North Coast Brewing Co.

Two different servers complimented my shirt of a faded, blurry cat picture. Drove three hours from home just to go here - did not disappoint :)

(visited daytime 6 Jul 2024)

Main road slowed by traffic day of my visit. Parking was a bit tough to find at first (I wouldn't recommend trying to find a spot in the lot behind the brewery across the street - Skunk Train was doing big numbers)... Waiting list to get a table in the main room, but I snagged the only open seat at the bar. Ebb and flow to the crowd saw the bar crowd disperse then fill up again. My bartender seemed to be the only one pouring beer (for the whole establishment) and serving customers in that room, in addition to training and guiding a revolving door of young kids, one of whom - and I failed to seize my chance to admonish him - I witnessed attempt to blow the overflowing foam top off a tulip pour. Well, I never... At any rate, the bartender seemed stupidly swamped and had little space and time for banter, but she was polite, if having affect to her tone... Staff of kids, hmm...

The vibe of the place is great, with a sort of late 19th-century vibe, I could be wrong... pretty much all the North Coast classics available, except sadly for Old Stock; I got a nitro (smh) Rasputin, a small flight of brands I haven't had in years, a barrel-aged Rasputin, and was gifted a mis-pour of Scrimshaw... all beers had quality taste and appearance in appropriate, branded glassware... my plate of 1/2 shrimp 1/2 fish w/ chips (fish and chips was an unfortunate theme of this road trip) was pretty bangin' I must say... ended up chatting with customers seated next to me and had an even better time for it; the gal in the gift shop was friendly as well...

Glad to have finally paid a visit to the birthplace of one of the most life-changing beers (Old Rasputin) I've had the pleasure of drinking over and over again throughout the last 20+ years.

Very nice indoor and outdoor seating. We sat outside and it wasnt cold at all. Very cozy. The staff was very nice and knowledgeable. I had two flights, first one was IPAs and lagers l, the second strong ales and stouts. Had the barrel aged old Rasputin and it did not disappoint. Great place, great brews.

On the main drag. Lots of varnished wood, brass and ceramic tap handles make up the atmosphere. A very sociable guy sitting next to me, ordered three appetizers and shared them with any of us 6, at the bar. The roasted balsamic vinegar brussel sprouts, were a unanimous hit, an addictive finger food. Most any beer connoisseur at least on the west coast, knows of the very good beers these folks have been making since 1988. All of the 4 tasted were at least real good. The favorite of them was the Old Stock Ale.

My wife and I stopped here for dinner and to try their beers. The taproom is located along the main street thru town among other commercial businesses. Across the street is the brewing facility. There is a small parking lot but a portion of it is occupied by a large tent for outdoor seating. Street parking was plentiful when we were there on a Monday evening. The interior has a barroom to the right after entering, and a dining room to the left. The bar had a quaint pub feel to it, but the dining room, not so much, but it was okay. Another room has a retail store.

Our server must have been new because he didn't know whether the BBA Old Rasputin was available having just been released a week or so ago, and he didn't seem to understand my question. He brought the bartender who said the BBA Raspy was available by the bottle, so I ordered that along with a sampler flight of 4 beers. All of the beers on the menu are regular beers that are available in bottles (although I was not familiar with one of them), but it's been a long time since I've had any of them so that didn't matter. All were brewed well to style, but none stood out, not even the BBA Raspy. (It tasted too young.)

The food that we ordered was not impressive at all, although the clam chowder was very, very good. Maybe we just ordered the wrong things. This is an okay place to visit but I wouldn't make it a destination target.