5
Scratch Brewing Company

 

bottle shared around at the brewery when we visited, one of the better wild beers i have had from these guys, the better parts of their culture seemingly more developed while the less desirable elements (for me at least), seem way reduced compared to some of their others. its cleaner on the sourness, funkier on the brett without being sweaty or young, and the whole thing just sparkles. its simple and wheat based, golden in color with pretty good clarity until the bottom of the bottle and a rising white head, more lively than just about everything else we had in here. i smell and taste the juniper and the hops right away, a little spicy and very fragrant, earthy, and fresh. a gin sort of botanical freshness to this, traces of mint and even dried oregano too, steeped like tea with some green bitterness to it and then a champagne sort of fruitiness at the end with the juniper. the yeast seems way more refined to me than it usually does in their wild beer, a cleaner brighter bacterial aspect is what i like the best, subtle lemon and funky bread. great carbonation here, dry in the finish and almost crisp for how funky and complex it is, some of the herbs linger, but its very tidy and very drinkable. we had a blast with this bottle, such a cool herbal brew really professionally done. one of my favorites from our visit!