Rainier Beer: Which States Can You Buy It?

Rainier Beer is a popular American-owned beer brand, established in Seattle, Washington, in 1884. The beer is particularly well-loved in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, and for many, it brings to mind the nostalgia of Seattle. In recent years, Rainier Beer has been brewed in California, but in 2016, the company returned to brewing in Washington for the first time in 13 years. The beer is now distributed in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Northern California.

Rainier beer is available in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and California

Rainier Beer is a brand with a long history. It was originally established in Seattle, Washington, in 1884, though the site had been brewing beer since 1878. The beer is no longer brewed in Seattle, but it remains a popular brand in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.

After a series of ownership transfers, the brand is now owned and operated by Pabst Brewing Company, and the beer is brewed in Irwindale, California. In Canada, it is owned, brewed, and distributed by Sleeman Breweries.

Rainier Beer is available in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Northern California. The brand has a strong association with Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, and its iconic red "R" logo is recognised across the region.

The beer is known for its nostalgic appeal, with its classic labels and stand-out figure. It has been featured in several films and TV series, including The Bridges of Madison County, Twilight, and Longmire, often as a prop to indicate a character's affinity for the Pacific Northwest.

With its wide distribution across the Northwest and Northern California, Rainier Beer is easily accessible to fans of its rich and nostalgic flavour.

The beer is brewed in Irwindale, California

Rainier Beer has a long history in the Pacific Northwest, dating back to 1878 when it was born in Seattle, Washington. The brand takes its name from Mount Rainier, which overlooks the city of Seattle. While Rainier Beer is closely associated with Seattle and the state of Washington, its brewing operations have moved several times over the years.

In the 1950s, the iconic Rainier "R" sign was raised above the brewery in Seattle, becoming a landmark of the city's skyline. However, due to the brand's success and a change in ownership, brewing operations were relocated outside of Seattle. Despite this move, Rainier remained a symbol of home and happiness for those living in the Pacific Northwest.

In recent years, there has been a shift to bring brewing operations back to the Pacific Northwest. In 2016, Rainier Beer returned to Washington state after a 13-year absence. The company started brewing its Pale Mountain Ale at the Redhook Brewery in Woodinville, Washington. This move was seen as a return to the brand's roots and a way to reconnect with the community.

However, it is important to note that during this period, the historic Rainier Lager continued to be brewed in Irwindale, California. The lager will continue to be brewed in California, while the company expands its production in Woodinville with new beers.

Irwindale, California, is located just east of Los Angeles and is known for its breweries and beer culture. Brewing operations in Irwindale have played a crucial role in ensuring the availability of Rainier Lager across the country. While the company focuses on expanding its craft beer offerings in Washington, the lager remains a popular choice for drinkers who appreciate its consistent quality and taste.

Rainier beer is a popular brand in the Pacific Northwest

Rainier Beer is a brand with a long history in the Pacific Northwest, dating back to the late 19th century. The Rainier Brewing Company was established in Seattle, Washington, in 1884, though the site had been brewing beer since 1878. The brand is particularly associated with Seattle and the wider Pacific Northwest region, featuring in films and TV shows set in the area, such as *Twilight* and *Longmire*.

The beer is no longer brewed in Seattle, and the company is no longer locally owned, but it remains American-owned and is still brewed in the US. After a series of ownership changes, the brand is now owned and operated by Pabst Brewing Company, and the beer is brewed in Irwindale, California. In Canada, it is owned, brewed, and distributed by Sleeman Breweries.

Despite the changes in ownership and brewing location, Rainier Beer remains a popular brand in the Pacific Northwest. In 2016, the brand returned to brewing in Washington state for the first time in 13 years, with the launch of their Pale Mountain Ale brewed at the Redhook Brewery in Woodinville. This move was seen as a return to the brand's history and roots in the Pacific Northwest, with plans to expand production in Woodinville in the coming years.

The brand has a strong association with the region, with its distinctive red "R" logo becoming an iconic symbol recognised by locals. Rainier Beer has been featured in several films and TV shows set in the Pacific Northwest, further cementing its place in the region's culture. The brand has also been mentioned in songs and albums by artists with ties to the area, such as the band Mudhoney.

The beer was originally established in Seattle, Washington

The original brewery dates back to 1854 when A.B. Rabbeson opened Washington Brewery, which was Seattle's first commercial brewing company. In 1872, Rabbeson renamed his brewery Seattle Brewery and launched Rainier Beer in 1878, producing and distributing it for the next decade. In 1888, Rabbeson sold his brewery, along with the Rainier brand, to Andrew Hemrich, who had previously operated a brewery in Alma, Wisconsin. The Hemrichs produced Rainier beer in Washington until 1916 when the state of Washington enacted its prohibition, four years before the nationwide prohibition of the 18th Amendment.

During this time, the Hemrichs opened a brewery in San Francisco, where they brewed Rainier until 1920 when the 18th Amendment was ratified. The company survived prohibition by producing a variety of non-alcoholic products. After prohibition ended, the Bay View brewery was purchased by Lethbridge, Alberta brewers Fritz and Emil Sick, who repurchased the Rainier brand and began brewing Rainier again in 1935. The brewery went through several name changes during this period, including Sicks' Seattle Brewing and Malting and Sicks' Rainier Brewing Company.

In 2016, Rainier Beer returned to being brewed in Washington state for the first time in 13 years, with the brewing of their Pale Mountain Ale at the Redhook Brewery in Woodinville.

Rainier beer is also distributed in Canada

Rainier Beer is distributed in several US states, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and California. The beer is also distributed in Canada, where it is owned, brewed, and distributed by Sleeman Breweries as Rainier Lager.

The history of Rainier Beer dates back to 1878 when it was first introduced in Seattle, Washington, which at the time was not yet a state. The brand was established by Andrew Hemrich, a first-generation German from a family of brewmasters. Hemrich built the Seattle Brewing & Malting Company, which later became known as the Rainier Brewing Company, named after Mount Rainier overlooking Seattle. Rainier Beer quickly became a popular brand in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

However, with changing ownership and operations, the brewing operations were moved away from Seattle, and the iconic "R" sign that had lit up the Seattle skyline went dark. Despite this setback, Rainier Beer continued to be a beloved brand, and in the 2000s, they joined forces with Pabst and recommitted to their roots in the Pacific Northwest. The iconic "R" sign was lit up once again, symbolising Rainier's return home.

During this time of transition, Rainier Beer was brewed in various locations outside of Washington. From 1999 until 2016, the lager was brewed in Irwindale, California. In 2016, Rainier Beer returned to being brewed in Washington state, specifically at the Redhook Brewery in Woodinville, where they crafted their new Pale Mountain Ale.

While Rainier Beer has strong associations with the Pacific Northwest, it has also been distributed and enjoyed in other parts of North America, including Canada. Sleeman Breweries, a division of Sapporo Breweries, acquired the Canadian rights to Rainier Beer in 1999. Since then, Sleeman has been responsible for brewing and distributing Rainier Lager in Canada.

Sleeman Breweries' ownership of Rainier Beer in Canada is part of a larger acquisition that included a folio of brands. By acquiring Stroh Canada, Sleeman gained the rights to popular brands like Rainier and expanded their presence in the Canadian market. This move by Sleeman Breweries highlights the demand for Rainier Beer in Canada and the brand's recognition beyond its traditional stronghold in the Pacific Northwest.

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