Oregon’s first Distillery celebrates nearly a century of crafting award-winning spirits from the bounty of the Pacific Northwest
Founded in 1934, Oregon’s Hood River Distillers is celebrating its 90th Anniversary this year. Founded by three businessmen from the Pacific Northwest who began making fruit wine and brandies from the over-abundance of apples and pears grown in the Hood River Valley, and Hood River Distillers (DSP-OR-1) was born.
Ninety years later, Hood River Distillers (HRD) is the largest and oldest importer, distiller, producer, and marketer of distilled spirits in the Pacific Northwest, producing close to one million cases of spirits each year.
In celebration of the 90-year milestone, Hood River Distillers is planning a series of events at its Tasting Room in Hood River as well as the newly opened Tasting Outpost which opened at the end of 2023 in downtown Portland. Details will be announced on the distillery’s website and through their social media channels.
Since our founding in the shadow of Mt. Hood 90 years ago, Hood River Distillers has been recognized for quality craftsmanship, while embracing innovation – a testament to the passion of our pioneering founders. In a world of global, corporate brands, I’m immensely proud that HRD is still family-owned and operated, while crafting exceptional products and maintaining a commitment to employees, our customers and the Pacific Northwest.
Ronald Dodge, Executive Vice Chair
Dodge joined HRD in 1980 as an assistant to the VP of Operations. His grandfather and three business partners purchased Hood River Distillers from the original founders in 1949. He progressed through the ranks becoming Plant Manager in 1988, and then in 1999 became President and CEO. Under his leadership and vision, he transformed the business from a regional value-priced manufacturer of distilled spirits into a national purveyor of premium spirits. His professional journey culminated with the bittersweet sale of Pendleton Whisky to Proximo Spirits in 2018. Introduced to the market in 2003, Pendleton Whisky experienced significant growth, reaching over 250,000 9L cases annually before the divestiture. Post-sale activities have primarily focused on product innovations, streamlining operations, and revisiting fundamental business principles.
The next generation of the Dodge family is hard at work ensuring that the legacy of Hood River Distillers continues for another 90 years. Son Russell is Vice President of Corporate Development and daughter Korrie is Senior Brand Manager in the Marketing Department. Members of the other three families are still active shareholders.
In 2020, Dodge handed the reins of the company to industry veteran David Ballew, who was subsequently named President and CEO in 2022. Under Ballew’s leadership, HRD has focused on its premium brand portfolio, innovation, and expansion to new markets.
Our team – today about 70 strong – is dedicated to the art of spirits, which is reflected in every bottle we provide to consumers. From value to premium, amaro to whiskey, we have it all, and provide exceptional quality, no matter the price point.
David Ballew, President and CEO
Among numerous multi-award-winning brands, today the Hood River Distillers portfolio includes:
- McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt – recognized by the American Single Malt Commission as the first American Single Malt Whiskey.
- Forthwest Whisky – the newest whisky brand joining the portfolio, created to set a new standard for flavored whisky.
- Clear Creek Fruit Brandies & Liqueurs – created at one of the 1st craft distilleries in the U.S. from local fruits sourced within a 200-mile radius of the distillery.
- Lucid Absinthe – created by research scientist and absinthe expert T.A. Breaux, and the first authentic absinthe to be sold following the repeal of the 95-year ban on the sale of this classic cocktail ingredient in the United States.
- DeGroff Spirits – a New World Amaro and Bitter Aperitivo created in partnership with cocktail legend Dale DeGroff.
- Batanga Tequila – an authentic tequila crafted from 100% blue Weber agave by the Orendain Family, one of the four founding families of the modern tequila industry.
- Timberline Vodka – inspired by the iconic Timberline Lodge, this product pays homage to the heritage and history of the PNW.
From day one, Hood River Distillers has been a celebration of the bounty of the Pacific Northwest, from the local fruits which become our brandies, vodkas and more, to the distinctive Oregon Oak which we use in our aging processes, to the pristine glacier-fed spring water which flows from Mount Hood into every spirit we bottle in Hood River. We are proud stewards of the resources which have made our brands so delicious, and going forward we remain committed to responsible production.
David Ballew, President and CEO
In 2021, HRD became a proud partner of The Freshwater Trust, a Portland-based nonprofit whose mission is to preserve and restore freshwater ecosystems, including rivers, streams and creeks across the West and beyond. In the four years of the partnership, HRD has donated just shy of $100,000 to this organization.
About Hood River Distillers:
Founded in 1934 and headquartered in Hood River, Ore., Hood River Distillers is the Northwest’s largest and oldest importer, distiller, producer, and marketer of distilled spirits. Timberline® Vodka, Forthwest Whisky®, Big Gin®, Batanga® Tequila, Easy Rider® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Trail’s End® Finished Small Batch Bourbon, DeGroff™ Bitter Aperitivo and New World Amaro, Clear Creek® Fruit Brandies and Liqueurs, McCarthy’s® Oregon Single Malt, Old Delicious® Apple Brandy, Sinfire® Whisky, Lucid®Absinthe Supérieure, ULLR® Nordic Libation, Yazi® Ginger Vodka, Lewis and Clark® Spirits, HRD® Vodka and the complete line of Monarch® distilled spirits are distributed across the country. For the complete product portfolio and more information, visit www.hrdspirits.com.
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