The Scratch Thread

Procrastinating with updating this thread. We visited 3 weeks ago. Absolutely gorgeous weather for the first weekend in February. I wore a hoodie and was too warm.



Smoked Apple Ale--This beer was absolutely wonderful. There was a subtle smokiness similar that by a touch of smoked malt, but it was from the apples that were smoked. A lightly tart farmhouse ale with apple and smoke, with none of the elements overpowering.

Pear Farmhouse Ale--Fairly light on the pear (which is a less flavorful fruit, I suppose), and a pretty standard farmhouse. Nice beer for the unusually warm day before Groundhog's Day.

Winter Warmer--Oh my, was this wonderful. I'll copy Scratch's description: "strong dark ale brewed with warming spices from our garden and woods: ginger, cedar, spicebush, and sweet clover. roast, caramel, and gingerbread flavors with a spicy warm finish. 8.7% abv" Every element described was there. What a flavorful, yet very complex beer. I brought home a growler full and enjoyed it over the next two nights.

Hickory Leaf Ale-A fairly straightforward amber, lightly hoppy, with an earthiness from the leaves.



Oak-aged Sour Rye--I'll be honest, with the Smoked Apple and Winter Warmer turning out to be two new favorites, I was disappointed I chose this to get a whole glass of. But it was tasty. Mostly tartness, with a hint of rye spice and a hint of oak.



I had this last weekend. Everything I loved about the regular Blackberry Lavender (very sour, loads of blackberry, loads of lavender), with an added layer of red wine notes from the barrel. What a fantastic beer. Well, well worth the price. Very few beers, if any, like this, and so delicious.

The anniversary party is a week away. The beer list looks awesome!

 

Scratch's Sixth anniversary party was Saturday. It's hard to believe it's been that long! Just about four years since my first visit. They have really nailed down their craft in that time, wholly embracing what makes them unique. Though the weather was significantly colder than when we visited a month earlier, the beer list Saturday was stellar. Some old favorites and some new favorites.



I won't get into tasting notes, because I didn't keep many and I would be here all night. But here's what I tried:

Barrel-aged Black Cherry (red wine barrel)
Elderberry Old Ale (tasted like maybe it had been aged a couple years)
Bier de Peche (Jester King collab)
Edible Island (Arizona Wilderness collab)
Crimson Clover (Fullsteam collab)
Ash (Brasserie du Brabant collab)
Barrel-aged Apple (red wine barrel)
Barrel-aged Wild Grapevine (red wine barrel)
Barrel-aged Ginger (whiskey barrel)
Sumac
Oyster Weiss (GABF gold winner)
Blackberry Lavender (one of my absolute favorite beers)

and a stein full of Dry-Hopped Illinois Farmhouse beer (from a firkin that Aaron said had been sitting outside in the same spot for a day and a half), which was surprisingly hoppy, and absolutely delicious. And I could say the same for just about every beer I tried. Such a variety of flavors, and all showcasing Scratch at the top of their game.

I spoke a bit with Aaron and Marika, finally got them to sign my Homebrewers Almanac, ate some delicious Cajun-inspired food, and chatted with fellow Scratch fans from near and far. One of my favorite events every year.

 

I sampled this previously at the brewery a year and a half ago, but didn't really remember it. It's one I'll definitely have again next time I come across it. Very woody, juniper is strong. Saison-like with a hint of tartness, maybe a hint of funk. Flavorful, complex beer. One of the best "woody" Scratch beers.