North Coast Brewing Co. was founded in 1988 in the historic town of Fort Bragg on California’s rugged Mendocino Coast. Under the leadership of Brewmaster Mark Ruedrich, it has developed an international reputation for producing exceptional quality beers that are distributed nationally, in Asia and Europe. The brewery has been awarded more than 80 Gold and Silver Medals in national and international tasting competitions in Denver, Chicago, Stockholm, Rio de Janeiro and elsewhere. It has been named “One of the 10 Best Breweries in the World” by the Beverage Testing Institute, based on its blind professional tasting. The Brewery Taproom has evolved into a popular north coast tourist destination. The restaurant is a great place to discover and enjoy beer and food pairings, and specializes in brick oven pizzas, fresh salads and a variety of daily specials. The gift shop is open seven days a week, offering beer gear, clothing, memorabilia and North Coast brews. 

Virtually all North Coast Brewing brands have been singled out for recognition as superior. Its award winners include Ruedrich’s Red Seal Ale, Scrimshaw Pilsner, Old No. 38 Stout, Blue Star Wheat Beer, Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout, PranQster Belgian Style Golden Ale, Brother Thelonious Belgian Style Abbey Ale and Le Merle Belgian Style Saison Ale. It is renowned for its aged ales, including Old Stock Cellar Reserve, Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin and Grand Cru. In 1994, North Coast acquired the trademark rights to Acme beer, the iconic California brand with a history dating back to the 1860s, and now produces Acme Pale Ale and Acme IPA, which have also received awards.

As a “green company,” North Coast Brewing has been a conscientious recycler, keeping land fill waste at a minimum. Tons of packaging materials are recycled every year, spent grain from the brewing process is given to local farmers as animal feed and the used hops is given to gardeners for use as mulch. The brewery has conservation measures in place to minimize electrical use for lighting and water-heating purposes, and is currently investigating solar power opportunities.

The company is ardently committed to the performance of jazz and jazz education. Since the introduction of Brother Thelonious Abbey Style Belgian Ale in 2006, the company has donated a portion of the proceeds from every case, keg and Brother Thelonious branded item it sells to the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, which allows the world’s most promising jazz musicians to study free of charge under the tutelage of America’s jazz masters. NCBC has donated over $500,000 to the Institute in the last six years. North Coast is the official and exclusive beer sponsor of the Monterey Jazz Festival, a major sponsor of SFJAZZ, the Presenting Sponsor of the Mendocino Music Festival, and a generous supporter of the Rhythm & Ribs Jazz and Blues Festival, the American Jazz Museum, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, the Mendocino Coast Jazz Society and the Redwood Jazz Alliance, amongst others. The brew pub has been a performance space since 1988, providing a venue for local jazz musicians to perform. 

In addition North Coast Brewing is committed to enhancing and enriching the quality of life of residents of the North Coast community and supports numerous non-profit organizations that bring cultural, environmental, educational, and health related resources to Mendocino County.