North Coast Scrimshaw 6Pk

North Coast Scrimshaw 6Pk is a European-style pilsner from North Coast Brewing Co. in a six-pack of 12 oz bottles at 4.7% ABV. This clean, hop-balanced lager earned a Gold Medal at the 1992 Great American Beer Festival in the American Lager/Ale category and holds an 89-point "Highly Recommended" rating from the Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.7%  |  Origin: Fort Bragg, California  |  Style: Pilsner  |  IBU: 22  |  Brewery: North Coast Brewing Co.

Production & Heritage

North Coast Brewing Co. was founded in 1988 in the coastal town of Fort Bragg, California, and has built a reputation for European-inspired beers that respect Old World traditions. Scrimshaw is brewed with Munich malt — uncommon for an American pilsner — combined with two German noble hop varieties, Hallertauer and Tettnang, which contribute a restrained floral bitterness at 22 IBUs. The beer's name pays homage to the intricate ivory and bone engravings created by 19th-century seafarers, a nod to Fort Bragg's maritime heritage.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bready grain leads, followed by a faint hay-like dryness and a gentle touch of honeyed sweetness. A subtle floral hop note emerges as the beer warms slightly in the glass.

Taste: The entry is clean and grain-forward, with biscuit and cracker malt tones arriving on the mid-palate. A honey-like sweetness gives way to delicate floral hop bitterness that keeps things balanced without veering sharp. The Munich malt adds a layer of complexity rarely found in pilsners at this weight.

Finish: Dry and crisp with a short, refreshing close. Lingering cracker malt and a whisper of floral hops fade cleanly, inviting another sip.

How to Drink Scrimshaw

Scrimshaw drinks best cold from the bottle or poured into a pilsner glass at around 38–42°F to let the malt character fully express itself. It also works well as a cocktail component: try it in a Shandy mixed with fresh lemonade for a light summer drink; use it as the base for a Michelada where the dry finish pairs naturally with lime and hot sauce; or build a Beer Margarita by floating Scrimshaw over a classic margarita for effervescence and malt depth.

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions where a clean, easy-drinking pilsner complements food without competing
• Introducing craft beer to friends accustomed to macro lagers
• Beach or boat coolers that call for a sessionable, low-ABV option
• Pairing with light seafood dishes along the California coast theme

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Scrimshaw taste like? Scrimshaw delivers a bready, biscuit-forward malt character with a touch of honey sweetness, balanced by gentle floral hops and a dry, crisp finish. It drinks clean and light at 4.7% ABV with no lingering bitterness.

How does Scrimshaw compare to Trumer Pils? Both are California-brewed pilsners, but Scrimshaw uses Munich malt for a slightly richer, breadier body, while Trumer Pils tends to be more hop-forward and bone-dry in the classic Austrian tradition. Scrimshaw sits at 22 IBUs, making it marginally softer on the palate than Trumer's sharper hop bite.

Is Scrimshaw good for craft beer beginners? Scrimshaw is an excellent gateway craft beer because its flavor profile is approachable and clean, bridging the gap between mass-market lagers and more assertive craft styles. The low bitterness and light body make it immediately familiar without sacrificing complexity.

Where is Scrimshaw made? Scrimshaw is brewed at North Coast Brewing Co. in Fort Bragg, a small coastal city in Mendocino County, California. The brewery has operated there since its founding in 1988.

What foods pair well with Scrimshaw? Grilled white fish like halibut or sole benefits from the beer's dry finish. Fish tacos with lime crema echo its clean citrus-compatible character. Light salads with goat cheese match its subtle malt sweetness. Steamed mussels or clams work well against the bready backbone. Mild sausages like bratwurst complement the Munich malt without overpowering the beer.

What sizes does Scrimshaw come in? Scrimshaw is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz bottles, as well as individual 12 oz bottles and draft.

Is Scrimshaw worth the price? Scrimshaw positions as a value-tier craft pilsner, typically priced competitively against other regional craft lagers. For a GABF Gold Medal winner brewed with noble hops and Munich malt, it delivers well above its price class.

Why Scrimshaw?

Scrimshaw stands apart from the crowded American pilsner field because of its Munich malt backbone — a grain choice that adds biscuit complexity without weight. The dual noble hop bill of Hallertauer and Tettnang roots it firmly in European brewing tradition rather than the hop-heavy American craft norm. Its Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival confirmed what the beer's loyal following already knew: this is a pilsner that respects the style's origins while reflecting Northern California's coastal character. At 4.7% ABV, it remains one of the most reliably sessionable craft pilsners produced in the United States.