Scratch Brewing Company

I have never seen any place like this. It's like a working farm that also sells beer and a few food items. Outdoorsy natural vibe with plants everywhere. Worth going just because of how unique it is. The beer was above average and service was slow with a pretty good line every time you want a beer, water or food. Just go, it's pretty hard to describe this place.

In the middle of nowhere - a few miles down some country roads (While driving I've had to avoid dogs, cats, possums, squirrels, rabbits, and deer before, but this was the first time I've had to swerve to avoid a pot-bellied pig). Might think you're lost but keep going - there's a sign at the intersection of Marlboro and Thompson Rd. Rustic building in the woods. I had great service but I was the only one there. No TVs, just some light music playing - a great place to relax and just enjoy nature. Wish I could have stayed longer.

Went here for my first Fathers Day. Service was slow (but it had a vibe where that should be expected) Really enjoyable. I love that they forage/farm. Beers were delicious. Ambiance was great. Food was solid. Very cool place. Can’t wait to go again.

They only take cash, but have an ATM on the premises. The cheese and pizza are awesome. The beer is divine. A hole in the wall outdoors type of place with a fire outside you can sit by.

Cool little place off the beaten path. I have been wanting to go here for a while, just couldn’t find the time. Glad I did, nice selection of different beers. I liked all I tried.

Write down the directions. When I looked up the turn-off from the highway on StreetView, there was no road sign, so at least that’s been remedied, but you’ll still catch yourself thinking "Maybe I’m wrong." Just keep driving and you’ll see the little road and their sign then looking at you. These guys are doing some really, really cool stuff. They take what they can find and grow and see what kind of beer they can make from it. They do saisons in the summer and biere de gardes in the winter because of the groundwater temperature. They brew beers with spicebush, carrots, sassafras, file (as in what’s used in some rouxs), wild ginger... And they grow their own hops. That said, you are not going to find a really hoppy beer here, just because of the way these hops turn out in such a wet climate. They also stated that they don’t like to to do beers that are too big, just because they want to keep it palatable. I tried all but their roggenbier, and my favorite was the honey ale, partially because it didn’t taste like a honey ale. You could detect honey in the mouth feel, but the taste was all other ingredients, mostly the ginger and spicebush. Interesting to the point that you could keep drinking it just to try to pin down the other flavors you’re getting. The basil pale was also interesting, just because it was such a strong basil flavor, but not in a gross way. The only one I didn’t like was their only higher ABV, which had been aged in a chambourcin barrel. It tasted like wine and not in a good way. Atmosphere was really comfortable. You’re out in the middle of no where, so it’s super quiet and peaceful. They have a nice little covered patio with picnic tables, and a well-air-conditioned interior with a quarter-circle bar seating about eight. They do have limited food, including this big block of local goat cheese that they were raving about. Too big for 1-2, but you could probably handle it with 4-6. They do some beer festivals and will be at GABF this year. They’ve also gone on tap (I think for the first time) at the new beer bar in Murphysboro. This is well worth your time. If you’re coming through for wine, please do stop here. Some of this stuff will just blow you away.

Stopped in for my second visit yesterday and they continue to amaze. Everything they do is so unique and natural. Their creativity is off the charts in both their beer and their property. Everything is subtle but so unique and intelligent. Every beer they offer is this way. I have added a few of their beers here and usually have the challenge of deciding on a style. Almost nothing they brew fits easily into a style description. They have 6 or 8 of their beers on draft and the draft list constantly changes with new offerings. I love to see their draft handles which are made out of simple sticks but seem to define what the brewery and the people behind it well. Such subtle creativity reigns here. Yesterday my wife and I split an appetizer sampler plate which consisted of two different kinds of bread, with olive oil to dip one into. Three of kinds of tomatoes that were grown onsite, summer sausage slices and goat cheese. They don’t yet cook food but are building an outdoor brick oven and I cannot wait to see what comes out of it. My guess is they will grind up some roots, throw in some tree bark, grab a few leaves and make something amazingly delicious and unique. I am only partly kidding. I cannot wait to visit Scratch Brewing again. It has quickly become my favorite brewer because of the beer, the people, and the property.

Better have a good GPS or a good map because this place is off the beaten path. I’m talking this place is way back in the woods. Once you find it and get there it’s quite a lovely place. The small bar and brewery are attached in the same building with seating inside and out. You are way back in the woods at this place and you can really feel one with nature. They have about 8 beers on tap and all are made fire brewed with different herbs and spices. Beers are $5 or $6 for a pint or $1.50 for a sample at the small indoor bar. Probably best to get a few of the unique offerings to take outside on a lovely day while roosters cock a doodle doo off in the distance.

The place is pretty cool looking inside and out. They are way out in the middle of nowhere at the end of a road. 3 tables inside and lots of seating outside. They have a little hop farm right up front, along with some chickens. Prices were relatively reasonable. They have a 3-tier pricing system that gets higher as the beers become more complex. Decent selection, lots of beers made with ingredients ive never tried before. Food is minimal right now because they are still working on a brick oven. We had a tray of fancy cheese. Service is lacking here though. When we walked in we were greeted and handed a menu. We sat at our table for a while thinking someone may come over to explain the beers or take an order...no. walked up to the bar and waited while the bartender finished multiple conversations before finally being served. Same thing happened when we ordered the fancy cheese. No one even told us which one was which. It almost seemed like we weren’t in the club with the bartender so we were ignored longer than most. Overall, not bad. The service left a bad taste in my mouth but the beer was ok. Ill just chalk it up to the fact that they are relatively new.