Burnt Mill Bangers, Cult Catalunya Naturals & Six Nations Specials!
H E L L O
C L A P T O N C R A F T
F A N S !
We've brushed away the cobwebs from last week's Staff Party (more on that below), and are delighted to be back with a bounty of brews in hand! This time around Suffolk stars Burnt Mill take the much deserved top spot on their long-awaited return, with Wild Beer's Six Nations slammers following up in fine support. Having been highlighted by our Manager's just about a million times, Partida Creus get a long-overdue feature. While, over on the Webshop there's picks from the usual suspects of Cloudwater, Howling Hops, Vault City, BBNo, and debutants Baron. Elsewhere around the grounds, we're delighted to have the likes of Verdant, Pressure Drop, Pillars, Cloudwater, and more! It's another jam-packed week then alright, but would we have it any other way?
S T A F F P A R T Y
C E L E B R A T I O N S
' 2 1 - ' 2 2 S E A S O N
Well, we certainly went out to paint the town red up Islington way last Monday! We'd like to acknowledge the fine establishments of Flight Club, The Earl Of Essex, House Of Hammerton, and of course Rowans for looking after us so well (we couldn't not end on pitchers of Lager, bad karaoke, and bowling). It was a joy to (nearly) all be in the same room for the first time, so a massive thank you for all of your continued support over Christmas and the New Year for making this possible. It definitely won't be that long again before we blow off some steam together...
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E
W E E K
By our accounts, we last received a dazzling drop from Burnt Mill way back in October so we've rectified their absence in a pretty major way with six wall-to-wall stunners from the dream team. Rising to prominence at an exceptional pace since their founding from a barn in the Suffolk countryside in 2017, they've become renowned for their impeccably balanced, hop-forward beers. But, we shouldn't really be too surprised at their success with the talents of Head Brewer Sophie De Ronde considered.
Having channelled all of her experience as a brewing technologist, while also working as the lead brewer for the eminent cask-focused Essex brewery Brentwood, it's only natural they hit the ground running. And, in 2020 she was deservedly named Brewer of the Year by the British Guild of Beer Writers. In more recent times they've gone under the radar somewhat, not through any fault of their own of course. While the hype juice wheel turns ever continuously they've been quietly churning out spectacular specials week in, week out, in tandem refining an already exceptional set of core range beers, with a fresh, polished finish.
Where better place to start than West Coast wonder Pintle then, which makes a warm return as for our money one of the most consistent Pales in the UK right now. Offering up a similar level of crisp bite, Get The Jade is an all Nelson Sauvin IPA celebrating the complex character of a hop that delivers big on flavours of vinous gooseberry with a dry, clean finish. In contrast, returning favourite Solar Dawn is a softer, super suppable New England Pale dispatching ripe mango and bright citrus notes with pillowy aplomb.
Stepping things up a notch NEIPA Emerald Table brings the full antipodean tropical fruit salad with passionfruit and white grape taking centre stage. Having had somewhat of a dearth of big DIPAs, Everything Counts is certainly go big or go home territory. Featuring a mammoth seven different hops this has the full spectrum of dank, fruity aromas, with ripe peach and lychee succulence in sheer abundance. Finally, for those on a dark beer tip, Big Sur Moon is an equally sessionable, and luxurious chocolate porter. Taking a base of Munich and Vienna malts, then layered with a mix of roasty speciality malts, this was whirlpooled with cocoa husks to amplify a deep decadence at a quaffable 4.4%.
Of course, we're offering up double loyalty points in-store on their range of beers, so you can reacquaint yourselves properly. And, we've also got the ever enticing offer of 10% off 6 or more on the Webshop. Jump in, we know you won't regret it!
S I X
N A T I O N S
S L A M M E R S
Working in collaboration with half a dozen different breweries, one from each nation, we're delighted to have Wild Beer's full Six Nations line-out. Sharing their creative energy, and brewing with an intent to bring people together, there's truly something for everyone, in an all-weekend-tv-watching package. From Raging Storm a rich, malty sessionable Scottish Ale produced with Fierce Beer to Iechyda da! a clean, dry, grapefruit-filled Mixed Ferm Pale with Polly's Brew Co we continually applaud the Somerset dons for never holding back. For those after something a little more accessible, crispy citrusy Italian Pilsner with Ora, Qui Ora is a surefire hit, though we recommend going for the full selection to find out who your winner will be!
N A T T Y
S P A N I S H
S E N S A T I O N S
Having finally gotten our hands on enough wine from cult producers Partida Creus we're ready to make a song and dance about it. Based in the isolated village of Bonastre in Penedès, this is the winemaking project of ex-Italian architects Antonella and Massimo who left their jobs in Turin in 2001 to pursue their dreams of making natural wine. Over the course of the last 20 years, they have set about finding and recovering small parcels of indigenous vines which they vinify lovingly with wild fermentation and nothing added or taken away. These are pure, terroir-driven wines and to taste them is to be transported to the rugged Penedès landscape from which they come.
The perfect introduction to their approach, we have two of their field blends VN Tinto and VN Blanco. The former is a bright, juicy mix of Tempranillo, Sumoll, and Bobal grapes - wild, yet rustic; its brambly freshness is ideal for the season. Though don't be afraid to try it chilled, for maximum gluggability! Meanwhile, their White is a savoury, moreish blend ideal for Cava fans. Possessing good orchard acidity this has a crisp finish with plenty of ripe citrus fruit on the way out. For those after something a little more challenging, look no further than CX. An Orange wine made from a rare mutation of the Xarelo grape named Cartoixa Vermell, this has pink skin, lending the wine a salmon hue. Intense, saline, and with plenty of minerality and tangy grapefruit this is definitely a taste bud workout, but all the better for it.
Not just content with a trio of natty faves, we also have Muz, an exquisite vermouth made from a blend of red and white wine infused with an Italian botanical recipe of citrus and spice that dates back to 1870. Delicate and lifted with cranberry, cherry, spice, and floral tones, this is beautiful in a Negroni, but shines on its own as a Spring-ready aperitif! Safe to say this team does not miss...
M A N A G E R
P I C K S
T H I S W E E K
OPHIE - CLAPTON
🌦 CLOUDWATER 🌦
A Series Of Good Ideas - Fascinating Spontan beer conditioned on chuckleberries. Fresh, juicy & spritzy!
Sifting Through Remains - Perry w/ Oliver's, conditioned in natural red wine barrels, w/ a sweet elderflower aroma.
MEL - WALTHAMSTOW
🍺 PILLARS 🍺
Dark Lager - Refreshing Dunkel boasting toasty toffee malt fun.
Pilsner - Gluggable & Gluten Free, an eternal, crispy crowdpleaser.
Hop Lager - Delicately bitter Light Lager meets zingy, green Pale.
SERGIO - WOOD STREET
🔫 DOUBLE BARRELLED 🔫
Hanging Pictures On My Wall - Zippy El Dorado, Galaxy & Citra Pale.
What The Cuss? - Smooth, comforting Oatmeal Milk Stout.
Conjunction Junction - Thick, hazy NEIPA w/ vivid citrus flavour.
CHIPPY - ST JOHN'S HILL
🌿 VERDANT 🌿
Italian Pils - Collab w/ Lager Legends Braybrooke. Noble-hop goodness!
Neal Gets Things Done - Smooth, umami-filled NEIPA, a Cornish classic.
Divide By Many - Unadulterated malt goodness. Decadent & moreish.
JOE - KENTISH TOWN
🥂 TESTALONGA 🥂
Chin Up - Smashable, light Cinsault w/ a racy, crisp acidity.
Stay Brave - Complex Orange w/ notes of ginger, delicate oak & lemon rind.
Follow Your Dreams - Fresh Carignan delivering silky cherry & raspberry.
FIONN - FINSBURY PARK
💦 PRESSURE DROP 💦
Great Heights - Six-week Lagered, clean Pilsner precision.
Lifestyle Guide - Smoothie Sour stunner! Feat. lychee, mango & guava.
Black Treacle Stout - Roasty, toasty goodness from start to finish.
DAVE - BALHAM
🐺 HOWLING HOPS 🐺
Bow Tie - Zesty, mango & grape forward Pale. A right Bobby Dazzler.
System Auto - Sticky & sublime NE Pale nectar hopped w/ Idaho 7.
Jack In The Basket - Indulgent Impy w/ cacao husks & Rwandan coffee.
LARA - FOREST HILL
🏅 THE KERNEL 🏅
Bière de Saison Apple - Dry, funky Farmhouse Ale w/ Oliver's Apples.
Dunkel - Traditional dark Munich Lager w/ a rich, robust malt character.
Export Stout Damson - Mellow, silky stout, w/ a delicate, tart undertone.
F R E S H
W E B S H O P
H I G H L I G H T S
👀 BARON 👀
Day Tripper - Floral, fresh & crisp Table Beer, a real treat!
Blimp - Traditional Czech Pils, floral, assertively bitter & quenching.
Lanky Boy - Punchy, tropical DDH Pale feat. notes of pineapple & sweet coconut.
Sock Puppet - Silky smooth NEIPA. A tangy tangerine dream.
Goat Slayer - Soft, juicy & dangerously drinkable DIPA. A hop bomb.
🐺 HOWLING HOPS 🐺
Tropical Deluxe Cryo - Turbocharged edition of their legendary citrus Pale.
System Auto - Sticky & sublime NE Pale nectar hopped w/ Idaho 7.
House IPA - Fluffy, fruity & ridiculously moreish NEIPA. A classic.
🌦 CLOUDWATER 🌦
And Relax - A rare CW Table Beer, pithy, drinkable & packed full of hop flavour.
Il Ritorno Del Sole - They break their long Sour hiatus for a Pastore special!
Material Science - Baltic Porter boasting deep dark fruit flavour w/ a clean finish.
Tufts Of Twine - Light, bright & assertive NZ Pilsner. Zingy & sluggable.
🔢 BBNO 🔢
Pale Ale Citra - Vibrant Pale showcasing the all-time tropical favourite.
Blueberry Gose - Full-bodied & creamy, a sweet, salty & sour berry explosion!
Coffee Porter Mocha CBD - Rich & warming Hasbean & Green Machine collab.
🍹 VAULT CITY 🍹
Strawberry Fields Sour - Sweet, creamy, juicy Scottish succulence.
Apple Bramble Cinnamon Cobbler Sour - Rich, pastry perfection!
Coffee Poached Pear Praline Crumble Sour - A velvety, gastronomical great.
Karleksmums - Decadent Swedish cake-inspired Imperial Stout w/ Nerdbrewing.
Thanks for joining us again this week - see you in store, or at the bar!