Dick’s Brewing Company - Cream Stout

Dick’s Cream Stout pours a virtually black and opaque color, topped by a rich looking head of medium brown foam. On the nose, we get big roasty elements conjuring impressions of dark chocolate, plus complementary notes of deep-down scorched caramel, a touch of nuttiness, and a touch of creamy sweetness. Those roasted notes take a central role in the flavor as well, with prominent black coffee, smoky char, deeply toasted bread, and bittersweet chocolate. Though this is a cream stout, it’s not nearly as overtly sweet as many others of the style, although the sweetness builds as it warms in our glass. Look for a touch of spiciness to pop through too, contributed by the hops – whose bitterness remains low to make room for the strong use of roasted unmalted barley. We enjoyed the smoothness of this beer, augmented by the use of flaked barley, and the bitter-sweet interplay keeps us coming back for more. For pairing options, barbecued meats and any grilled meats or veggies should complement this beer nicely. Dessert pairings are another good call, particularly chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. Cheers!

The story of Dick’s Brewing Company goes back to the founding of Northwest Sausage & Deli by Dick Young in 1983. Having spent his adult life in the meat business, working at Chehalis’ Midway Meats in high school and founding Dick’s Meats in Rochester after graduation, Dick had made the decision to specialize in producing and smoking sausages and other meats. Not long after opening, he started selling sandwiches at the facility, turning it into a destination for those looking for high-quality grub and leading him to his next venture: brewing.

Unable to remain still for long, Dick began homebrewing in a major way in 1984, eventually building a 3-barrel brewing system in the back of the deli. By 1992, the popularity of his homebrew (he was exceeding the legal homebrewing production limits) led him to the decision to open his own dedicated brewing company, which opened its doors as Dick’s Brewing Company in 1994. A brewhouse was built next to the deli and production was located there until 2008. In that year, Dick opened a new, larger brewhouse, followed by a Tasting Room on premises in 2009.

Sadly, Dick passed away at his cabin that same year, but the family business is still going strong under the leadership of his daughter, Julie Pendleton. The brewery produces an impressive sixteen year-round brews plus five seasonals and a variety of limited-production beers. Dick’s original 3-barrel brewing system is still used for pilot batches to this day. For more info on the brewery or NW Sausage & Deli, visit them at dicksbeer.com.