This annual celebration is the perfect opportunity to highlight the craftsmanship of innovative cideries and hard cider brands. Learn about various hard cider options carried in Oregon and Washington by Columbia Distributing.

2 Towns Ciderhouse (Oregon)

Founded in 2010, 2 Towns Ciderhouse is well-known for producing high-quality products made from 100% fresh-pressed Northwest apples, sourced exclusively from local Oregon and Washington farms. The independently owned and operated hard cider beverage manufacturer continues to develop and evolve its operation in innovative ways to produce premium products, such as:

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Fall is the perfect time of the year to sample whiskeys as the days get cooler. Columbia Distributing’s Wine & Spirits Team shares their recommendations for whiskeys to sample this upcoming autumn season.

2BAR

More than a century ago the Kaiser family settled in South Texas and established the 2BAR Ranch. Since then, five generations of Kaisers have ranched the land under the 2BAR brand. In 2012, Nathan Kaiser opened 2BAR Spirits in Seattle. And it’s one of two distilleries that’s entirely grain-to-glass, meaning everything from milling the grain through bottling is done on-site.

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BuzzBallz is reinventing happy hour with fun, innovative cocktails for folks to enjoy. With a unique look and great taste, BuzzBallz products make it easy to host – toss them in an ice-filled container or in the fridge – at parties, tailgating, and any other gathering, large or small. Guests can easily grab their favorite, give it a shake, and enjoy (glassware optional).

Need a little more convincing? BuzzBallz is the #1 selling single-serving, ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail brand (187mL-200mL) *  – and continues to gain popularity.

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Columbia Distributing is proud to be recognized as a premier beverage distributor, supplying top brands to retailers throughout Oregon and Washington. We’ve earned our outstanding reputation through the hard work and dedication of our employees, like delivery driver Darrell McCoy. This role is vital to the success of Columbia Distributing and its partners. Here, McCoy details what makes working here special.

The Role of a Delivery Driver at Columbia Distributing

Columbia Distributing leans on the roles of several individuals, who all play a part in providing the premium quality service we’re known for. Among the most pivotal roles at the company is that of delivery driver. Our business partners rely on our drivers so they can continue operating efficiently and meet their goals.

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Twisted Tea is known for brewing refreshing iced tea with a twist. After experimenting to find the perfect combination of natural flavors, select teas, and fun, Twisted Tea boasts an expansive lineup of alcoholic teas satisfying tastebuds and are a great addition to any occasion.

Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea

Twisted Tea is a malt-based, non-carbonated beverage made with real brewed tea and natural flavors. It has some caffeine (30mg) due to the type of tea leaves used, but much less than the average  cup of coffee (100mg).

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Is your cooler ready for refresh as we transition into fall? Check out Lone River Beverage Company’s Ranch Water and Ranch Rita products. They recently updated its Ranch Water variety pack flavors, which now includes Blackberry (replacing Grapefruit).

Before we dive in: did you know Lone River Ranch Water was picked by NYT Wirecutter as the Best Hard Seltzer in 2024 based on a taste-test using their Original, Spicy, and Prickly Pear flavors.

Ranch Water: A Timeless Texan Cocktail

Ranch Water, a cocktail originally from Texas, is a simple cocktail that ranchers and cowboys alike enjoyed, made with tequila, lime juice, and sparkling water. Lone River captured it like lightening in a can and delivers a crisp, refreshing hard seltzer.

Lone River Ranch Water’s Variety 12-pack comes with four flavors:

• Original: Organic agave nectar and the taste of lime, it’s the perfect choice for those who appreciate classic refreshment. Also available in a single flavor 6- and 12-pack.
• Blackberry: Organic agave nectar, a delicious mix juicy blackberry, and a tart key lime finish. 
• Prickly Pear: Organic agave nectar, a taste of lime and the subtle sweetness of prickly pear juice from the cactus fruit.
• Spicy: Crafted with organic agave nectar, lime, and the subtle heat of muddled jalapeño; offering a tantalizing taste of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. Also available in a single flavor 6-pack.

The details: Lone River Ranch Water contains 80 calories, 0g of sugar, and 4% ABV per 12oz can serving.

The Ranch Rita Variety Pack: Touch of Sweet with a Pinch of Salt

As the name suggests, the Ranch Rita Variety Pack puts a delicious twist on original ranch water. Flavors in this variety pack include:

• Classic: tangy lime juice with hints of tequila spice and a lightly salty finish. Also available in a single flavor 6-pack.
• Spicy: zesty lime mixed with muddled jalapeño and a salty finish.
• Mango: juicy mango, tart lime, and a hint of tequila spice.
• Blood Orange: subtly sweet blood orange, bright lime, and balanced tequila spice.

The details: Lone River Ranch Rita contains 140 calories, 4g of sugar, and 5.8% ABV per 12oz can serving.

Learn More About Lone River Beverage Company Products

Lone River offers your customers a refreshing break from beers and RTD cocktails with a fresh, natural tasting hard seltzer option to enjoy while kicking back on crisp, fall days. For more information about Lone River Beverage Company’s product, contact us today.

 

Each February and September, Trinchero Family Estates hosts its Heritage Month to highlight its family of brands. This month we’re excited to feature the following seven wines – and a spirit.

Avissi Prosecco
The name “Avissi” comes from the delightful fizzy sound the bubbles make as they happily rise in the glass, which releases a gorgeous bouquet of delicate floral notes and fruity aromas. Inviting fresh fruit flavors lead to a clean crispness on the palate and refined finish, making it the perfect match for a wide variety of cuisines and occasions.

Ceretto Arneis Blange

Crisp and bright, vibrant acidity and enticing aromas of green apple, Bartlett pear, and orange blossom intertwined with subtle hints of almond, this wine will pair well with a wide variety of food and is lovely on its own, by-the-glass on any occasion.

Echo Bay Sauvignon Blanc

With bright, pure flavors and a fun-loving personality, Echo Bay contains the spectacular natural beauty of New Zealand’s South Island. Zesty citrus aromas lead to layers of passionfruit, grapefruit and gooseberry flavors, followed by a clean, refreshing finish. It’s exquisite on its own or paired with lighter fare.

Neyers Carneros District Chardonnay

The aromas are immediately attractive with a lemon/lime zest quality and the flavors beckon you in with their softness and intrigue. It’s medium-to full-bodied with bright acidity, spiced apple flavors, and a subtle toasty component.

San Polo Rubio

Rubio has a brilliant ruby red color with purple hues. Intensely fruity aromas, with notes of cherry, violet, and black currant, followed by spicy notes. The sensations of berries and cherries, typical of the variety, give it great drinkability, in addition to considerable intensity and elegance. It is perfect by the glass, thanks to its versatility, and ideal for outdoor barbecues.

Vitiano Blanco

Produced in Umbria, Italy, Falesco’s Vitiano Bianco beautifully merges freshness and structure. Floral aromas meld with green apple and citrus notes, delivering a wine that is both crisp and harmonious. It epitomizes Central Italy’s prowess in crafting expressive white wines.

Vitiano Rosso

The wine has an intense red color with violet reflections. The aroma has fruity notes in great balance with the sweetness of the wood. The taste is strong, round, pleasant with a rich and harmonic finish.

Tres Agaves Blanco Tequila

Ideal for sipping or mixing, with a pleasant taste and silky texture that combines vibrant and sweet agave aromas with supporting notes of citrus, wild mint, and pear, typical of the Tequila Valley terroir.

Learn More About Trinchero Family Estates

If you wish to learn more about the varieties of wines and spirits offered by Trinchero Family Estates, please contact us today. We’re very excited to share this family of incredible wines with you and your team.

If you’re an individual looking for a great wine to bring to an friend’s gathering, follow us on your favorite social media platform for ideas and insights: YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, or our Oregon feed or Washington feed on Instagram.

Part of what makes autumn so special is its distinctive characteristics: colorful leaves, crisp air, and cozy fabrics are synonymous with fall. As summer fades and the leaves begin to change, so too should your wine cabinet. While summertime warrants light-bodied wines and can be chilled for added refreshment, autumn calls for warm flavor notes helping take the chill out of the air. Discover these five fall wines recommended by Columbia Distributing’s Wine & Spirits Team.

Charles and Charles Double Trouble Red Blend (Washington; ABV: 14.2%)

Double Trouble Red Blend is made of 58% Syrah and 42% Cabernet Sauvignon; with the Cabernet Sauvignon fermented whole berry, and the Syrah fermented largely whole cluster (with stems). It has notes of blackberry, white pepper, black licorice, and cocoa with hints of smoked meat.

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HopWTR is a non-alcoholic beverage that blends the refreshing qualities of sparkling water with the bold flavors of hops.

Overview

HopWTR was founded to provide a satisfying alternative that combines the crispness of sparkling water with the complex, hoppy flavors typically found in beers. This innovative approach caters to consumers who are looking for a flavorful, refreshing drink without the buzz.

Per HopWTR’s site, the blend includes adoptogens (ashwagagandha) to help moderate the body’s response to stress and nootropics (L-theanine) to help boost cognitive performance. Additionally hops have a natural calming effects thanks to their flavornoids and essential oils. It’s also packed with Vitamin C – and to make life all the sweeter, HopWTR is sugar free, keto and vegan friendly, and has zero calories.

Product Line and Flavor Profiles

HopWTR’s product line includes a variety of flavors, each infused with hops to deliver a distinctive taste experience. Available in 12oz cans.

Hop Flavored:

• Classic: packed with Citra, Amarillo, Mosaic and Azacca hops, delivering a piney, earthy flavor that reminds you of your favorite IPA.
• Double-Hopped: cold dry hopped and micro-filtered to deliver an extra bold and piney hop experience. Our OG blend was dry hopped with additional Mosaic hops to make it their hoppiest brew yet.

Fruit Flavored: all made with Citra, Amarillo, Mosaic and Azacca hops.

• Black Cherry
• Blood Orange
• Lemonade
• Lime
• Mango
• Peach
• Ruby Red Grapefruit

Variety Pack includes: Classic, Blood Orange, Mango, and Lime

Wondering what to stock in your cooler if you’re thinking about adding HopWTR to your portfolio? Start with the top three flavors in the PNW:

1. Ruby Red
2. Blood Orange
3. Peach

Each flavor is designed to be as versatile as it is delicious, making HopWTR a great choice for enjoying on its own or pairing with a meal.

Find HopWTR

HopWTR offers a sophisticated and satisfying alternative to traditional soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. It’s ideal for those who appreciate complex flavors, looking to reduce or skip alcohol consumption, or simply want a refreshing drink that stands out from the typical sparkling water options.

We proudly distribute HopWTR products throughout Oregon and Washington. Contact your local Columbia Distributing rep or office to add it to your portfolio or menu.

After spending seven years conducting research and development, Jason Momoa and Blaine Halverson, launched Meili (MAY-lee) Vodka in 2023. It’s a premium spirit known for its exceptional quality and a refined flavor, allowing it not only to be used in a cocktail but also sipped neat.

Origins and Production

With sustainability in mind, and being conscious of its carbon footprint, Meili Vodka is crafted using local grains and pure water from an ancient aquifer in Montana. And its only distilled once, incredibly unique for a vodka, however it results in its smooth, clean taste.

“It’s this beautiful water source that comes off this limestone shelf – 300-million-year-old aquifer. It looked like Avatar – I had never seen so much life at a water source, where there’s snow everywhere. We come to find what makes it so special is that there’s no sodium in that water. The salt is really what takes away some of the notes that you taste in that from our grains, and it’s high in calcium and sulfur. That’s what gives it that unique taste.” Jason Momoa

The bottles are 100% post-consumer recycled glass, meaning no two are the same. And in 2024 the bottles will be made in the USA, meaning Meili’s entire production will be US-based.

Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

Meili Vodka is celebrated for its subtle vanilla notes and a hint of citrus and peppery spiciness, making it incredibly versatile. If not enjoying neat (suggestion: enjoy it room temperature), a popular choice is the classic with a Meili inspired name called Tana Mule:

**Ingredients:

•  2 ounces Meili Vodka
•  1/2-ounce lime juice (freshly squeezed)
•  4 ounces ginger beer
•  Ice
•  Lime wedge and mint sprig (for garnish)

**Instructions:

1. Fill a copper mug with ice.
2. Add Meili Vodka and lime juice.
3. Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge and a mint sprig.

The Tana Mule combines Meili Vodka’s crispness with the spicy kick of ginger beer and the tang of lime, offering a refreshing experience that highlights the vodka’s smoothness. During its launch tour, bartenders opted to use Meili in margaritas, instead of tequila, to highlight its unique flavor profile.

Add Meili Vodka to Your Portfolio Today

With its growing popularity, and winning gold in several vodka and spirits world competitions, Meile Vodka continues to shine in the liquor market. Wish to learn more about Meili and our spirits portfolio? Contact your local Columbia Distributing rep or local office in Washington today.