Exale Excellence, Jumping For Natty Juice, Drop Project Balham Launch & TTO!
H E L L O
C L A P T O N C R A F T
F A N S !
That's right, we're back! We hope you've missed us as much as we missed you after a record-breaking two week break (the first in nearly two years) from all your usual juicy Newsletter content. That's not to say either of us has been sleeping on everything craft, we just enjoyed one of our busiest weeks in a while thanks to you lovely lot, while we've lined up some absolute treats, including a full spread from E17's brilliant Exale across the shops. In addition to that, we're delighted to have snagged some rather limited sun-ready slurpers courtesy of Natural Wine stars Jumpin' Juice (Patrick Sullivan and Xavier Goodridge).
And, looking ahead to next week with the imminent launch of our Drop Project collab, a juicy, dank DDH Pale smasher, we'll be hosting a launch event and accompanying Tap Takeover down Balham way on Thursday 30th! In the here and now we of course have your ever-present and utterly delectable Manager mentions, featuring the likes of Gipsy Hill, Villages, Beak, and more. While, over online we've seen a healthy drop from Pressure Drop, Cloudwater, Siren, and last week's feature stars Lost & Grounded. Now then, to some Summer stunners...
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E
W E E K
We've been longtime fans of the Walthamstow wonders Exale - but it's fair to say they've really taken the next step in their brewing journey over the last few weeks! With the recent introduction of a new head brewer and the establishment of a pretty unbeatable core range quintet, they've never been in finer form, establishing a fresh identity without forgetting what got them there in the first place (a year round Iron-Bru Sour, count us in).
And, thanks to illustrator extraordinaire Inga Ziemele and designer Harold Bennett it's fair to say the exterior certainly matches the contents. In the vein of Floc. or Dig Brew these charming new cans have been proving tricky to keep on the shelves in some of the shops, so we're delighted to have them across the board since who knows when?
Now to get to know the gang... Where would most breweries be without a great go-to Lager? Thankfully, Zorc is an ever-dependable drinker, and a rare Dortmunder at that. A golden Lager made with Munich and aromatic malt, this is more richly malty than your average Helles though it's balanced perfectly with a zippy herbal bitterness from Hallertau Blanc and Saaz hops. Meanwhile, New England's Dinky (Micro IPA) and Skoosh (once Exale Pale) form a super solid foundation for those after juicy goodness at an all-day supping level.
The aforementioned Krankie is, of course, not to be missed. An exercise in sensory trickery and nostalgia there's all the caramel sweetness you’d expect from that incomparable orange soft drink, followed by a little tangy tartness to enhance the unmistakable flavour of the Scottish classic. Finally, Oona dials things up just a touch, a NEIPA that balances sherbety tropical notes with earthy hop undertones for more depth than your average juicebomb usually affords. Definitely a one more please kind of beer - in our experience!
And, to let you get to know their superb new selection, we're offering 10% off 6 or more online with double loyalty points until next Friday (1st July). There's truly a little something for everyone, and we can't wait to hear what you all think...
I N S A N E
A U S S I E
J U I C E
Lauded winemakers in their own right, long-time friends Patrick Sullivan and Xavier Goodridge both happened to be working in Gippsland, Victoria when extended conversations about the pitfalls of winemaking led them to form offshoot project, Jumping Juice. Set up as a break from cellaring and industry seriousness, they aim to champion fresh and funky wines designed to be drunk now rather than later. As Sullivan says, “you put the grapes into a fermenter, check to see if they smell OK, and if they do, then they’re probably fine…". With our last drop selling out in lightning fashion, it's clear we were in need of another irresistibly playful, picnic-ready trio pronto!
Emblematic of their offerings, radiant Rosé Sunset opens proceedings. A zippy and herbal half-half blend of Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc, expect cut grass and gooseberry aromas floating over a juicy core of blackcurrant and raspberry. Meanwhile, their Pinot Noir offers up even more bright, aromatic nectar, all with a surprising structure. Here, think fleshy nectarine and vibrant dark berries with a floral tinge. Finally, gluggable newcomer Orange Orange, is super fresh, fruity, and full of racy texture. A third each of Italian varieties Zibibbo, Fiano, and Vermentino lend orange blossom, spice, peach, and melon in equal measure all carried along by a snappy citrus acidity. Fair warning - we're in pretty short supply of all three so make sure you secure these boozy, ice-lolly beating refreshers ASAP.
D R O P P R O J E C T
B A L H A M
B O N A N Z A
With the launch of our collaboration with hop gods Drop Project next week (in all shops Tuesday evening), we couldn't think of a finer spot to celebrate than in their spiritual home of Balham. Having gained a real cult following in the area, we're delighted to welcome the brewing team over with four lines of their freshest and finest pouring for takeaway growlers and drink-in. With Yard Sale Pizza delivering for free, plus epic wines by the glass, where better to spend a sunny afternoon/evening next Thursday than at the Costa Del SW12 from 5pm? See you there!
M A N A G E R
P I C K S
T H I S W E E K
SAM - WOOD STREET
⛰ GIPSY HILL ⛰
Bigfoot - Soft, Hazy IPA loaded w/ vibrant stone fruit sweetness.
Rhize - Alcoholic Ginger Ale ideal for the sun! Freshly squeezed, fiery fun.
Bandit - Gluggable GF Pale w/ zippy citrus zest & soft piney bitterness.
MEL - WALTHAMSTOW
🐺 HOWLING HOPS 🐺
Coco Interchannel - Roasty, toasty, beautifully balanced coconut Stout.
Into The Green Room - Sinkable NEIPA w/ vivid mango & pina colada vibes.
Screwball - Mouthwateringly zingy lemon & lime Berliner Weisse!
LARA - FOREST HILL
🏘 VILLAGES 🏘
Hooley - Punchy West Coast DIPA w/ legends Burnt Mill.
Fruit Flute - Succulent, Session Sour feat. a medley of citrus fruits.
Rodeo - Core range classic Pale loaded w/ crushable tropical goodness.
CHIPPY - ST JOHN'S HILL
🏅 ELB 🏅
Foundation - Comfortingly malty Best Bitter w/ a savoury, earthy lick.
Nightwatchman - Dark Premium Bitter w/ flavours of caramel & spicy red fruit.
Jamboree - Refreshing, biscuity Golden Ale w/ subtle apricot notes.
ILARIA - KENTISH TOWN
🍎 TURNERS CIDER 🍎
Rhubarb - Moreish & sweet, blended w/ fresh Kentish fruit.
Dry - Bright, crisp, quenchingly tart & subtly complex Cider.
Elderflower - Elegant, fresh & floral, w/ just a touch of effervescence.
FIONN - FINSBURY PARK
🏎 BOXCAR 🏎
Always Home w/ Verdant - Soft, Hazy, pink grapefruit-like Cornish Pale.
Stormbird - Tangerine dream IPA, sticky-sweet without being cloying!
Timeless - Strata IPA w/ bags of strawberry depth & dank citrus notes.
OPHIE - CLAPTON
🐦 BEAK 🐦
Parade - NEIPA w/ ripe bubblegum notes alongside an oily, fresh mouthfeel.
Lumi - Motueka & Vic Secret IPA delivering zesty pineapple-mojito vibes!
Dest - Unfiltered, uber crispy Czech Pils, frothing w/ noble hop flavour.
ARTHUR - BALHAM
⛏ DIG BREW ⛏
Die Bjorn Die - Hazy Pale boasting clean, candied tropical fruit notes.
Surf - Precise, crisp West Coast Pale hopped w/ floral Chinook & Centennial.
Twilight Lagoon - Dank, quaffable & super well-rounded NEIPA.
W E B S H O P
W O N D E R S
T H I S W E E K
💦 PRESSURE DROP 💦
Hollywood Hunks - Crisp, crushable California IPA w/ pithy hop firepower.
Karate - NEIPA w/ a black belt in fruit power. Juicy pineapple aplenty!
Wallbanger - Zesty & utterly refreshing Belgian-style Wheat Beer.
Cast Iron Billy - Historic, luxurious Impy Brown Stout, dangerously drinkable.
🚨 SIREN 🚨
Happy Hour - Sumptuous Peach Bellini Sour. Time to clock off...
Long Beach On The Map - WC Pale w/ a lick of piney, resinous bitterness.
🌦 CLOUDWATER 🌦
Plush - Super smooth, sessionable Nitro Stout packed w/ vanilla-roast malt fun.
Happy - Vivid, brilliantly balanced & super sluggable Pale.
Super Happy - Doubled-up effort of their fan favourite DDH Pale Ale!
💫 LOST & GROUNDED 💫
Moodscape - Light, spritzy pineapple & passion fruit Berliner Weisse.
Spring Protagonist - Seasonal Bitter w/ bright, marmalade malt character.
Hop Hand Fallacy - Pillowy soft, citrus flecked continental Witbier.
Thanks for reading & we hope you enjoy the sun this weekend! - Team CC