Rainier Beer in the Vending Machine

SUB POP

Details

More Coverage of Sub Pop at 20
--Sub Pop is 20
--Top 20 Releases
--Photos and Audio of SP20 Bands
--Green River
--The Fluid
--Think Local, Sign Global
--Touch Me, I'm Funny
--Beachwood Sparks
--Grunge 101
-- Rainier Beer in the Vending Machine

Related Content

• Noise for the Needy Raises $24,781, Proving That Going to Shows Can Save the World
  July 20, 2010
• On the Other Hand, Having a Hit Band Leave Isn't the Worst Thing for a Record Label
  February 3, 2011
• With Fleet Foxes' Contract Almost Up, Can Sub Pop's Support for Helplessness Blues Keep the Band on the Label?
  February 2, 2011
• Industrial Noise: Sub Pop's Fleet Fox Moment
  February 2, 2011
• Led by Fleet Foxes and Abbey Road, 2011 Is Already a Banner Year for Sales of Vinyl (Not to Mention mp3s, Cassettes, and . . . CDs)
  November 11, 2011

More About

• Alissa Gallivan
• Megan Jasper
• Jimmy Lavalle
• Worklife
• Jobs and Labor

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

A while back, Jimmy Lavalle of the Album Leaf was visiting Sub Pop's offices, and Megan Jasper thought she smelled beer. From her office in the main entry hallway, she caught the whiff of brew, and as vice president of the company, had to investigate. Turned out Lavalle had purchased himself a can of Rainier for 75 cents... from Sub Pop's vending machine. Though it was only mid-afternoon, how could he resist? It was beer... from a vending machine! The cold Rainier stocked in Sub Pop's vending machine has become the stuff of legend. Seattle Weekly first reported on this wonder of corporate culture back in September 2006. We discovered it was the brainchild of then-receptionist Alissa Gallivan. Gallivan had purchased a vending machine for the office with her own money ($800). Because she owns it, she can stock it with whatever the hell she wants without relying on a vending service. Of course, Ms. Jasper does have final say over these inter-office matters, but Gallivan knew her boss was the type who wouldn't care. After almost two years, Gallivan says the office goes through an average of two cases per month. "It's actually not as much as you might guess," she says. "Shockingly." Considering Rainier took the place of ginger ale—of which Gallivan says she sold one per week, at best—48 cans of beer each month ain't bad, I say. And Sub Pop isn't even old enough to drink yet!