Tröegs Scratch #42

For Scratch #42-2011 we worked with our friends at Scharffen Berger Chocolate to create another exploration in cacoa nibs. The cacao nibs are combined with raspberries, Belgian yeast and vanilla beans to blend unorthodox brewing ingredients into a fruity, delicious beer. Scratch #42 pours a brilliant ruby color with wisps of an off-white head and restrained carbonation. A huge raspberry aroma greets the nose and makes up the dominant flavor of the beer. A hint of spice is contributed by the Belgian Chimay yeast, while the addition of chocolate nibs in the aging tank gives a cocoa powder note on the finish. A small portion of vanilla beans offer sweetness to offset the tart raspberry flavor and round out the beer’s mouthfeel. Experimenting with fruit and chocolate in the brewing process has been a blast for us, and we hope you enjoy the ‘fruits’ of our labor.