Oyster Weiss
Scratch Brewing Company

 

Murky and bubbly bright golden pour. I love how creative scratch is, and right off the nose I knew this was going to be an odd yet fun one. Mushroom, lemon, apple esters, hay, slightly tart wheat, sea salt, and very slight wet earth in the nose. Taste adds this dimension of balsamic, pear and slight spice. Not as earthy as expected, very bright. Almost wondered if higher carbonated would elevate more or muddled the nuance of the mushroom.

 

Much less malt and earthy flavor in the bottle. Very much comes off as a Berliner Weisse. Lemon, acidic, turmeric, light and clean, apple cider vinegar, unmistakable Scratch yeast profile

I remember more complexity on draft but this is still solid for the style. Not detecting the mushroom contribution

 

 

Imagination seems to have no bounds. The brewers of Scratch certainly live up to their name with a clever Berlinerweisse-style ale with a malty undertow in support of oyster and mushroom and a cornucopia of spice from turmeric to allspice

The curious character starts with a charming and quite normal glowing bulb of yellow. Creamy with its froth and tart to the nose, a sourish tinge of lemon, apple and lime stew with a tea-like savory presence. Sweet and bready flavors are caught between sweetheart candy and sourdough.

As the flavors develop, its wheaten underpinnings remain in control of taste. Breadiness relaxes slightly and its tartness builds, but never allows its spice or savory melody to dominate. Restrained tea-like flavors are spicy with cinnamon, nutmeg and incense. A delicate brine of the sea has of musken finish with a plaster-like feel.

Finishing tart, creamy and dry, there's tangibles that make qualifying tough. Tight but delicate in texture, a linger of green apple, exotic chai tea and a savory black tea add complexity to any oyster character and offer a light distraction from its salinity. Its a perfect beer for both brining and pairing with mussels or clams of any order or a simple pasta piccata.