North Coast Brewing Company

WineCountryBEER

 
 

Fort Bragg is no longer a fort, but this cozy little coastal town right on the Pacific Ocean is guarded these days by North Coast Brewing Company.

Since its startup in 1988, the brewery and its taproom have anchored down the north end of the Wine Country brewing region. Its richly flavored beers have developed quite a following, not only in California, but wherever the brand is distributed.

The Brews

North Coast Brewing produces a diversified portfolio of beers and keeps a dozen or more of them on tap in the Taproom. The brewery is highly regarded in the craft beer community, both with brewers and consumers. They have had great success in major beer competitions over the past 20 years.

Their Acme label provides sort of an alter ego for the brewery. Acme was a former Bay Area brewery with roots back to 1861. Since 1996, North Coast has owned  the label and currently produces an Acme Pale Ale and an Acme India Pale Ale.

Some taproom favorites include:

Red Seal Ale – This American Amber Ale is the brewery’s flagship beer. Highly drinkable with a long spicy finish from the ample hops. Very versatile with food.  ABV 5.5%

Scrimshaw Pilsner – A very clean and tasty lager with moderate bitterness and wispy vegetal hop flavors. Very pleasant and approachable. ABV 7.0%

Brother Thelonius – Great layered flavors permeate this Belgian-style abbey ale. Dried fruit aromas, Complex malt and fruit tastes. Finishes slightly sweet. ABV 9.4%

Old Rasputin – Regarded as one of the best Imperial Stouts anywhere. Dark, roasty, intense and dreamy. Hard to imagine anything better. ABV 9.0%.

Acme IPA – Fresh hop aromas. Good bitterness and sufficiently malty taste. Clean, dry and drinkable. ABV 6.5%

Pranqster Belgian Style Golden Ale – Clean floral nose. Fruity bitter spice flavors from yeast and hops. Long, dry pale malt finish. Very interesting. ABV 7.6%

Le Merle Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale – Don’t let the pale color fool you; rustic flavors abound. A bouquet garni plus orange peel spice. Dynamite. ABV 7.9%


 

Brewery provides northern beachhead

Location

Can’t miss it in the middle of Fort Brag along Highway 1. If heading north on North Main St., the production brewery will  be on the left and the taproom and grill will be immediately on your right. Ample parking is found in the Taproom lot.

Tours are suspended while the brewery undergoes an expansion. Call ahead to check on availability. Closed toe footwear must be worn. Sorry no flip flops.  Call ahead to reserve a place.

Address: 455 North Main St.Fort Brag, CA 95437

Phone: (707) 964-2739

Go To: North Coast Brewing Co. Web Site


North Coast Brewing Co. is very easy to find being located on the west side of Hwy 1 in Fort Bragg, CA.. The marker points to the brewery building. The restaurant and taproom are directly across the street..

The brewery is in a smart looking commercial-industrial building. In the spring and summer of 2010 it was undergoing a major expansion, adding two 500 barrel fermenters and more.

Inside the well-stocked Brewery Shop you will find shirts, hats, glassware and of course, North Coast beers to go.

A very interesting and informative Acme bottle exhibit sits in the entrance to the Brewery Shop, next door to the brewery. Old labels, new labels,and labels you’ve never seen before.

The Taproom and Grill are open daily for lunch and dinner.  In addition to bar seating there are a number of tables in the taproom. The grill occupies a separate, nicely decorated restaurant room.

The taproom placemat proudly announces what's on tap and what’s in your glass today. Be adventurous and try a sampler. You can select the number of samples right for you.

Grain storage silos stand behind the brewery building in Fort Bragg.

This cool lighted sign hangs on the taproom wall. The whale tail makes a distinctive logo for the brand.