Scratch Brewing in Ava

An awesome place tucked away in the middle of nowhere with some of the most unique beers you will find anywhere in the country. You are almost guaranteed to try something here that you've never had anywhere else before.

Outstanding beer! Yes it's remote, and they have limited hours etc. But their product is amazing. I have had several of their beers, and they are without question the best of their class.The staff goes out of their way to explain their process and product. Well deserving of the high ratings they receive.

Scratch Brewing is fantastic. The beers are unique and thoughtfully brewed. I got the barrel aged burdock, and it was so wonderful I had to buy a bottle before leaving. We got the appetizer platter, and everything was delicious: the bread was crusty and soft; the pickled celery and tomatoes were tart and mouthwatering; and the brie was nicely melted. The pizzas were also great, and baked in a brick oven. Aaron has built a really special place with relaxing outdoor seating; you can really just sit back, sip a beer, and listen to the sounds of nature. Love this place and can't wait to go back.

We were the only ones there (probably because it was a winter Monday night) but the staff was great and definitely a spot you should stop! So unique and so intriguing in all aspects, their beer is made from local natural products found on their land and the whole place is quaint and chill. Seriously, drive out of your way to make a stop!

Rustic, unique, comfortable and fun.

It's cash only, just so everyone is aware. Bring lots of it because everything is amazing. All nine beers on tap were nine of the best beers I've ever had. So unique and unusual from what is found at breweries back home. We only had the pickle platter to eat, but it was awesome—salty and sour, spicy and flavorful. The pizza smelled really good too. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to get out of their comfort zone of IPAs and/or stouts.

Great place with exceptional staff. Good variety on tap. Wish they had more bottled but still great!!

Very unique and interesting place. Beers are made with naturally grown plants, herbs, etc. Their sourdough bread, pizza, and pretzels are phenomenal.

Great local brewery with local ingredients and foraged ingredients, one of a kind!!!

Delicious, local beer that is very unique! Great quaint and outdoorsy atmosphere!

Absolutely my favorite place on Earth to have a beer.

Now that I have been to Scratch, I am busy thinking of when I will be able to come back next. Drove down from Chicago for a weekend trip. It is worth the drive. Go, hike, canoe, and drink beer at Scratch every day. Food and atmosphere are awesome as well.

Good beer, awesome scenery :)

Had the pleasure of finishing work in the area right before scratch closed for the day and was able to rush over to pick up a couple bottles. Cash only

One of the most unique brewing establishments you will ever encounter and enjoy. The owners and operators pour their hearts & pasdion into their art, and into your glass with each special brew. Read the menu and be prepared to be awed at the array of tasty combinations in every recipe. There's lots of care in the design and layout of the drinking and eating areas, which helps to contribute to an overall sense of "special." Worth the drive, you'll be back again! 🤗

Chances are good that you already know what I'm going to say -- amazing concept, great beers, and well worth the trip for true beer fans. Every time I leave here I learn something about beer or the mix of flavors that make up their ales. There's a reason that Scratch has developed the reputation that it has; head on over and see why!

It truly is worth making the trek to Scratch. Such a unique and amazing place!

The concept is extremely trending-sourcing items from the community and it has wonderful results. The local cheese, delicious. The fresh bread and pizzas were incredible. The beer choices unique and pleasing. Was disappointed that the bottle offerings were available as a tasting. We did purchase strawberry sumac to try at home and was not disappointed. The only reason 5 stars was not given was the customer service. If you are looking for an experience, this falls short. I would have loved to have heard more of the story behind the beer and food offerings. I felt I was prying with every question and like an outsider instead of a guest. That was a total let down. Thankfully I was in good company and we enjoyed our visit inspite of the poor service.

Amazing one of a kind brewery. Always a good time when we stop in. Brews and pies are outstanding, and not just the regular. Looking for something different and exciting? Here's your place!! Cheers

This place is pretty great. Totally off the beaten path and wonderful, unique beers made with ingredients you'd not think were possible to use in beer, but somehow they pull it off, quite nicely. The whole place is comfy, inviting, and actually relaxing.

Did a couple flights, everything we had was delicious. Will definitely stop by again some time.

The elderberry brew is the bees knees

"Awesome" is overused. Please save it for a place like this. It's so awesome.

Didn't actually get a chance to try anything here, but they have a nice setup and I look forward to trying it again when it's not so busy. The line for beer must have had 30 people, and didn't move for 15 minutes. They were having a "bonfire", but it was actually a bunch of small fires all over the place. A nice idea, but the smoke was killing me and there was actually ash blowing in our faces. I couldn't get away from it b/c there were so many fires, and I was still in line. I ended up leaving with no beer and a headache coming on from the smoke. This place is obviously popular, and I'm glad they are doing well. It's a cool concept and I want to try it out another time.

Really worth the trip. The foraged beers are far more than a novelty, they're truly delicious and really invoke the flavors of the area in a unique and amazing way. The food is also excellent and has the same natural, local character as the beer. Service is excellent, all employees are kind, and the space is great. All in all I can't recommend it highly enough.

Do yourself a favor and seek this place out. An idyllic setting in the woods makes for a great place to drink beer, and oh the beer. Brewing that takes place in a giant copper cauldron over an open fire. Strange concepts such as single tree beers where all the brewing liquor comes from birch sap rather than tap or well water are the tip of the iceberg, with most beers brewed with locally foraged ingredients. Sounds weird, and while perhaps it is a bit, the results vary from quite good to delicious, an impressive accomplishment given the eclectic brewing inputs. Tasty bread and pizza made with a locally grown sourdough culture also used to ferment some of the sour beers. Interesting, pleasant, and friendly founding trio Marika, Ryan, and Aaron run the place, so make sure you say hello.

The beer, the service, the food was absolutely Fantastic! A Great atmosphere where they make everybody down home Welcome. A little off the beaten path, but Well worth the trip. The beer is absolutely Fabulous, never the same old same old that you find at several other places. Every time I go there the beers have changed up and it's a whole New experience.

I love trekking out to Scratch whenever I get the time! It's a little off the beaten path, but the location is beautiful! I love the outdoor seating. The beer is always so unique, I always end up getting a flight because I have to try them all. The food is electric and mostly made in house and locally sourced (the bread is soooo good, so are the pickled veggies) it's a perfect place to hang on a beautiful day. And you can pet the goats!

Very laid back outdoor atmosphere great for bringing kids during g the day. Started with the bread and cheese which was delicious. Had all 3 pizzas. Nice thin crust with fresh mozzarella cheese. Sausage and peppers was our favorite.

I always enjoy the beer and food and this day was no different. Amazing beer and amazing food.

Nice place to stop for a picnic....unusual beer that won't be for everyone...homemade soda that is tasty....nice selection of food available.

Great time. The people are always amazing. The beer is always the best. Scratch is a great way to spend time and socialize on a nice day!

Scratch is such an amazing cool place. I have not found anything like it before. Great atmosphere. Really good beer.

The Basil IPA is worth the trip! So, too is the Burdock & Oak Lager. Even with a masking requirement.

Simply awesome. Never had beer like this before, where local ingredients found in the woods are used in the fermentation.

Delicious beers and food. Great place to hang out after a hike

Great location in the woods. The beer is wonderful. Don't be afraid of the foraged ingredients, they are all quite tasty. Lemon Balm Sour and the Beet Gose were the favorite on this Summer day.

I'm not old enough to drink, so I don't know about the beer, but they have excellent food and sodas!

What an unbelievable experience this establishment turned out to be. They have numerous beers on tap with flavors you will not find anywhere else. Many of the ingredients they use are either grown or foraged on the property. They also have a basic menu to order from. Definitely an experience you will not find at many breweries.

Local microbrew beer that is some of the most intriguing tastes I've ever had. Are you the the DD? That's fine! Their soda is unique and amazing as well! It has a cozy, comfortable atmosphere perfect for a small group or even to do some work! I highly recommend for southern Illinois.

Always a pleasant atmosphere.

Off the beaten path, but worth the efforts to get there.

Nothing terrible to say about this place but sadly nothing great either considering the idea behind this place. While nothing I put in my mouth repulsed me on the same note nothing made me go wow. The strawberry soda was the best part. I really wanted to love this place but it just didn't work out that way.

Nice, out of the way brewery and food! Beers are very good but not for everyone! Very strong! Had a pizza. Tasty and old fashioned. Absolutely love the idea! It is out of the way, but has a stunning location!

Gorgeous brewery secluded in the woods. The beers are all highly unique, but not gimmicky with the local ingredients they include. Food was amazing too.

I don’t get to Southern Illinois very often but when I do ,I love coming to Scratch. It may not be for everyone . It is very low key. We do a couple of flights just to experience all the flavors. It is amazing how they put all of the foraged flavors together and make awesome beer!! Can’t wait till next time!!

This is one of my favorite places in the whole world. The beer is interesting, creative, and flavorful and the whole campus is an art project, but what really makes the experience worth it is the ethos that suffuses everything Scratch does. The employees love working here, the farms that supply their food enjoy partnering with them, and they take their environmental stewardship seriously. I am so glad southern Illinois has this little jewel.

Great place worth the country road drive.

Always a 10/10 experience. I go here every chance I can get.