Retired for a minute, Larry Rock returns to the beer scene.
A familiar name on the Seattle-Tacoma beer scene, a legend, actually, Larry Rock announced today that he has accepted a position with White Bluffs Brewing in Richland, Washington. As Western Washington Sales Manager, he’ll help introduce the region’s beer drinkers to White Bluff’s beers. Most recently, Larry worked for Reuben’s Brews. A couple of months ago, Larry announced his retirement. That day came and went, but it turns out Larry wasn’t quite done.
Semi-retired, or something like that, Larry Rock will go to work with an old friend. When asked about his short-lived retirement, Larry said, “I wouldn’t have done this with anyone else. I’m looking forward to working with one of my oldest buddies; it’ll be fun helping sell his beer.”
Larry Rock and Mike Sutherland, the founder and brewmaster at White Bluffs Brewing, have been buddies since the eighth grade. Some years ago, Mike decided to open a brewery and turned to Larry, who acted as a consultant, helping to get White Bluffs Brewing off the ground in 2010. Much more recently, Mike extended this offer and Larry accepted.
This is a low-key gig for Larry, who’s managed some pretty mighty accounts, met formidable quotas, and taken on some pretty serious responsibilities throughout his career. Comparatively, he says that what he’ll do with White Bluffs feels like retirement. Talking to people about White Bluff Brewing is something of a labor of love.
“Big news for the White Bluffs Brewing family,” said the brewery on Facebook. “We’re beyond thrilled to welcome Larry Rock – a true Seattle craft beer legend – to our WBB team as our first ever Western Washington Sales Manager!”
White Bluffs Brewing might be one of the best breweries folks around Seattle have never heard of. I have a feeling that’s going to change. Larry’s is a familiar, trusted face on the local beer scene and his buddy Mike makes some damn good beer. Keep an eye on the tap list at your local pub. West of the Mountains, White Bluff’s beers are distributed by Orcas Distributing.
