Alameda Brewing Company celebrated their 21st birthday this year. They've been a staple on NE Fremont since 1996, producing beers you're sure to have known for many years.  They may pop off the shelf at you next time you see them in cans.New artwork has been imagined by Alameda's Director of Operations, Niquel Coull and produced by Megan Rolerkite - a talented local designer who happens to be the sister of Erik Rolerkite, a former Alameda brewer now at the helm of Victor-23 Craft Brewery. The new cans pay homage to the former bottle and can designs with the hand-drawn-styled artwork. The cans are shrink wrapped so that Alameda will have the flexibility to offer new and seasonal beers in cans in the not-so-distant future, but the first offerings will include the flagship brews of Admiration IPA, Yellow Wolf Imperial IPA and Black Bear XX Stout -winner of GABF Gold in 2003 & 2005, and Silver in 2006 & 2008.These new designs will find their way into grocers and bottle shops around the Portland Metro Area and much of Oregon via new means. Last week, Alameda Brewing Company severed ties with General Distributors, Inc. (GDI) to form a new relationship with Columbia Distributing. Alameda Brewing Company was one of many impacted by GDI's employee strike in November 2015. It was Alameda's feeling that many of the tap handles and shelf placements around the Portland area that were replaced by competitors during the strike were never recovered."Thanks to everyone at General Distributing from the management and DMs to the folks on the street," said Alameda Brewing owner, Matt Schumacher. He shared with us that he has a lot of respect for so many hard-working folks at GDI, but this decision was best for the company.Schumacher and his team are experiencing a lot of growth in Washington and Idaho and look forward to a new relationship that sees that growth mimicked in Oregon. "Our sales manager in Idaho has been killin' it," shared Schumacher. Alameda has been in Idaho via Hayden Beverage since March 1st of 2017 and finished the year with strong sales in Safeway stores and Albertson's as well as craft beer bars around the Boise area. "We're looking forward to an increased presence in the spring sets (in grocers)," Schumacher continued.While Alameda Brewing Company's beers are recognizable names that have stood the test of time, they're newfound growth surge is something Schumacher credits to brewers Michael Kilgore and Marshall Kunz. The brewing team has updated classics like Admiration IPA and Yellow Wolf Imperial IPA with new school hop bills. Admiration IPA now features a blend of El Dorado, Simcoe and Mosaic hops while Yellow Wolf Imperial IPA was updated with a blend of Cenntenial, El Dorado, Mosaic and Simcoe in the whirlpool and dry-hopping.The new distribution deal with Columbia signals new opportunities that Alameda is very excited about. "I got to thank Derek Hass (Director of Craft & Import for Columbia) for helping facilitate this whole transition," Schumacher said. "Dude is a stud. He even had a new baby born the same week we finalized all these details."The transition is only the beginning of a busy, busy month for Alameda Brewing. They're making their presence felt in the Portland area with the following upcoming events:

• Bacon & Beer at Alameda's Brewhouse on NE Fremont - 12/8 from 6AM to 10AM - Live broadcast by Tanner & Drew of 105.9 The Brew - Bacon by Block & Board - Photo booth with "Bad Santa" - Vegas Trip Raffle
• 99.5 The Wolf's Hometown Holiday Show at the Chiles Center - 12/12 at 7:30mPM - Music by Dustin Lynch, Big & Rich and more
• Phat Santa Beer & Cheese Night at Alameda's Brewhouse on NE Fremont - 12/21 from 6PM-9PM - Cheese by Steve Jones' Cheese Bar
• 94.7FM December to Remember Concert Series at Crystal Ballroom - Multiple dates include Weezer, Vance Joy & Cold War Kids