How Costco’s Kirkland Signature Beer From Deschutes Hit the Mark | The Wall Street Journal

Photography by Elizabeth Coetzee

Grocery shoppers regularly buy store-brand cereal to save several bucks, but for many, private-label beer seems a step too far. It’s understandable, said Arlin Zajmi, director of national buying for adult beverages at the discount grocer Aldi: “In the past, from a private-label perspective, many retailers focused on price and forgot about quality. We do the opposite and start with quality first.”

Aldi is part of a growing wave of chain retailers, including Costco, Wegmans, Stewart’s Shops and Trader Joe’s, that work closely with craft breweries to produce compelling beers that deliver on both value and taste. “We wanted to make a beer that’s so good, no one could complain about the price or the quality,” said Russ York, the corporate buyer for wine, beer and spirits at Costco.

For the Wall Street Journal, I dig into the story behind the Kirkland Signature Helles-Style Lager from Deschutes — one of the best flavorful value beers out there — and other private-label brands.