Flying Dog Brewery: Old Scratch Amber Lager

Flying Dog has become one of my favorite breweries. All the more so that it is now brewed just 15 miles up the road in Frederick, Maryland as well as in Denver.

The homebrewing class I’ve been in has seemed to focus on “big” beers, so I wanted to balance that with something a little lighter. Besides, the wife picked this up for me. Good choice on her part.

Here’s what they say:

Old Scratch Amber Lager is a malty, mellow beer that is fermented at medium temperatures to develop both ale and lager characteristics. “Gold Scratch” raises the standard in the amber lager category.
ABV: 5.5%
Plato: 13.5
IBU’s: 19.5
Specialty Malts: 120L Crystal Malt, Malted White Wheat, Munich Malt
Hops: German Perle, Hallertau
Process: Fermented at medium temperatures to develop both ale and lager characteristics

A nice, deep amber color with a small, off-white head. Aroma is light, with just the slightest grassy hop essence.

Nice, medium body. Very light on the hops (to me, at least) but not heavy at all.

I first encountered this beer some ten years ago, when a friend picked it up because “Old Scratch” is an old nickname for the Devil. I think I’d had it once or twice since then, but now with Flying Dog owning Wild Goose, I get pretty much the whole “pack” at my local retailers.

Recommended. It might be a bit heavy to be a “lawnmower beer”, but is quite refreshing nevertheless. Considering how many awards it has one, I’m obviously not alone in liking this beer.

Here’s what the beer blogosphere has to say about “Old Scratch”