Great Artisan Beverage adds Oregon’s General Distributors into ownership group

At the end of 2012, a group of locally owned, family distributors recognized that while each represented great brews and quality craft and specialty products, a more unified approach to the management and distribution of craft and specialty beverages was needed. To this end, C. Stein Distributing, Marine View Beverage, The Odom Corp. and Sound Beverage Distributors joined forces to form the Great Artisan Beverage Co. This collaboration ensures partners in the Great Artisan portfolio are represented seamlessly throughout Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington and that craft and specialty aficionados can find the sought after brands they demand.

Now, a new partner has come on board. Great Artisan Beverage just officially announced that General Distributors is the newest owner in the Great Artisan Beverage Co. General Distributors distributes a selection of key craft and specialty brands throughout Columbia, Washington, Multnomah, Yamhill, Clackamas, Polk and Marion counties in the Portland, Oregon market.

“General Distributors has been in business for over 80 years and we are looking forward to being a part of such a great organization as Great Artisan Beverage.” said Charles Fick III, president of General Distributors Inc.

General Distributors Inc., Oregon City, Ore., has a storied tradition in beverage distribution dating back to 1933 and has been continuously owned and operated by the Fick family since inception. General has dedicated personnel in their respective territories focusing on the craft and specialty portfolio of Great Artisan Beverage. General will remain an independent distribution company proudly representing many high-quality beverage brands and will continue to focus on the success of their supplier relationships that will now include additional brands through Great Artisan.

“We look forward to having General Distributors sit on the Board. In a very short period of time in working with the fine people at General,” stated Nick Gagliardi, president of Great Artisan Beverage. “They have had a tremendous impact on our current list of craft brands and specialty beverages in Oregon. This is a partnership of a proud family owned business that understands the meaning of quality and service.”