In the heart of Sidney, Montana, a fourth-generation family business continues to thrive, delivering more than just beverages to communities across Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota. For over 100 years, Blue Rock Products Company has been synonymous with quality, service, and community spirit.
Founded in 1913 in Fairview as a small beer distributorship, Blue Rock quickly evolved to meet growing demand. As rail shipments reached distant towns like Glasgow and Plentywood, the company relocated to Sidney in 1959 to expand its operations. What followed was decades of growth—new bottling facilities, key acquisitions, and strategic partnerships that allowed Blue Rock to broaden its footprint and product offerings.
Today, the company distributes some of the biggest names in the beverage world, Pepsi, Coors, Miller, and Gallo among them, but at its core, Blue Rock is still a family-run business built on relationships. We had a chance to ask one of the current owners a few questions about the company and their thoughts about doing business in Sidney.
We recently caught up to one of the owners, Karen Olson-Beenken. Karen who co-owns the company with her brother, Randy Olson. “We don’t just sell beverages – we sell fun, what really sets us apart is our people and the relationships we’ve built over the years.”
“Our employees are active in the community, and we love supporting education, the arts, and almost any youth activity. Sidney is the kind of place where people show up and care.”
Being a member of the Sidney Chamber of Commerce has been instrumental in strengthening those ties. “The Chamber is a great resource, not just for networking, but for staying informed about local events and political changes that might affect our business. They’ve helped rally people to stay involved and engaged.”
Running a company of this scale comes with its challenges, but Karen thrives on variety. No two days are the same. She spends time with employees and customers, works on industry-wide initiatives through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and handles everything from mentoring to problem-solving. “I love that no day is typical. Boredom just isn’t in my vocabulary. I try to stop fires before they start, and I really enjoy connecting people and ideas.”
As Blue Rock continues to evolve, modernizing its internal systems and bringing new products to market, Karen remains excited about what’s ahead. “This business is always changing, and that keeps it interesting. There’s always something new to learn, something new to try.”
Her advice to aspiring business owners? “Be clear about what you want to accomplish and build a strong support system. And if you don’t have one right away, reach out – join the Chamber, get involved in the community. You’ll build the relationships you need to grow, both personally and professionally.” Karen credits her father, John Olson, as a key influence, along with other local mentors who helped guide her with patience and wisdom.
From its humble beginnings to its role today as a leader in regional beverage distribution, Blue Rock Products is more than a business, it’s a story of resilience, community, and family. Whether it’s sponsoring school scoreboards, supporting youth organizations, or having employees coach teams and serve on local boards, Blue Rock makes it a point to give back
“We’ve always believed that for Sidney to thrive, our businesses must thrive. And we’re proud to be a part of that.”
