California Breweries History: North Coast Brewing Company The North Coast Brewing Co., a real pioneer in the microbrewery movement, opened in 1988 on California's rugged Mendocino coast. The North Coast Brewery has won more than 70 national and international awards over the last twelve years and was recently named "One of the 10 Best Breweries in the World" by the Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago. North Coast Brewing occupies a 17,000 sq. ft. brewing facility with an annual production capacity of 27,000 bbls. and also operates the adjacent Taproom and Grill restaurant. Red Seal Ale, Old Rasputin and the brewery's other brands are distributed in 30 states and are also exported to Europe and the Pacific Rim.