Scratch Brewing Company

Brewery · Ora

Scratch Brewing Company

Brewery · Ora

264 Thompson Rd, Ava, IL 62907

Highlights

Nestled in the woods, Scratch Brewing Company serves up unique, foraged beers and delicious flatbreads in a cozy, cabin-like setting, perfect for a leisurely visit.

264 Thompson Rd, Ava, IL 62907 Get directions

scratchbeer.com

@scratchbeer

@eater

"Marika Josephson and Aaron Kleidon, nominated for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, are associated with this place." - Emily Venezky

Chicago Has 22 James Beard Award Semifinalists for 2025 - Eater Chicago

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@eater

"Scratch Brewing Company from downstate Ava, Illinois, is a semifinalist for Outstanding Bar." - Naomi Waxman

Chicago’s James Beard Award Semifinalists 2024: Restaurants, Bars, and Chefs - Eater Chicago

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@eater

"A five-hour drive to Southern Illinois in Ava, Scratch Brewing should be on the top of any Chicagoan beer lovers to-do list. Near Shawnee National Forest, the views are picturesque, but Scratch isn’t all flash without substance. In 2020, it earned a James Beard Award nomination — a rarity for breweries who compete against fine dining stereotypes and placed in the same category as wine and cocktail makers. That’s because the beer is produced with locally foraged and farmed ingredients. Find lovely farmhouse ales and lagers, the type of crisp offerings that city folks need in a sea of urban IPAs, sours, and stouts. Locally, the Beer Temple in Avondale taps the beer on a occasion if drinkers want a sample." - Ashok Selvam

Outstanding Breweries Worth a Drive Outside of Chicago - Eater Chicago

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@sdbecque

A must visit! They are a James Beard award nominated brewery. Most of their beers are made with locally foraged and farmed ingredients. A great spot to visit on the edge of Shawnee National Forest, with indoor and outdoor season (I love when I can sit by the fire). They also have food. Note: they are cash only so come prepared.

Southern Illinois Favorites

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Raya Carr

Google

Very unique and authentic but also accessible beers and pizza that will disappear in your hand. Highly recommend. We just went here tonight and it was amazing, and we got all 3 pizzas to share between 4ppl. The beer flights are reasonably priced and we bought some growlers and bottles to take home because *this brewery is exceptionally good.*

Doug Barton

Google

The pizza and beer are unique and tasty. Well worth the visit. Don't come expecting the usual beers, though. Each has a distinct and unique flavor profile. For me, personally, their sahti was the tastiest.

Tucker Butler

Google

Scratch Brewing Company is worth the drive from St. Louis! The beers are unique and are made with local ingredients that are found in nature. The service is excellent, and the employees are knowledgeable and passionate about the beers they serve. There is a cabin-in-the-woods vibe, and the ambiance is immersed in nature. There is both indoor and outdoor covered seating. Children and dogs are allowed. This brewery is cash only, but there is an ATM inside. I definitely would recommend a little day trip from the city to try some of these unique beers! Plus, the prices are incredibly reasonable, considering the amount of work that goes into producing these beers!

Google

Definitely recommend taking a trip and visiting Scratch. Very friendly & welcoming place. Got their early before the brewery got busy and was able to have a nice conversation with the new bartender, which made the experience even better, especially with my social anxiety. If you can, I recommend trying all the offerings. Everything was well crafted from the beers to the food. Would happily make the trip to try more. It is cash only, but there's an ATM there for convenience.

Scott R

Google

A brewery in the small town of Ava Illinois bedded among nature. They have many unique offerings and use lots of ingredients found on property to brew their beer. We enjoyed sharing several flights to sample their vast selection. They also make wildfire pizza which we missed because we were their earlier in the day. Nice people. Give this unique brewery a try.

Lisa Sidner

Google

We did some hiking (Pomona Natural Bridge then hiked Little Grand Canyon Trail) and headed to Scratch for something to drink. TOTALLY awesome place. We did 2 flights so we could taste everything. We did not try the food. Next trip! Beers are different, fresh, and tasty. Someone knows there brewing. Don't expect the standard IPA, but go with an open mind! Truly a great brewery. The bartender was so nice and answering questions about brewing & the piasa drawn on the wall. GO! Don't hesitate to GO if you are in the area. I will go so far as to say they are in the top 6 breweries I've ever been to. 💕. Go!

Anna Zakharova

Google

It's a really magical place! Located in the woods, it consists from several wooden buildings and wooden tents. It has fireplace outside for customers. They brew their beer in this place from foraged ingredients or from ingredients from their garden, their goats. Ask Chris to tell you everything about the foraging and making beers, he is very helpful! You can find wild thyme growing between old stone walls (add it to your pizza 🍕😉) and passion fruits vines which they also use for their Maypop beer. Take samples of snifters because it's just impossible to choose which one is your favorite!

T Podg

Google

Absolutely beautiful brewery in a TUCKED AWAY nook in nature. Quiet, natural, and friendly. Beers are exquisitely crafted with predominantly on location grown ingredients. Small food menu with wood baked pizzas, local cheeses, and ingredients. A true destination brewery to visit. Holiday Inn Express Murphysboro, minutes away.. Has to be on your list of breweries to visit. 🙂🍻