Burnt Mill Belters, Fresh Cornish Classics & A Passion Fruit Martini?!
H E L L O
C L A P T O N C R A F T
F A N S !
We hope you're all doing well heading into another fine weekend of weather, ideal for digging out that picnic blanket or staying inside and watching an unhealthy amount of tennis - pick your poison. Up top, we'd just like to say a massive thank you and a fond farewell to our Clapton manager, Ophie who'll be moving onto pastures new this month away from the big smoke. For all your E5 goers don't give up on us just yet, you'll now be in the very safe (and familiar) hands of Eddie who'll be running the show at our OG site.
As to those boozy delights, we're not letting up in any respect! It's West Coast Best Coast vs East Coast Beast Coast (sorry) as Brewery Of The Week Burnt Mill and juice giants Verdant deliver the goods either side of the bitterness boundaries. For those after straight fruit fun, look no further than Black Lines' saucy summer stunner, the Passion Fruit Martini.
On a similar theme, we have Northern Monk's epic Lassi series on the Webshop alongside a double dank Cloudwater Drop, freshies from ELB, a barrel-aged Burning Sky beaut, plus tantalising English Wine from Tillingham. Meanwhile, our lovely Managers have opted to sing the praises of some of the best in their respective fields, including Burning Sky, Overtone, Pressure Drop, and more. But first, onto those Suffolk superstars...
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E
W E E K
Ever a joy to have in our fair fridges, there's not a drop that goes by from Burnt Mill that we don't crack nearly everything open, and in a sea of craft beer, it's a testament they've become such a go-to. Founded on a barn in the idyllic Suffolk countryside in 2017, they've risen to prominence rapidly, becoming renowned for their impeccably balanced, hop-forward beers. With a particular focus on drinkability and West Coast styles, they've truly taken the Sierra Nevada torch and ran with it, reminding us why we got into this craft malarkey in the first place.
But, we shouldn't really be too surprised at their success with the talents of Head Brewer Sophie De Ronde considered. Having channelled 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. More recently they've gone under the radar somewhat with that wheel of hype juice ever turning, so it's a joy to sing their praises once more!
This time around we have a quintet of zippy delights, including four fresh favourites, and in our opinion one of the most consistent and rewarding Pales in the UK right now, Pintle. On a similar tip, California Pale Turning Tides boasts eminent drinkability at just 4.2%, offering up fresh tropical fruit aromas backed by a comforting dose of piney bitterness. Stepping things up a notch Bitter Falls pairs accessible juicy citrus notes with a crisp, rounded profile and a snappy finish. There's not many better at delivering a hop showcase with this level of slurpablity.
Of course, we couldn't resist getting a drop of NE magic also. The latest in their popular DDH Pale series, Polar Mist is dry hopped with a lethal combo of Citra, Azacca and Idaho 7 for vibrant mango, grapefruit and peach flavour atop a pillowy soft body. An ever-present in their arsenal, Gardens Of Green is a dual hop series designed to express the best of that magic ingredient with a simple hop combo. In this edition, we have the dank, floral and sweet berry notes of Mosaic combining with the unusually savoury apricot and passion fruit characteristics of NZ Rakau. Certainly one for the hopheads, or those who like things bold and beautiful...
As ever we have the rather enticing offer of double loyalty points in-store or 10% off 6 or more if you'd like some Burnt Mill bangers delivered straight to your door. That is if we leave any for all of you, these are staff favourites, and for good reason...
J U I C Y
P E N R Y N
P E R F E C T I O N
These luscious lot really need no introduction, though we're always happy to roll out the green carpet for Verdant, and with five fresh brews landing live and direct this week, why not? We kick things off with their interpretation of a Munich Helles, the softly malty, moreishly smooth, and herbaceous Lager favourite we all know and love. With maximum drinkability in mind 300 Laps Of Your Garden is a beautifully vivid Pale with enduring flavours of ripe mango, reviving resin notes, and a touch of sunny white grape. Perfect post-garden Grand Prix refreshment indeed.
We're also thrilled to have the little and large of their Moon series, with plenty of 20 Watt Moon and 40 Watt Moon in (well enough to maybe last a weekend). These Strata and Citra all-stars deliver dank piney aroma finishing up with effortlessly clean grapefruit and lychee goodness at both IPA and DIPA levels. Of course, we had to throw in somewhat of a curveball with the long-awaited return of West Coast DIPA, Welcome U-Turn. Pithy, strong, and uncompromising this is heavily saturated in caramel meets citric, hoppy heaven. Yes please!
A B L A C K L I N E S
S U N R E A D Y
S T U N N E R
Mixology aficionados Black Lines have been running the ready-to-go game in East London since 2019, promoting better access to beautiful cocktails while ensuring you don't need a spirits stash to indulge once in a while. With current favourites like their zesty Negroni, indulgent Espresso Martini, and fiery Margarita proving to be the ultimate park-ready treats or party starters, we were bowled over when they announced their latest addition to the crew.
Described as 'London's most provocative contribution to the cocktail renaissance', their Passion Fruit Martini is a far cry from its crudely named ancestor, though it does hark back to Douglas Ankrah's original recipe. Made with East London Vodka, passion fruit, pineapple, lime and a touch of vanilla think vivacious nectar, with a touch of tropical luxury, ideal for that iconic serve on a hot, long summer evening. The only question for us really is one bottle or two?
M A N A G E R
P I C K S
T H I S W E E K
ILARIA - KENTISH TOWN
🏎 BOXCAR 🏎
Stormbird - Tangerine dream IPA made w/ super soft water & fluffy malt.
Timeless - Sticky, orange sherbety, all Strata IPA! Dank & delectable.
Lupulin Storm - DDH Pale loaded w/ a DIPA level of hops. Green, oily madness.
FIONN - FINSBURY PARK
💦 PRESSURE DROP 💦
Karate - NEIPA knockout blow of creamy mango & prickly pineapple.
Project Seahorse - Coconut IPA, a juicy Piña Colada fantasy.
Petanque - Cryo hopped Table beer w/ notes of mango, strawberry & pine.
SAM - WOOD STREET
🤙 OVERTONE 🤙
Theory Of Everything - Truly epic imperial Pastry Sour. Sour succulence!
Edge Of Darkness - Treacly, simple, sweet & sessionable Stout.
Delirium - NZ TIPA, think thick mango & passion fruit w/ a squeeze of lime.
MEL - WALTHAMSTOW
🚨 SIREN 🚨
Lumina - Gluggable GF SIPA classic! Their hoppy, heavenly shining light.
Take Nothing For Granted - Zesty, experimental WCIPA collab w/ BBNo.
Memento - Wholesome, biscuity & nostalgic Best Bitter. Say no more.
OPHIE - CLAPTON
🦜 POLLY'S 🦜
Little Petal - Resinous West Coast Pale. Sluggable & crispy-clean.
Oh My… - Luscious coconut meets pineapple Pale. Big, bold & juicy!
Patternist - Cult fave IPA w/ notes of fleshy mango, guava & yes, jelly tots.
ARTHUR - BALHAM
🍻 LOST & GROUNDED 🍻
Keller Pils - Top-tier UK Lager! Bright & wonderfully balanced.
Helles - Their soft, bready & floral future-crispy-classic.
Running With Sceptres - Rich, layered Baltic Porter w/ a clean finish.
LARA - FOREST HILL
🌤 BURNING SKY 🌤
NZ Grisette - Dry, quenching & lightly spicy, a faultless Farmhouse Ale!
Saison Ete - Special Belgian Ale made w/ tart gooseberries & fresh elderflower.
Saison Houblon - Crisp, modern Saison w/ plenty of noble hop flavour.
CHIPPY - ST JOHN'S HILL
🎯 SURESHOT 🎯
Leave Your Stupid Comments... - Resinous Pale full of bitter citrus peel.
Step Away From... - Hazy IPA brimming w/ tropical goodness.
Imaginary Assailant - Stealthily sluggable, grapefruit-packed WCIPA.
W E B S H O P
W O N D E R S
T H I S W E E K
🙏 NORTHERN MONK 🙏
Mango Lassi Heathen - NEIPA in the epic Indian smoothie style!
Mango Lassi AF - All the fruity fun of the OG Lassi, without the abv.
Strawberry & Cream Lassi - Name a better British summertime combo?
Passion Fruit Lassi - Smooth, sweet & slurpable bursting w/ tart goodness.
🌦 CLOUDWATER 🌦
Double Dank DDH IPA - Potent, juicy & uber green New England.
Double Dank DIPA - The stanky pinnacle of herbaceous hop flavour.
🔥 BURNING SKY 🔥
Choose Any Memory - Raspberry Wild Ale aged in a mix of oak & steel. Expect a beautifully laced acidity, delicate funk & sharp fruity sweetness.
💫 ELB 💫
Navigator - Silky NE Pale w/ notes of freshly cut pineapple & zingy gooseberry.
East London Lager - Crisp, crushable & gently bitter Unfiltered Pilsner.
Beyond The Tower - Light, tropical SIPA w/ quaffable, resinous undertones.
🍇 TILLINGHAM 🍇
Chardonnay - Waxy, textured, lime zest lead stunner from East Sussex!
End Grain - Bright, highly aromatic & floral Orange blend.
Qvevri Orange - Complex, funky skin contact blend w/ grippy stone fruit fun.
Cheers for joining us on another epic rundown! - Take care, Team CC