Yeah I'm not 100% sold on the whole "scratches are trenches waiting to harbor bacteria" pitch. But I've heard it so much I feel like there must be some truth to it... just some thoughts... I'll shut up now...
My philosophy: ferment in better bottles and buckets. Age/condition in glass carboys. I figure if there is any oxygen getting through plastic that would be a positive for fermentation. There is no oxygen getting through glass and no scratches for bacteria to start growing.
Started out as an extract brewer and went all grain about a year ago. I'm roughly 10 batches in. Just bottles a delicious Honey Ale last night and tasted a Belgian Blond that just ended primary fermentation and it's amazing. Excited to see so many people getting into the hobby and art of...