many as superfoods, cranberries and cranberry juice are healthy additions to any cocktail. Here, Columbia Distributing reviews some of the most delicious cranberry cocktails for you to enjoy this Thanksgiving.

Cranberry Orange Mimosa

If you like to get the Thanksgiving Day festivities started before noon, this could be the drink for you. Mimosas are known for being light, refreshing, and containing high levels of vitamin C in the form of orange juice. It’s that high vitamin C that makes mimosas an acceptable choice for mid-morning consumption.

The traditional mimosa is made from just two ingredients: orange juice and champagne. For the Thanksgiving version, only three ingredients are needed: orange juice, cranberry juice, and champagne (or prosecco). Combining the ingredients at two parts orange juice, two parts cranberry juice, and one part champagne or prosecco is a good place to start.

Cranberry Apple Old Fashioned

The cranberry apple old fashioned should be on your Thanksgiving Day beverage menu if there are any fans of whiskey in your family. This holiday version of the timeless cocktail includes whiskey, cranberry juice, sugar, and apple aromatic bitters, and it’s the perfect cocktail to enjoy around the fire after Thanksgiving dinner. To prepare the cranberry apple old fashioned, follow these steps:

1. Combine cranberry juice, one sugar cube, and apple aromatic bitters in a whiskey glass.
2. Add several ice cubes.
3. Pour whiskey over the ice.
4. Add cranberries to garnish and enjoy!

Cranberry Sparkler

This Thanksgiving Day version of the popular vodka and club soda cocktail is both festive and easy to make. The cranberry sparkler is made using one part vodka, one part club soda, and one part cranberry juice. To prepare the cocktail, grab a glass and fill it with ice. Next, add the vodka, top with club soda, and splash some cranberry juice on top. Garnish with cranberries and a pinch of cinnamon for an extra holiday effect.

Thanksgiving Mule

The Thanksgiving mule is a fresh take on the famous Moscow Mule, which usually contains ginger beer, vodka, and lime juice. The Thanksgiving mule instead uses sparkling apple juice, cranberry juice, ginger beer, and vodka. This makes for a bubbly and festive cocktail that contains all the flavors of fall. The best part about the Thanksgiving mule is that it can be prepared ahead of time in pitchers for large parties.

Are You Ready to Make Thanksgiving Memorable?

While the Thanksgiving Day feast gets all the attention, we can all see why a special holiday-themed cocktail takes the pie. Why not make your Thanksgiving Day special this year by starting a new tradition with one of the above recipes? As the Northwest’s premier beverage distributor, Columbia Distributing has everything you need to make your Thanksgiving Day cocktails memorable. If you are interested in purchasing quality products at competitive prices, please contact us today and view our extensive online inventory.

For thousands of years, wine has been the beverage of choice for social gatherings and celebrations. Raising your glass and making a toast to the ones you love is one of our deepest traditions and the reason wine can be found just about anywhere beverages are sold. Despite its history as a celebratory indulgence, many people today are consuming wine for its health benefits, such as helping to lower blood pressure and combating chronic inflammation. Continue reading…

The United States, especially the West Coast, is known for its wonderful and varied list of craft breweries, as well as its iconic international brands. However, there is just as much variety to try out from breweries abroad, too. There are thousands of unique brews to sample, and you can even get a taste of some of the original old-world recipes that your American favorites are based on. Here, Columbia Distributing brings you an eclectic list of imported beers from all around the globe to inspire you to try something new. Continue reading…

Beers, wines, and liquors aren’t for everyone. If you’re part of the crowd that prefers a refreshingly sweet yet light-bodied beverage, try a malternative. Columbia Distributing offers alcoholic malt beverages throughout the Northwest and introduces some of the most popular malternatives to try here.

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There are few cocktails as well-known and loved as the Bloody Mary. This traditional beverage is hailed as the perfect hangover cure and a low-alcohol alternative, and it even has its own holiday on January 1. But where does it come from, and how did it become so popular? Here, Columbia Distributing, a popular Northwest beverage distributor, offers a brief look at the history of the Bloody Mary.

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Pineapple juice. It’s a staple of tropical mixed drinks, but have you ever enjoyed a tall glass of pineapple juice the way you might drink down a glass of orange juice? There are several reasons why you might want to consider adding this delicious beverage to your breakfast routine or even just have a glass now and then. If that’s not your style, then mixing up pineapple juice with other ingredients found at your local retailers thanks to Columbia Distributing, the Northwest’s premier beverage distributor, is a good start. Here’s a look at the many pineapple juice benefits you can start enjoying today.

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Right about now, a tropical vacation on a warm, sunny beach sounds like a dream come true. But, let’s face it, jetting off to an island somewhere in the tropics might not be in the cards for a variety of reasons. At Columbia Distributing, the premier Northwest beverage distributor, we deliver your favorite alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and mixers to local retailers and restaurants so you can enjoy tropical drinks that will carry you away to a beachy destination, if only in your imagination. Here are some of our favorite recipes to help you serve it up, island style.

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Wine and cheese go together like bacon and eggs or coffee and cream, but that doesn’t mean everyone knows the best wine and cheese pairings. Picking the right wine to go with your cheese, or vice versa, can be daunting for beginners. At Columbia Distributing, your Northwest beverage distributor, we believe everyone should have access to this knowledge so that no matter who you are, you can experience the joy that comes from the perfect pairing of wine and cheese. Here is what you need to know to get started with this age-old tradition.

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