Natural Grocers Expands Specialty Alcoholic Beverages Concept in Ore.

Natural Grocers is expanding to half of its Oregon stores a concept that offers specialty alcoholic beverages, including local, organic and gluten-free beer options; organic and biodynamic wine; local hard cider; and alcoholic kombucha.

The Cottage Wine and Craft Beer section is a nook within the store that first launched in Denver last August, and recently arrived at the Coos Bay, Ore., store. The five other stores slated to unveil the section are Medford, on June 13; Gresham, on June 20; Beaverton, on July 11; and Portland (MLK) and Warrenton, this summer.

The new section fits with Natural Grocers’ focus on carrying local products in its wine and craft beer selection in an effort to “showcase beer and wine producers committed to maintaining the highest standards and certifications.” For instance, Natural Grocers' wine selection incorporates only offerings that are made with organic grapes, or are USDA Certified Organic (or equivalent) or certified Demeter Biodynamic. Additionally, all wines sold at its stores are non-GMO, and all beer and cider must be produced in the Pacific Northwest, certified USDA Organic or gluten-free.

"From produce to supplements, every product we sell meets rigorous quality standards, and our wine and craft beer offerings are no exception," said Natural Grocers Co-President Kemper Isely. "Oregon residents can trust that we've done our homework to source only the highest-quality craft beer, wine and more to their neighborhood store, and we believe they won't find this anywhere else."

Lakewood, Colo.-based Natural Grocers operates 147 stores in 19 states – 12 in Oregon – and employs more than 3,000 associates.