Sitting down with a pint of your favorite local brew, chatting with friends and enjoying the remaining hours of the day has been a beloved past time for generations. Today, the tradition continues at breweries around the region, letting us enjoy unique beers brewed just a few feet away. Washington State is home to nearly 400 breweries, meaning that almost every large community has one or two. In Lewis County, there are dozens of bars and pubs to frequent, but only a few breweries where you can get a tasty mug of frothy beer right from the source. 
Dick’s Brewing Company
Dick’s Brewing has an interesting history which makes its wide selection of beers even better. Dick’s started in 1983 as NW Sausage & Deli, but has transformed into one of the most unique and tasty breweries in our state. Eleven years after opening, owner Dick Young turned his brewing hobby into a business, opening Dick’s Brewing Company in 1994. Today Dick’s Brewing is most well known for their creative, tasty and well-made beers, but don’t ignore the food! NW Sausage & Deli is still operating and better than ever.
Since opening, Dick’s has turned into one of the original “new” breweries of Lewis County. The most well-known beer is Dick Danger Ale, which is their best selling beer. The ale is an English-style dark ale, with a roasted flavor and great aroma. Dick Young’s legacy lives on through this beer. Dick passed away in 2009 but the Brewery and Deli continue grow, led by Dick’s daughter, Julie Pendleton. With a deli and a tasting room, both serving beer, you’ll enjoy a stop at either location – or both!
Dick’s NW Sausage and Deli is open every day except Sunday. They open at 9:30 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, while staying open until 9:00 p.m. the rest of the week. The Tasting Room (open to those 21 and over) has over 20 varieties of ales. It is open only two days a week, Friday and Saturday from 3:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Tours run at 5:30 p.m., which is a great way to start the weekend.
Flood Valley Brewing Craft Taphouse
This isn’t quite a brewery in the true sense of the word (yet) but Flood Valley is another must-stop in Lewis County, highlighted by their incredible array of lesser known beers from around the Pacific Northwest. With 21 rotating taps, live music, trivia nights and more, Flood Valley is also a fantastic spot to get supplies to brew your own beer. Chances are, owner Chris will be there to answer any and all beer and Chehalis related questions. Flood Valley is where you should grab a pint if you are looking to learn more about the beer, meet great community members and find a deeper understanding of the beer making process. Located at 289 NW Chehalis Ave., Flood Valley is open daily from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m.
Jones Creek Brewing
New, professional and serving delicious beer, Jones Creek Brewing might just become your favorite brewery in Lewis County. Fashioned with an outdoor themed logo and witty, punny beer names, Jones Creek is slowly getting on their feet. With a soft opening in November 2017, the grand opening for the brewery will take place in 2018 and should not be missed. Currently only open on the weekends, from noon to 6:00 p.m. and noon to 4:00 p.m., the tasting room showcases incredible talent and taste.
Jones Creek is tucked in the Willapa Hills near Pe Ell. While their selection of beer is always growing and changing, a seasonal favorite is the S’more stout. Many others enjoy the Plight, a blonde ale, Jones Creek’s brewers will leave you wanting more and returning time and time again.
McMenamins Olympic Club
Finally, no list of beer drinking establishments in Lewis County can be complete without mentioning McMenamins Olympic Club. With a small brewery added to the building in 1997, this historic and gorgeous building is, was and will probably always be a popular place to drink local beers from around the Pacific Northwest. Steeped in historical drama and intrigue that could be talked about for days, the building today offers lodging, a movie theater, brewery tours and of course great food and drink.
The Olympic Club Pub is your destination to get the best brews and is open seven days a week. From Sunday through Thursday, the pub and restaurant is open from 7:00 a.m. until midnight, and until 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. With a huge wood stove to keep warm in the winter months and beautifully refurbished historic pool tables, you’ll wonder why you didn’t stop in for a pint sooner.
