Chestnut & Oak
Scratch Brewing Company

an absolutely epic beer from one of my favorites anywhere, my access has dried up, so they are even more special now, scored this at a bottle shop in astoria this winter if i remember right, finally opened it up, what an absolute gem, up there with the best i have ever had from these guys, which is saying something, because they have been the makers of some of my all time favorite beers, really special stuff. an amber saison at its core that has some tang to it, a little wild funk, and sort of presents like a well done biere de garde, with that darker malt really adding a lot, cocoa, bran, toffee, and maple notes to it, sweet for a flash but then with the yeast also a touch astringent, i wont call it sour because the richness of the malt and the chestnut and oak are not at all broken down by it, its too mild for that, kind of works to keep it from being too sweet or heavy, although this is instantly cozy to me, super autumnal, flannel jacket splitting firewood as leaves fall vibes, and the head on it is gorgeous, off white, bottle conditioned looking, tiny bubbles, light as air, rises as high as i want it to every time i top up my glass from the bottle, really shiny and polished overall, very little sediment in the bottom. this is aged on roasted chestnuts and oak heartwood, its foresty and soil-esque, earthy almost beyond the definition of the term. the sweet interior element of the oak is apparent to me in nose and taste, almost romantic, fresh split oak logs and younger wetter wood too, fallen leaves, wonderful warm breadiness from the grain, the chestnuts bring definite roast and an almond note, a cooked and concentrated vibe to this, also a fattiness, like i can feel the nutrients of it as i drink it, really mature funk, the wood makes it seem almost barrel aged, vinous character as it warms adds to that, dry cocoa, so well grounded, just sweet enough with a brown sugar thing. my senses get quite a bit more oak than chestnut, and in typical scratch fashion, this is about as good a wood profile as i have ever known in a beer, like from the forest not from a cooperage, epic. the chestnut is still there though, slightly oily, deep november, festive, faint hazelnut and raisin with it, old saison yeast, younger brett, its a familiar profile to some extent from these guys, but not as sour as their sours nor as funky as their most funky, but complex and really layered, it all comes together so well. effervescent texture with medium body, tangy and sweet, rustic but impossibly well constructed, cant say enough about this one, i will never forget it. possible beer of the year for me this year...