A Bit Spicy: Enjoying Syrah Wine

Syrah Sign By GrapevinesAre you looking to spice up your wine experience? Look no further than Syrah wine, a full-bodied red that is packed with strong flavors and will accentuate the taste of many of your favorite foods. tippmix kalkulàtor Originating from the Rhone region in France, Syrah wine has been around for centuries and held in high regard in many parts of the world. To help you learn more about this bold wine, Columbia Distributing provides an in-depth profile. Continue reading…


Breaking Down Wine’s Many Health Benefits

Pouring Wine Into GlassWhile not only delicious and refreshing, wine can also help you live a long and healthy life. When consumed in moderation, wine can help fight cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis. The Columbia Distributing blog is here to outline some known wine health benefits to help you make the most of your favorite beverage. Continue reading…


On the Joys of Zinfandel

Zinfandel Grapes On Vine

If you’re searching for a food-friendly wine that both red and white lovers will enjoy, look no further than California’s famous Zinfandel. Originating in Croatia, the grape takes advantage of the state’s warm climate and accounts for 10 percent of the vines planted in all of California’s vineyards. For anyone who hasn’t tried Zinfandel wines yet, or who would like to know more, Columbia Distributing offers a closer look at this varietal. Continue reading…


A Summarized History of Wine Grapes

Bottle Of Wine Near Map of FranceIt’s hard to imagine a world without wine. But believe it or not, the wine industry was once nonexistent. How exactly did such humble beginnings turn into the booming wine industry we know today? gry kasyno nowe It all begins with grapes. Here, Columbia Distributing takes a closer look at the history of wine grapes to make you further appreciate every sip. Continue reading…


Top 3 Wine Countries

Red Wine And Globe

Dozens of countries across the globe grow grapes and produce wine, but which can be called the best of the best? While you’ll find standout wines from every country, Columbia Distributing has identified the top three wine countries in the world. Chosen for their extensive history and notable varietals, these nations offer timeless wines and exciting new options to explore. Whether you’re new to wine or an experienced connoisseur, we’ll cover the essentials on grapes and wine from each of these countries. Continue reading…


A Beginner’s Guide to Wine and Meal Pairing

White Wine With Seafood DishWhen you’re hosting a dinner party or special event, there is already enough pressure to ensure everything runs smoothly. The last thing you want to worry about is whether the wines you chose will pair well with your intended menu. While the wrong wines can taint the flavors of your hard work in the kitchen, pairing your meals with the right wines can complement those flavors and create lasting memories. To help you choose the best wines for your best dishes, Columbia Distributing offers a simple introduction to the world of wine pairings. Continue reading…


What Are the Marks of a Good Winter Ale?

Winter Ale in Snow- Columbia Distributing

Throughout the year, breweries introduce seasonal beers. One of these recurring brews is the winter ale, otherwise referred to as a winter warmer. Read on to learn what defines this cold-weather beer and how to determine the quality of a winter ale.

Winter Ale Defined Continue reading…


The important relationship between drinks and snacks

Drinks and snacks at bar

Many times when people hear the word “pairing” they think of snobbery and a stuffy aristocrat picking a cheese for his wine. The truth is that we all pair our food and drinks, perhaps without even realizing it. We pick the best snacks for drinks all the time. Think about it, when you go to the movies, you carefully select your drink and your snacks so you get maximum enjoyment.

Food plays a role in the flavor of a drink, it can enhance or inhibit.

Finding the perfect drink to go with your favorite snack may not be easy and it may take several tries before your find the best relationship, but don’t give up because when you do finally find the right match your snack or mealtime will be forever improved.

Here’s what to consider when searching for the best snack and drink combination: Continue reading…


Libby and Analise Take on Pink Boots

Women Coming Together in the Name of Beer!

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The Pink Boots Society was created to assist, inspire and encourage women in the beer industry. Columbia’s own, Libby Rankin and Analise Lucchese recently attended the very first Pink Boots Conference in San Diego, CA. Here is a glimpse of their experience: 

A couple of weeks ago I had an amazing opportunity to travel to and experience the Pink Boots Society’s first major conference. It was inspiring to see so many professional women amassed together in one room in the name of a shared passion for beer!

This is a unique business to be in.  It’s one of the oldest trades in the world.  As a distributor, the beer industry is a way of life.   I educate myself daily on the industry – new product launches, market trends, and consumer purchasing data.  What I have not been able to do, previous to the Pink Boots Society meeting, is share my experience as a women in this generally male dominated industry with other women.  Though here in Portland we have a strong presence of women within the distributor and supplier networks, we still make up a disproportionately small contingent of the workforce.  This is why the Pink Boots event was such an extraordinary experience.

After nearly ten years of distributor events and conventions, this is the first event I have attended that was geared specifically to beer and the women who, like me, dedicate their professional lives to the industry.   For the first time, I had a chance to expand my knowledge in the trade surrounded by a group of my female peers. It was incredible!!  We made new friends, we laughed, and we traded industry stories.  Ultimately we bonded over our passion for beer and had a wonderful time doing so.

We had the opportunity to hear a number of fruitful discussions ranging from Distribution, Sensory Recognition, to Hops as a raw material in the supply chain. The panels and lectures were enlightening and impressive.

The Distribution panel was an especially valuable and enlightening learning experience for me. My understanding and compassion for the multiple perspectives on distribution that, previous to this discussion I did not have. I now have a stronger understanding of and increased empathy for the difficulties brewers have when deciding how and through whom to distribute their beer. It was eye opening, to say the least!

The Sensory Lecture, by Gwen Conley, was amazing. Sensory recognition is the science of understanding what you are feeling, tasting and the perception you have. Simply put, she absolutely killed her presentation. She was engaging and funny and had her speech prepared, ready to go. She made me feel as if I were the only one in the room (though it was packed!). She gave exact definitions and examples of everything that Sensory Recognition has to offer.

The most notable presentation of the event was the keynote speaker, Megan Parisi, of Samuel Adams Brewery.  She spoke eloquently about her career path, starting out as a professional musician and defying convention in pursuit of her dream to be in this industry.  Her inspirational tale of persistence in the face of adversity was refreshing not only as a fellow woman and manager in the industry but as a beer enthusiast. As a manager of a team, I found value specifically in her commentary covering what she deems her greatest accomplishment, watching the people she trained become exceptional brewers and move on to newer endeavors within the brewing craft.  Her emotion and absolute passion for encouraging personal and professional growth within her team was palpable as she neared the end of her speech fighting back tears. This segment helped reinforce my belief that being a manager of people requires you to engage and build a relationship with them.  Life is not just about numbers and making sure that you hit them. It is about the impact that you have on them as a professional. You could see the zeal that she teaches with and how she talks about her students. It was very moving to be in a room with a women with that much devotion. As leaders, we often don’t take the time to think about what kind of an impact we have on the people we manage or the impact they have on us as leaders. I hope that as my career progresses here at Columbia I can stand up and speak with as much passion as she has. And know that the passion was perceived on the other side.

This was a great weekend for me. I was not sure what it was going to be like and or what to expect. To be honest I had no idea it was the first ever! The ladies of the Pink Boots Society did a fantastic job. I can’t wait for the next. The women I met and made friends with will be friends for a lifetime. I can not wait for our next adventure.

– Libby Rankin

Thank you Libby, for sharing your experience with us! We look forward to hearing more about your involvement with Pink Boots. 

 


10 Beers to Try this Summer

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Well, summer is officially here and that means it’s time to bust out the tank tops and enjoy an ice cold beer on the patio! It wasn’t easy but we combed through our portfolio of awesome pilsners, wheat beers, pale ales and more to give you our list of 10 refreshing beers you can enjoy on those hot summer days.

1. Fremont Summer Ale

Availability: April 1 – August 31

ABV: 5.2%

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This simple craft, summer ale tastes like endless summer days and tangerine flowers in a glass.

2. Deschutes Hop Slice Summer Ale

Availability: April 1 – August 31

ABV: 5%

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Floral and citrus hop notes meet smooth caramel maltiness in this refreshingly balanced golden ale. This year’s batch includes Lemondrop Hops!

3. Full Sail Blood Orange Wheat

Availability: Not listed

ABV: 5.2%

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The Blood Orange Wheat offers a medium malt body with a crisp wheat finish and subtle orange flavor.

4. HUB Ferocious Citrus IPA

Availability: Not listed

ABV: 6.2%

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Big citrus hop flavors meet up grapefruit juice for a complex and fun to drink citrus sipper.

5. Cascade Lakes Blonde Bombshell

Availability: Year Round

ABV: 4.3%

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Blonde Bombshell combines subtle malt and wheat flavors with a delicate Liberty hop aroma to create a sensational beer. Originally brewed as a seasonal, this beer was so popular, they pushed it into their regular line-up.

6. Backwoods Gifford Pinchot Pilsner

Availability: Year Round

ABV: 5.1%

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A Czech Pilsner brewed the exact way they do it in Prague. Made with a Czech Saaz hop, this beer has a spicy floral aroma with grassy notes and a clean crisp finish.

7. Dogfish Head Seaquench

Availability: April – December

ABV: 4.9%

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The release of SeaQuench Ale kicked off a new partnership between Dogfish Head and the National Aquarium that will focus on inspiring conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures. This session sour quencher is brewed with lime peel, black limes & sea salt.

8. Lagunitas Czech Pilsner

Availability: Year Round

ABV: 6%

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This Czech pilsner is brewed with loads of imported Saaz hops and a bottom-fermenting yeast strain that leaves it Light and Crisp, yet full of real flavor and all the things you yearn for.

9. Crux Gimme Mo IPA

Availability: Year Round

ABV: 6.2%

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Consider this the next generation IPA. It’s slightly sweet with lower ABV. It’s complex aromatic layers, suggest mango, melon, pine, and berries, are driven by whole-leaf Mosaic and Citra hops which are then balanced by an acidulated and pilsner malt bill. It’s silky smooth mouthfeel will leave you asking for “mo!”

10. Ballast Point Pineapple Sculpin

Availability: Year Round

ABV: 7%

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The Pineapple Sculpin IPA came from one of many small-batch cask experiments to enhance the flavor of Ballast Point’s signature IPA. The combination of fruity flavors and hop intensity definitely packs a punch.

 

Don’t see your favorite summer beer on the list? Let us know at Social@coldist.com.