SCRATCH BREWING

Visit Scratch Brewing: visit Scratch Brewing, known for their beers that capture a taste of the land through local sourcing and foraging. Enjoy beer and take a foraging walk with the owner to learn more about the process. Foraging walk experience is $40/person. Ticket purchases will be available March 19-20 via the Scratch website. Children are allowed on the tour free of charge but please let us know ASAP so we can communicate the number of children to Scratch.

TRAVEL/STAY

Attendees will be responsible for their transportation. Ava, IL is about a 6 hour drive. Everyone has expressed different wants for their stay. Some are camping, some are looking into Airbnb, some are looking for hotels. Dan and Hailey are working on selecting a hotel in Carbondale. Hotel TBD.

SCHEDULE

Thursday: Travel Day

This day is for people to travel into town, get checked in. Since people will be arriving at all different times, there is not a scheduled activity for this day. Choose your own adventure. 

Friday: Scratch + Dinner

Plan to get to Scratch at 11:45AM/12PM. The tour will start from noon to early afternoon. Once the tour is complete, enjoy Scratch and everything it has to offer. If anyone would like to leave and explore something else, they may. 

For dinner, we will be eating at Underground Public House (https://undergroundpublichouse.net/) They do take reservations so as we get closer, we will pick a time. 

Saturday: Hiking + Brewery

Saturday morning-afternoon will be for hiking. Hiking options are listed at the bottom. Hailey Racas is planning to hike at Little Grand Canyon (https://www.shawneeforest.com/little-grand-canyon/) 

Lunch/other activities can be enjoyed this day as the only other planned activity will be a brewery for dinner. Other hiking options and wineries listed at bottom.

For dinner, we will be dining at St. Nicholas Brewing Co. MDH (https://www.stnicholasbrewco.com/mdh) They do take reservations so as we get closer, we will pick a time. This location has a patio where you can have a beer on the tarmac, how neat!

Sunday: Departure

Sunday is departure day, this day is also a choose your own adventure as everyone will be leaving at different times.  

Hailey Racas is planning on checking out Honey Heist Mead Co at noon before leaving the area. (https://www.honeyheistmeadco.com/)

Ava, IL (and surrounding areas) Places to Go

• Scratch Brewing (Ava)*+
• 17th ST BBQ (Murphysboro)*
• Underground Public House(Carbondale)*
• Crazy Jo’s Fish House (Ava)*+
• St. Nicholas Brewing Co. MDH (Murphysboro)*
• Multiple Winery options in Makanda,Pomona,Cobden (so many)
• Little Grand Canyon/Pomona Natural Bridge (Pomona)*
• Piney Creek Ravine (Ava)*
• Giant City State Park (Makanda)*
• Faye Restaurant (Murphysboro)*
• Iron & Whisk (Cobden)+
• Ferne Clyffe State Park (Goreville)
• Cache River Wetlands (Cypress)
• Nesler’s Polar Whip (Energy)
• Hickory Ridge Vineyard and Winery (Pomona)
• Honey Heist Mead Co (Cobden)

*Recommended by Marika from Scratch!  
+Hailey Racas has been here/recommends