Into The Abyss, New-Barnstorming Brews & Cult European Naturals
With the first signs of Spring (and freedom) on the horizon, we thought it the perfect time to inject some fresh brewing blood into the shops. Up top we have liquid gold from rising stars Abyss, plus future classics from a team full of brewing pedigree, Leith's Newbarns. Of course, haze-hounds needn't worry, Verdant and Pressure Drop are back with a bang. Not forgetting a pretty insane web drop, along with a smattering of sunshine around the shops, from the likes of Wylam, Polly's, Vault City and Cloudwater. And, if that wasn't enough we're touting some natty wine favourites from a few under-appreciated regions... So in with the new!
B R E W E R Y O F
T H E W E E K
A B Y S S
Born in Lewes, East Sussex back in 2016 ABYSS truly are a forward-thinking, all guns blazing kind of brewery. Having had them on our radar for a while, we sampled their latest batches just a few weeks ago and were immediately struck by both their quality, and their big personalities within some often homogenised styles. But, it's fair to say we shouldn't have been too surprised that they matched, and exceeded our expectations. In February 2020 they won the BREW LDN Accelerator Competition beating 19 other promising fledgling breweries. And, building on this growth they successfully completed a Crowdfunder to build a new Brewery and Taproom in their hometown - which they've nearly completed and hope to open to the public this Summer.
To welcome them in we've plumped for six smashers, bringing sessionability and sheer flavour hand in hand. Kicking things off perfectly is Super Pale, a 'just one more' kind of moreish stunner packed with Citra and Ekuanot hops for grapefruit-like guzzling. Meanwhile, Dank Marvin does exactly what it says on the tin, with ripe, piney notes followed by a smooth bitterness. Superfuzz and Zen provide strong, juicy support with the former boasting big citrus flavours and the latter imparting riper, bolder notes of blueberry and coconut. We also couldn't miss out on their bestseller Tropic Thunder. A strike of hoppy mango, melon and pineapple notes combine with a lush, creamy mouthfeel for eye of the storm supping bliss. Finally, Cacao Stout It Came From God provides welcome roasty, pastry-like shelter from the storm.
Of course, we're offering double loyalty points across our locations to help you get to know these up-and-comers! You can join in store, or shoot us an email and we can do the rest.
T H E N E W
C R I S P Y
K I N G S & Q U E E N S
With ex-brewers from Siren, The Kernel and Beavertown you'd be forgiven for thinking of Newbarns as a kind of brewing supergroup. In fact they've quietly and deliberately set about crafting some pretty exceptionally balanced lagers, pales and stouts - with most in common with the aforementioned Bermondsey trailblazers. As such we're delighted to have a litany of delightful offerings from the tight-knit team, with a big focus on their brilliant lagers. It also helps, of course, that their aesthetics, inspired by vintage Scottish brands from the 70s and 80s, bar mats, and German lager heroes like Augustiner is completely on point!
Featured across the shops is their super clean core range Pils, alongside the fuller, more rustic Oat Lager, and Extra their highly hopped, refreshingly bracing special Pilsner. Completing the crispy set is Nice One, a collaboration with Canadian mixed-ferm specialists Sonnen Hill. Here, this Pilsner-Saison hybrid delivers beautifully fresh wheat notes, light hops and herby coriander. To finish, or rather start things off, their almost-impossible to master Table Beer delivers bountiful flavour at just 3.0%. While, their Pale Ale is hopped with watermelon-like Azacca and passionfruit-filled Galaxy hops for a superbly balanced, grown up Pale when you want citrus goodness, but a palate break from the Innocent Smoothie NEIPAs of the world.
C U L T N A T U R A L S
F R O M E A S T E R N
E U R O P E
We've raved about the skin contact Serbian sensation Kovidinka since day one, but we're delighted to add more to our budding European ranks. Having taken over his father's vineyard Alexander Koppitsch and partner Maria have been making natural wine in Burgenland, Austria for just over a decade. Practicing biodynamics and working with minimal intervention has produced incredibly vibrant, alive wines. As such Ret is a super juicy blend of Zweigelt (like favourite, Beck Ink) and Blaufrankisch that has spent 14 months in acacia wood barrels. Expect enticing cranberry, red cherry and raspberry aromas in tandem with darker, peppery undertones.
Meanwhile, the latest field blend from Slovakian winery Strekov, Fred #7 is another intriguing, entirely natural entry. Vibrant and energetic with crunchy blackberry and ripe plum notes, there's soft supple tannins too and plenty of fresh herb notes. We think all three serve as the perfect seasonal bridge between Winter and Spring, providing a tentative trio of sunshine in your glass...
M O R E
H I G H L I G H T S
T H I S W E E K
🌱 VERDANT 🌱
(ALL)
Neal Gets Things Done - Silky & smooth NEIPA, a true Cornish classic.
Bigfoot 2 - Punchy, clean caramel-filled West Coast w/ bags of drinkability.
💦 PRESSURE DROP 💦
(ALL)
It’s Like A Jungle Sometimes - Grapefruit and pineapple Pale perfection.
Am I Being Basic? - A highlight of last year. Big, bold, banger of a fruit salad IPA.
Capital Ring - Unadulerated IPA dankness with a pillowy malt base.
💥 WYLAM + BY THE RIVER 💥
(WEB, N4, SW12)
Doubleheeder - Creamy "tropical seizure" of a DIPA. Be warned, this is big.
Big Trouble Al'owa - Monstrous Impy Stout w/ raisins, maple & pecans.
You Can't Download The Future - All-star hopped IPA. Not to be missed.
🏝 POLLY'S BREW CO 🏝
(WEB, N4)
Defending Backbeat - Perfectly balanced Hazy IPA full of melon & mango juiciness.
Yearn & Fall - Super soft, crushable DDH Pale with pina colada Sabro hops.
🍋 VAULT CITY 🍋
(WEB, N4, SW12)
Blueberry Session Sour - Juicy, locally sourced berries pair with sherbert acidity.
Raspberry Violet Sour - Fresh and floral aromas upfront w/ a parma violet finish.
Strawberry Peach Custard Sour - Dessert wine deliciousness with warming vanilla.
☁️ CLOUDWATER ☁️
(WEB)
IPA - Simply one of the best core range IPAs in the UK.
CHUBBLES CHUBBLES - Hyped DDH version of their collab TIPA w/ The Veil.
Don't forget there's always more to find in all of our six stores, and online. Thanks for reading, as ever!