Dick’s Brewing Company - Lava Rock Porter

Dick’s Brewing Company’s Lava Rock Porter is a bold yet approachable English-style porter that showcases the brewery’s skill in balancing richness with drinkability. Pouring a deep brown, nearly black hue crowned with a creamy head, it is brewed with a thoughtful blend of caramel, chocolate, and black malts, delivering layers of roasted grain, dark chocolate, toffee, and subtle coffee-like bitterness. Magnum and Mt. Hood hops lend balance without overwhelming the malt-forward character, keeping the beer smooth and satisfying from first sip to finish. At once robust and silky, it offers both seasoned porter fans and curious newcomers a rewarding experience. Its versatility extends to the table, where it pairs seamlessly with hearty comfort foods like meatloaf, venison stew, or a Philly cheesesteak, echoing the beer’s depth with savory richness. Briny oysters provide a surprising yet classic contrast, lifting the roasted malt with freshness, while creamy desserts like cheesecake or even a simple chocolate tart play beautifully against its chocolatey undertones. This is a porter that feels equally at home in a pub, at the dinner table, or as a fireside sipper—an inviting, malt-driven beer that captures the comforting warmth and balance that Dick’s Brewing Company has built its reputation on.

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.