The Importance of the Three-Tier System

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Beverage Warehouse – Columbia Distributing

 

How would you react if you walked into a liquor store and there were only a handful of different options to choose from, instead of hundreds? And what if you knew none of it was regulated? Would you still want to make a purchase? Maybe not.

Fortunately, that scenario is only hypothetical thanks to something called the three-tier system. The three-tier system governs the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages in a way that benefits customers, retailers and the local economy all at once. Continue reading…

Mixing Hot Chocolate Right for the Kids

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Kids with hot chocolate – Columbia Distributing

When the air outside is a bit chilly, nothing beats cozying up inside with a steaming mug of hot chocolate. If you usually enjoy traditional hot cocoa, why not try out some new fixings? Here’s how to mix hot chocolate right for the kids. Continue reading…

How to Choose a Wine Distributor That’s Best for You

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Worker In A Wine Store

There are many benefits to the three-tier system that governs the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages and mandates that these beverages must travel from producers to distributors and then to retailers before being made available for purchase by the public. However, due to this system, it’s incredibly important for wineries and retailers to choose the right distributor. Continue reading…

The Lost Art of the Hot Toddy

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Hot Toddy Tray – Columbia Distributing

When cold and flu season rears its head, many people turn to cough syrup and other over-the-counter remedies to find relief. However, did you know there’s a traditional drink that’s been consumed for over two centuries and is said to help alleviate cold symptoms? It’s called the hot toddy. Continue reading…

Best Beers for the Game

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Beer- Columbia Distributing

From dedicated football fans to devoted basketball enthusiasts to true American baseball supporters, picking a game-ready beer is not always an easy task. But at Columbia Distributing, we offer a large selection of domestic, imported and craft beer to suit any palate. Keep reading to learn which styles of beer are best for the big game. Continue reading…

Top 3 Recipes to Top Up Your Hot Chocolate

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Hot Chocolate--Columbia DistributingWhen it comes to spiked hot chocolate, recipes with liquor may come to mind. However, did you know that you can make a delicious cup of alcohol-infused hot chocolate using beer? While stouts work best in the following recipes, thanks to their roasted malt flavor profiles that taste of coffee or dark chocolate, you can experiment with other types of dark beer as well. Here are three delectable ways to serve up decadent hot chocolates that blend your love of beer with this timeless cold-weather beverage. Continue reading…

Fermented Strangeness: Weirdest Brews

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Fremont glass

Beer drinkers have been embracing microbrews since small, independent brewers began creating their unique hoptastic flavors in the early ’80s. Now referred to as craft beers, microbrews no longer make up a tiny segment of the beer industry. By the end of 2016, craft beer makers accounted for 5,234 of the 5,301 breweries in the U.S. While this is great for beer connoisseurs, craft brewers find themselves in a very competitive landscape. This makes it difficult for brewers to come up with a truly unique beer, so many strive for a little weirdness to grab consumers’ attention. If you’re looking for a slightly crazy concoction, consider one of these strange fermented brews. Continue reading…

7 Ciders and Beers to Keep You Warm

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While traditionalists will claim that distilled spirits are the only type of drink that can warm you, we beg to differ. In fact, we are firm believers in the “warming” value of ciders and beers. Here are eight of our favorites that prove the point: Continue reading…

All About Pumpkin Beers

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Pumpkin ale
Every year in October, people who love beer celebrate the fall season with festivals, food and fun centered around their favorite beverage.

Pumpkin is the flavor of the autumn season. The bright orange fruit finds its way into pies, coffees and a variety of other foods. Breweries are applying the trend to beer flavorings. When high-profile producers like Rogue and Samuel Adams join the movement, people start to take notice. Continue reading…

Craft Beer Ingredients by Season

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seasonal craft beer by Columbia Distributing

 

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…