In a city where craft beer is everywhere, a golden brew holds a special place in the hearts of San Diegans. Within the name of the beer is a tribute to a beloved local hero.

It’s called .394 Pale Ale .

In 1994, Tony Gwynn batted .394, a career high good for one of his eight National League batting titles. It’s the highest batting average in the NL during the past 95 years. If you know, you know.

“In San Diego, people know what .394 is,” said Kristen Ballinger, marketing director for AleSmith, the brewer. “If it wasn’t a strike-shortened season, it would have been .400.”

Three decades later, the magic of a batting title or a .400 season has virtually disappeared from the major leagues.

And a traditional standard of excellence now is an endangered species: the .300 batting average,

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