Look At Us Now! Our DEYA Collab Launches + Natural Lazio Legends
H E L L O
C L A PT O N C R A F T
C R E W !
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Yes, that's right the time is finally nigh for our collab to end all collabs! Look At Us Now, our Hazy Pale with DEYA landed across the shops late yesterday and early feedback has somehow matched our fever pitch levels of anticipation. Read on to find out more about our Antipodean (Australia and New Zealand) hopped, taste sensation.
To celebrate, we've got two separate Launch events and Tap Takeovers in collaboration with London Craft Beer Festival. The first on Thursday 10th August, in Wood St is from 5pm with Red Sauce, an Italian-American small plates spin-off from the minds behind Dom's Subs (who soft launch their residency tonight). Then, from the same time on Friday 11th August we head to St John's Hill to satiate our Southern pals, with non-stop Croc crackers.
Over to the world of wine, and specifically, Lazio, is where we find Podere Sassi. We were blown away by their ethos and quality having discovered them at Vin Natur (Italy's most prominent natural vino festival in Verona) this Spring. So much so, that we placed an order to import them, then, and there, with the fruits of their labour now available for all to drink!
A warning too that we'll be taking a short break from the Newsletter next week while we rest our content-creating heads. Fear not though, we'll be ever-present on Twitter, Instagram, Threads, and whatever new social media platform the world throws at us. Now on with the show...
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E
W E E K
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Our visit to Juice Disneyland (aka DEYA) was every bit the joy we hoped it would be (as we detailed previously) but then should we really be too surprised? Once rising stars, in the twinkle of our eyes, they've become one of the most sought-after breweries in the UK, shooting into the stratosphere that very few breweries currently occupy.
Focussing on moreish, hop-forward Pale’s with a smattering of crispy Lagers, nostalgic Dark Beers, and Mixed Fermentation mastery, they imbue each beer with an almost unquantifiable drinkability, despite being completely saturated in sheer flavour.
As to our hoppy headliner, it's no exaggeration to say beery dreams really do come true. They gave us the scope to pick our own style, unique hop profile, design inspiration, and more, with a say at every step of creating this deadly drinkable number. Collaborative indeed!
Starting with local soft water, this was treated with a fine blend of acids to further enhance a full, creamy, malty mouthfeel, pairing perfectly with a malt bill of Extra Pale, Wheat (to add body and head retention) and a dash of some Speciality to add colour and subtle sweetness.
Though for you homebrewers out there, we left out oats to prevent that often cloying sensation you get with the style. The wort was then fermented at a rapid rate with their unique house yeast to produce silky, apricot esters, all while keeping things uber fresh and zingy.
As to the hops, they tick about every tropical box! Fan favourite Motueka and new wonder Pacific Sunrise were added in equal parts with the former providing tangy limey goodness, and the latter lemon-peach and white grape. Meanwhile, a touch of Galaxy adds soft savoury stone fruit, combining for a delicately bitter sherbety finish to keep you coming back for more and more.
Our best yet?! We'll let you be the judge, but we know how we feel about this suppable stunner...
It's not just collab o'clock though, as we have a raft of new and old favourites in fine support. Their freshly squeezed, smashable Lemon Radler is back, alongside a new, super-clean Lager, Simcoe Pils made with Thornbridge featuring notes of sweet, citrusy pine.
Meanwhile, light, bright Table Beer Shadows Of Conversation also returns, backed up by plenty of desert island drink Steady Rolling Man, and Sorry Mate, Work Mode. This, their latest IPA leans Mosaic heavy, so think a melee of sticky, dank pineapple, and fleshy orange vibes.
We wholeheartedly recommend you try Look At Us Now, or any of these delightful bevs, and to help fill your fridge there's double loyalty points on everything DEYA in-store with 10% off any 6 or more tinnies online!
L O O K A T U S N O W
L A U N C H
P A R T I E S
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To honour our collaboration baby, there are launch parties in association with LCBF both North AND South of the river next week. Wood St takes the reins on Thursday from 5pm, with Friday all about St John's Hill, beginning at the same time.
Down the Depot there will be plenty of frothy firepower, with 5+ lines pouring, and a few DEYA heads popping down. CRUCIALLY, we will also have Italian-American inspired small plates from Red Sauce, by Dom's Subs who extend their kitchen residency after kicking off tonight!
Over, in SJH we'll have a trio of delights on draught, as well as an extended takeaway selection, Free Tasters(!), and just maybe a cheeky giveaway or two.
Be sure to join us at either location for good vibes non-stop. A DEYA collab, and accompanying events, yep we still can't believe how far we've come, just Look At Us Now...
N E W
N A T T Y
F A V O U R I T E S
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Based on the border of Umbria in Tarano, Lazio, Podere Sassi are situated 300m above sea level overlooking the Sabine valley in a postcard area of historic Italy. Surrounded by hilltop villages, medieval castles and tiny vineyard plots, their name simply means 'Sassi family farm'.
Here, head honcho Leonardo and his family, alongside their three donkeys and dogs, aptly grow organic fruits, herbs and grains that are destined for the family's own acclaimed bakery and restaurant in Rome, just an hour's drive south.
Since 2000, he has spearheaded the revival of the family's vineyards in planting 3.5 hectares, though not all these vines are quite ready yet, and they often have to rely on an old friend and neighbour for some fruit.
Here, grapes come from vineyards rooted in a complex mix of clay, sand and silt with the preservation of local varieties like Ciliegilio, Cesanese and Malvasia del Lazio targeted, as well as the growth of some Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Trebbiano to keep everyone happy.
Remarkably, Podere Sassi's vibrant and enchanting wines are made without any external intervention: spontaneous fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts, while there's no temperature control, filtration or added preservatives like sulphur.
Otherwise known as zero-zero (as in nothing added or taken away!) there's a great risk to the process that has been rewarded to no end by these truly alive wines, and we're absolutely thrilled to be bringing these to a greater audience.
As such, we have five enchanting cuvees for you to get stuck into. Whatever you choose, it's bound to be a Natural Born winner!
Domani - 100% Cesanese, an ancient Lazio variety that was imbibed by the citizens of Ancient Rome. Soft, juicy & fruity with aromas of cherry, peppery pomegranate & violet.
Sassolini - 100% Ciliegiolo, another local type that is earthy & fruity with floral hints of lavender & white pepper finished off by a cranberry-like acidity.
Casa Mia - A blend of Montepulciano, Sangiovese & Ciliegiolo makes for a vivid, thirst-quenching, aptly litre of natural Red. Expect crunchy raspberry & cranberry with touches of balsamic & herby undergrowth.
Portama Mia - Another unique 100% Ciliegiolo number. Aged in concrete for 10 months, this is lifted & pure with a nose dominated by wild fennel, damson plum & red cherry aromas.
Coraggio - Orange wine made from a local strain of Malvasia and a touch of Trebbiano, macerated on skins for 3 days & aged in concrete for 10 months. Spicy & earthy with tea, quince, apricot & dried flower aromas.
We look forward to seeing you in a fortnight's time! - Take care, Team CC