Great wine aside, Mendocino County is a holy destination for beer worshipers. With a number of craft microbreweries along the coast and in Ukiah and Anderson Valley, the selection of exceptional local brews per capita is impressive. Fort Bragg’s own North Coast Brewery was recently applauded for concocting the #8 stout in North America by the New York Times. And 3 of the top 10 are from Mendocino County!

In a review which questions the very definition of a stout, only the truest stouts are recognized – those that honor laws of beer. North Coast Brewery passed the test. The “Old No. 38 Stout” is named after a historic steam engine that used to ride the California Western Railway route from Fort Bragg to Willits. Since I moved to the Coast it has also become one of my favorite beers – but I don’t expect that my  draw national attention…

You’ll just have to try it for yourself. If you are visiting Fort Bragg, you can find Old No. 38 on tap at the Brewery, located downtown in the historic shopping district. Just follow the scent of fresh hops!