Santa Clara Valley Saratoga Gap

Saratoga Gap is our scotch ale. This beer is very malt forward – aromas of toasted barley intermingle with hints of fruit leather and earthy hops – and is capped off by an ethereal alcohol note. The flavor skews heavily towards the malt side of the beer flavor spectrum. Toasted barley and caramel, with hints of orange-citrus and dried fruit, are balanced out by a smooth, yet noticeable alcohol quality. Saratoga Gap finishes dry with prickly carbonation.
Saratoga Gap, the intersection of Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) and Highway 9, lends its name to this beer. Known as Saratoga Summit in the 1800s, the intersection served as a thoroughfare for horse drawn wagons transporting redwood lumber to Saratoga and San Jose. At one point, Saratoga Gap was the “official” entrance to Big Basin State Park (then known as California Redwoods Park), and was marked by a gateway built from logs. Today, Saratoga Gap is a popular stop by cyclists and is home to several trailheads, including one that connects to the Skyline-to-the-Sea trail that traverses through Castle Rock State Park.