On August 17th, we raise a glass to 37 incredible years of craft, community, and growth. What began as a passion project in our founding Brewmaster Mark Ruedrich’s garage has grown into something far beyond what we ever imagined. From opening our Pub with nothing more than the simple goal of serving good beer and good food, to building our full-scale brewhouse across the street in 1994, every step of this journey has been shaped by the people who’ve walked through our doors. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re taking a look back at where it all started…and how far we’ve come.
Beer History Begins: From England to a Garage in California
The story of North Coast Brewing Company begins with founding Brewmaster Mark Ruedrich’s time living in Devon, England in his 20’s. It was there that he developed a real taste for “good beer”. “When we got back to California, I realized that if I was going to find a good beer like I had been accustomed to drinking in England, I was going to have to learn to make beer myself.”
In 1979, he started making beer in his garage for himself and friends. One of Mark’s early brews was what became Old No. 38 stout. “I made it first in my garage…it took two weeks to get it to ferment.” Mark recalls. He knew he was onto something when his stout received rave reviews from his friends. “I’d go out (in town) and people would say ‘I tried that from the garage!’ It was very popular.”
From there, Mark knew he had to open a pub to bring the beer to a wider audience. In the beginning, his main goal was to create a roadhouse where people could get a bite to eat and a good beer. He found a building available in town and got to work on a comprehensive restoration. Mark recalls being handed the keys, assembling a small work team, and giving instructions to “tear it out, build the entire kitchen, and set up the bar.” He even traveled to Sheffield, England, to purchase the seven-barrel tanks that would become the backbone of our early brewing operation, long before kegs were part of the equation.
The building itself has a rich history. It was first built as the local mortuary, owned and operated by Grace T Cannarr in the 1930s and 40s. After its time as a mortuary, the building was owned by the Presbyterian Church and, for several years, leased to College of the Redwoods. During that time, the space even hosted classrooms, with makeshift cubicles and temporary setups where a bar would later stand.
From Pub Batches to a Full Brewhouse
“When we first opened the Pub we served three beers – none of them ours,” Mark remembers. “It took two to three weeks before we had all the draft ready. Old No. 38 was the first beer we served in the Pub, a week before Scrimshaw and Red Seal.” The Pub at North Coast Brewing Company opened its doors on August 17th, 1988, and a grand opening was held a month later when all the beer was ready. In the early days, the beer was brewed in the Pub’s center room, now home to the Brewery Shop.
The beer was a hit, and soon Mark and co-founder Tom Allen were looking to expand. The opportunity came in 1994, when they turned their eyes to the empty lot just across Main Street. Envisioning a brewhouse built from the ground up, they broke ground in May, working all the way to November 1994, when the brewhouse first opened its doors for production. This was a big step, paving the way for us to expand our brewing, explore fresh ideas, and elevate our craft, all while remaining connected to the Pub where it all began. The new brewhouse became a natural extension of our community-focused approach, allowing more people than ever to experience our beers straight from the source.
In 1994, Sheila Martins first walked through our doors as a temporary receptionist, filling in for a two-week vacation. But as fate would have it, the original receptionist never returned…and Sheila never left. She quickly fell in love with the energy of the brewery, and thirty-one years later, she now serves as our VP of Admin & Operations. Together she and her husband Chuck Martins, our current Brewmaster and thirty-three year NCBC alum, continue to be the heart and soul of our team. Their passion, dedication, and leadership have played a huge role in shaping who we are today.
Beer History of Tomorrow: What’s Brewing Next?
As we continue to grow, we’re excited to embrace new opportunities while honoring our roots. Earlier this year, we installed a state-of-the-art canning line, bringing a new level of efficiency and flexibility to our brewing process. Of course, we couldn’t wait to put two favorites into cans on our new line: PranQster and the classic Red Seal Ale, which has been with us from the beginning. And if you’re a fan of the bottles, don’t worry! Those aren’t going anywhere.
As we raise a glass to 37 years, we are deeply grateful for everyone who’s been part of the ride: our team, our loyal fans, and the community that’s supported us since the garage days. Here’s to the next chapter, the next brew, and the next 37 years of beer history together.
