Strawberry Sumac Bottle Release
- Feb 7, 2020
- 1 min read
We have a new addition to the collection of Scratch sour beers: 2020's Strawberry Sumac.
Many of you are familiar with our Strawberry Rhubarb, a beer we've made for the past couple of years with strawberries and rhubarb that pop up in unison in the spring. The torrential rains and unusual climate during last year's spring meant that there was virtually no rhubarb across the entire state, from local farmers here in Southern Illinois to established farms with decades-old plants in central Illinois. We were unable to source rhubarb from our farm or from over a dozen phone calls to other farmers. Even strawberries were difficult to find in abundance. We got as many as we could and froze them until just the right complement came around for our beer. Enter sumac.
Half a year later as the growing season was winding down, we harvested a number of sumac cones to keep on hand for beer. We've had incredible success with sumac in sours, as it lends a delightful tart cherry-like finish. (Some may be lucky enough to have procured a bottle of our Sumac in the past.) This year we decided to combine sumac and strawberry into one powerhouse sour beer--what an incredible combination they made! We made a slightly smaller batch this year so that we could add more strawberries per barrel of beer and finished the boil with a healthy dose of sumac. The result is a bright, tart beer, brewed as always without hops; with the aroma of spring berries and a cherry pie-like finish.
The beer is available today in our tasting room for $17 per 500 ml bottle.
What a creative solution to a tough harvest season! Combining late-season sumac with frozen spring berries sounds like a brilliant flavor pivot—that cherry pie-like finish must balance the tartness so well. For anyone interested in unique flavor pairings and lifestyle communities like fan4u, seeing farms adapt like this is always inspiring. Can’t wait to grab a bottle from the tasting room!
Adaptability in brewing is everything! It is fascinating how a tough spring season led to such a unique combination with the sumac turning a seasonal challenge into a powerhouse sour beer sounds like a brilliant pivot. I love how closely your process aligns with the natural flow of the seasons. Just as we look to nature or even daily patterns like a horoscope today astrology read on Astroma to stay aligned with unexpected timing and shifts, it is inspiring to see a craft brewery roll with nature's punches and create something even more special. Can't wait to try a bottle!
Accessibility is an important feature of JFK Airport. Elevators, escalators, accessible restrooms, family-friendly facilities, wheelchair assistance, and passenger support services are available throughout the terminals to accommodate travelers with different needs. Airport information desks and customer service representatives are available to answer questions and assist passengers during their visit.
Great post. I really enjoyed reading this article and found the information extremely useful and well organized.
Ocean cruising offers an ideal solution by transforming travel into a seamless, multi-generational floating paradise. Modern cruise ships feature incredible onboard waterparks, Broadway-caliber entertainment, world-class dining, and age-specific youth clubs, ensuring every member of the family has an unforgettable experience. Choosing the best cruise ships for family allows travelers to visit breathtaking destinations around the globe while unpacking only once.
Thank you for writing such a post. I really like that you shared this with us. I will look forward to reading more of your articles.
This new Strawberry Sumac sour sounds amazing—love the cherry-pie finish from the sumac! Wish I could grab a bottle. Also, the berry aroma with no hops is a bold move that clearly paid off. 🍓✨ For more weird and wonderful finds, check out cursed images.