North Coast Scrimshaw 6Pk Cans

North Coast Scrimshaw 6Pk Cans is a German-style pilsner from North Coast Brewing Co. packaged as six 12 oz cans at 4.7% ABV. Scored 92 points by The Beer Connoisseur under BJCP German Pilsner guidelines, Scrimshaw distinguishes itself from the crowded American craft-lager field with an uncommon Munich malt backbone and a dual noble hop bill that roots the beer firmly in European brewing tradition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.7%  |  IBU: 22  |  Origin: Fort Bragg, Mendocino County, California  |  Style: German-Style Pilsner  |  Brewery: North Coast Brewing Co. (est. 1988)

Production & Heritage

North Coast Brewing Co. opened in 1988 in the historic coastal town of Fort Bragg on California's Mendocino Coast. Scrimshaw is built on Munich malt—an atypical grain choice for American-brewed pilsners—that lends biscuit complexity without adding excessive body. The hop bill relies exclusively on two German noble varieties, Hallertauer and Tettnang, which contribute a restrained floral and grassy bitterness at a gentle 22 IBUs. The result is a pilsner brewed, as the brewery states, "in the finest European tradition," prioritizing balance and drinkability over the hop-forward intensity that defines much of the American craft landscape.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bready grain leads, followed by a faint hay-like dryness and a gentle note of honeyed sweetness. As the beer warms slightly, a subtle floral hop character emerges from the Hallertauer and Tettnang additions.

Taste: Biscuit sweetness and cracker-like malt open the palate, layered with a delicate touch of honey. Mid-palate, the floral hop character arrives alongside a whisper of white pepper, providing measured bitterness that keeps the beer balanced and complex without trending sweet. The Munich malt gives the body slightly more depth than a standard American-brewed pilsner delivers.

Finish: Crisp and slightly dry, with sparkling carbonation that lifts the malt weight cleanly off the tongue. A lingering grain note fades smoothly, leaving the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip.

How to Drink Scrimshaw

Serve chilled at 40–45°F, ideally poured into a pilsner glass to showcase the pale gold color and allow the subtle hop aromatics to open up; drinking straight from the can works well for casual settings. Scrimshaw is a natural fit for a Shandy, where its biscuit malt sweetness pairs naturally with fresh lemonade for a warm-weather refresher. It also holds up in a Michelada—the Munich malt body balances lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire without getting lost. Try it in a Radler with grapefruit juice, where the floral noble hops complement the citrus rather than compete with it.

Best For

• Introducing a craft-curious drinker to German-style lagers
• Pairing alongside grilled fish or shrimp on a coastal evening
• Stocking a cooler for a backyard gathering that calls for sessionable, low-ABV beer
• A weeknight pilsner that rewards a slower pour and actual attention

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Scrimshaw taste like? Scrimshaw leads with biscuit and cracker malt sweetness from its Munich malt base, followed by a gentle floral and slightly peppery hop character. It finishes crisp, clean, and slightly dry with sparkling carbonation.

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 is more hop-forward and bone-dry in the classic Austrian tradition. At 22 IBUs, Scrimshaw sits marginally softer on the palate than Trumer's sharper hop bite.

Is Scrimshaw good for easy drinking? At 4.7% ABV and 22 IBUs, Scrimshaw is a highly sessionable pilsner with enough malt complexity to stay interesting across multiple cans. It works equally well as a lawnmower beer or as a slower, more contemplative pour.

Where is Scrimshaw made? Scrimshaw is brewed by North Coast Brewing Co. in Fort Bragg, a coastal town in Mendocino County on Northern California's rugged shoreline. The brewery has operated from this location since its founding in 1988.

What foods pair well with Scrimshaw? Grilled white fish and shrimp tacos highlight the beer's clean malt character. A charcuterie board with mild cheeses and crusty bread echoes its biscuit notes. Lightly dressed green salads and fish and chips both benefit from Scrimshaw's dry, carbonated finish cutting through richness. Soft pretzels with mustard mirror the Munich malt backbone directly.

What sizes does Scrimshaw come in? This listing is a 6-pack of 12 oz cans; Scrimshaw is also widely available in 12 oz bottles and on draft at select locations.

Is Scrimshaw worth the price? Scrimshaw positions as an everyday craft pilsner—priced in the accessible tier for a craft 6-pack while delivering Munich malt complexity and noble hop character that most macro-brewed pilsners cannot match. Its multiple GABF Gold Medals and 92-point score from The Beer Connoisseur reinforce genuine quality at its price tier.

Why Scrimshaw?

Scrimshaw has earned recognition across decades of competition, including Gold Medals at the 1992 and 1996 Great American Beer Festival and multiple medals at the World Beer Championships in Chicago. The Beer Connoisseur's 92-point judge's review confirms it holds up under formal BJCP scrutiny, not just casual drinking. What sets it apart from the growing wave of American-made pilsners is the Munich malt grain bill—a decision that adds genuine biscuit depth without sacrificing the crispness the style demands. Paired with Hallertauer and Tettnang hops rather than trendier American varieties, Scrimshaw remains one of the most European-rooted pilsners brewed on the West Coast.