North Coast Brewing Co. (NCBC) is kicking off the spring season with the release of Acme Beer.

Acme Beer is brewed as an homage to the original beer produced in 1907, the company says. Once the leading California-grown brand, Acme originally brewed only in San Francisco before expanding in 1935 to a second facility in Los Angeles, it notes. Acme later changed hands and in the late 1980s, it was briefly revived by a microbrewery near Santa Rosa, Calif.

Dedicated to preserving California's brewing heritage and the Acme beer brand, North Coast founders Mark Ruedrich and Tom Allen acquired trademark rights to the iconic Acme brand in 1995.

“Before anyone had conceived of North Coast Brewing Co., founding partner Tom Allen and I were interested in acquiring the rights to the Acme brand name so that we could honor the tradition of making this great beer,” Ruedrich said in a statement.

NCBC Brewmaster Chuck Martins, added: “Acme Beer is fermented cold with a lager yeast strain. We selected this yeast strain to spotlight the bready, biscuity malt character. It is light-bodied, straw-colored, and firmly bittered for a dry, thirst-quenching palate."

The 4.4% ABV makes Acme Beer ideal for session drinking. The beer is a true lager, hopped, as were the original pilsners from central Europe, with a noble hop variety that produces a very subtle spicy/floral character on the aroma, the company says. The yeast strain contributes a European character, reminiscent of malted grains, it adds.

Packaged in a 12-ounce can, Acme Beer is available for purchase year round. Store locators can be found by visiting the company’s website.

www.northcoastbrewing.com