Basil IPA
Scratch Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

It foamed extensively for about 5 minutes much like a geyser when opened... then tasted much like poorly made liquid bread. Probably the worst beer I have had.

 

 

 

i really loved this beer, brewed with a couple of kinds of basil and some honey, its a smart recipe and a well executed one, although like their blueberry, which i also had recently, this felt a little raw, less refined than their best beers have been. its murky and thick on the pour, not a ton of visible sediment, but the pale wheaty looking brew is rather dense under its inch and a half high white head. the aroma is the best part, the lemon basil is forward as can be, super natural, essential oily, very fresh, and definitely from the earth, organic and real. the other basil is there too, more italian foody, with a vegetal aspect to it and a real culinary appeal. the honey smells and tastes largely fermented out, but there is a floral aspect left behind thats quite pleasant, and it serves to lighten this one up a little bit from its grainy heaviness. the basil tastes great in the flavor too, just a tad less pungent than in the nose, but still really forward and nature, such a cool feature. what lags for a me a little bit are the hops, this almost seems more like a basil siason, with such a frothy raw wheaty base, and the yeast character in here too, farmy and old worldy, its not particularly hoppy by any ipa standards that i am aware of. that said, the overall flavor is exceptional if i give up on the ipa aspect, and scratch has again left us with a beer that is super delicious and wholly unique. this one was super expensive for what it is, but i loved the beer overall. a little cleaning up and some more hops and this would be positively next level!

 

 

Pale yellow, mostly transparent appearance. Huge organic basil and earth aroma. Delicate malt palate beneath a wealth of spicy basil. No hop character noticed but the basil provides plenty of spice resembling a mild bitterness. Moderate body with low carbonation. Bordering on a creamy mouthfeel. Another unique and stellar brew from Scratch.

 

L - slightly opaque, burnt orange-gold with a fluffy white two-finger head
S - lemon, basil, clove,
T - grassy, lemon, saison-like, honey is present but sweetness is not overpowering, peppery finish
F - medium body, astringent, dry
O - unique, well integrated ingredients, tastes closer to a saison than an IPA