Dick's Brewing Company - Mountain Amber Ale

Richly amber in color as it sits in our glass, and topped with a lasting head of beige foam, Dick's Mountain Amber Ale offers up a classic amber ale aroma. There's definitely a malty undercurrent here, with noticeable caramel and a toasty edge. Look for a clean, mildly herbal hop note to add an extra dimension. Amber ales can be a bit of a catch-all category, but most are brewed with an emphasis on the malts, and that's true here as well, though we enjoyed this brew's overall balance. It comes alive on the palate with bold notes of toasted bread and bread crust due to a good dose of aromatic malt, backed up by a round and lush note of caramel with a hint of honey. While the perceived bitterness remains low to moderate to our senses, offering a bit of balancing bite to the malty character, the hops do also contribute a nice dash of herbal spice. The brewery recommends pairing with pizzas, sandwiches, and hearty soups; we'll take our pizza with Italian sausage and mushrooms. 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 seven 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, call 360-736-1603 or visit them at dicksbeer.com.