Into The Abyss, Dark Arts Discount, Offbeat English Wine & Mega Mezcal!
H E L L O
C L A P T O N C R A F T
F A N S !
Fresh off announcing our delectable Summer stunner, the Mezcal Margarita with Pensador and Whitebox (launch party tonight in Wood St from 5pm!) we've got your usual dose of weekend-starting wonders. This time around that means the long-awaited comeback of juice connoisseurs Abyss, who will now be more readily available across the shops having put pen to paper on a lucrative new deal securing their services. Meanwhile, cult favourites Offbeat return with another shockingly small batch of low intervention, high anticipation English wine. Continuing on that mezcal tip, we're also thrilled to have El Destilado's fourth release of beautifully crafted agave single distillates.
Stepping into the realms of the internet-sphere we have some ludicrous pastry stouts and the brand new Pils from Omnipollo alongside the conclusion of Northern Monk's epic Other Half x Equilibrium Series, The Final Vortex. Add to that some Pressure Drop delights and the latest vintages from Mother Rock including Liquid Skin, Brutal! and newcomer Brutal! Red and we've got plenty lined up for you alright. In the bricks-and-mortar brilliance of our shops, you'll find heady highlights from those aforementioned Tottenham titans, plus Time & Tide, Beak, Anspach & Hobday, and Partizan amongst other a-list-ers.
But first, we've got a little exclusive for all our loyal followers wanting to turn to the dark side...
D E A L I N G
I N T H E
D A R K A R T S
Try as we might, here at CC HQ we can only live off truffle crisps and Augustiner for so long. Which is why we've usually got a fresh batch of beans from Dark Arts on the go at all times, to keep the troops wired and well prepared. Though it should be of no surprise really, we go way way back, with founder Brad an NZ childhood friend with one of our own head honchos, Will.
As a result, we thought it was only fair to share the benefits and give all our subscribers a 15% discount on all Dark Arts coffee over at their Webshop with code BREWBROS. We'd wholeheartedly recommend favourites like Lost Highway for those after a mega Espresso hit, with this roast featuring brown sugar sweetness, and plenty of rich dark caramel-flecked cacao, all atop a buttery mouthfeel.
For the more daring amongst you, we've been rinsing Fortune's Keep, a funky, natural-processed Ethiopian delivering a crazy sweet, juicy peach syrup body with top notes of jasmine and parma violet. Of course, you can't go wrong really, this lot has been bossing the java and Instagram game since 2014, the same year we were founded (making us feel a little lazy if anything). Get on it to save now though, as this will only run for 48 hours, ending on Sunday 31st at 12pm, enjoy!
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E
W E E K
Forward-thinking microbrewery ABYSS were born in Lewes, East Sussex back in 2016, though they've risen to prominence at lightning speed. A testament to their achievements, in February 2020 they won the BREW LDN Accelerator Competition beating 19 other promising fledgling breweries. And, riding a wave of loyal support they successfully completed a crowdfunder to build a new brewery and taproom in their hometown - which was opened to the public in late 2021.
Time and time again they've exceeded our expectations for quality, alongside breaking through with some big personalities in a few rather homogenised styles. Now with a regular distribution live and direct to London, we cannot wait to see these faces on the regs...
As such we've got a fresh bounty of five new beers hitting the shelves and fridges! Opener, the Oat Pale Ale Cult Leader is bound to sway even the staunchest of sceptics. With a thick luscious mouthfeel expect a sweet wedge of melon, coconut, and pineapple flavour all with a hypnotising-ly soft carbonation. In contrast, Superfuzz is an all-out Citra, Simcoe, and Chinook smasher. A little less subtle, think dank pine ringing in your ears, and crowd-pleasing tropical top notes. Road Trip #8 is their latest in an all-singing, all-dancing experimental hop series. This time Mosaic takes the centre stage with notes of tropical squash, lime zest, and stone fruit, complete with a grassy, restrained bitterness.
Stepping things up a notch, Speed Freak does exactly what it says on the tin. This big, oaty DIPA is saturated in zippy Comet, Columbus, Idaho 7 and Simcoe for heavy-duty pine and earthy citrus flavour. For those after some sour succulence, fear not! Rave imagines you're sat outside your terrace in Ibiza and have just been passed that perfectly poured passion fruit Kir Royale. With full-on juicy fruit sweetness balanced by grapefruit-peach bitterness from Galaxy hops it's a true party for your tastebuds.
To help you get reacquainted with these Lewes legends, there's the ever-enticing offer of double loyalty points in-store for those in our free-to-join club, with 10% off 6 or more online. Get to know now!
W I L T S H I R E
G R A P E
W O N D E R S
Offbeat Wines began in 2018 as Daniel Ham’s outlet to express himself while making wine at the Langham Estate in Dorset. Now working with his wife Nicola in their own cellar (a converted barn just outside Salisbury) they've quickly become a cult favourite among natural heads in the know, despite making some of the smallest volumes in the UK.
Originally marine biologists, Dan was bitten by the winemaking bug in New Zealand whilst living out there to complete Nicola’s PhD. But, as the Offbeat project continues to slowly expand and the search for responsibly farmed fruit continues, the plan is for Nicola to transition from her work in ecology and step into the vines full time.
Reflective of their desire to simply make wines they want to drink, nothing is added or taken away in the process, allowing the fruit and terroir to speak for itself. Therefore, we're especially lucky to have three entirely natural new entries available in limited supply (as ever!).
First up Wild Juice Chase is a Pet Nat made from 100% Triomphe grown on a small plot of 38-year-old vines grown on clay over chalk in the Test Valley, Hampshire. With sappy red fruit, and a delicate herbal lift, this is an ideal accompaniment to any summery dinner!
Meanwhile, skin contact sensation Prospect sees a blend of varieties picked separately and macerated on their skins for 2-7 days, which are then aged in barrels and demijohn until blending and bottling via gravity. Pithy, saline, and long - this is a beautiful endpoint for many of the experimental macerations Dan and Nic have collected over the last two vintages.
Finally, 369 is a lovely, detailed, red with crunchy fruit, zippy acidity, and just a whisper of smoke on the long, mineral finish. Alive and pure, it’s another brilliant example of English, zero-sulphur winemaking and a testament to their skill of blending that sees three different macerations over two vintages harnessed together. Though, for all the technicals it's playfulness juiciness at a nimble 9.5% is not to be ignored. We'd say get two not one, you might need it...
A G A V E
I N S A N I T Y F R O M
E L D E S T I L A D O
Founded by Michael Sager of Sager + Wilde, Alex Wolpert of East London Liquor Company, and independent creative director Charlie McKay, El Destilado were always going to be on for a winner! Working ethically and solely with small, independent producers, they specialise in a diverse range of terroir-driven spirits that reflect the distinctive environment in which they are created. Produced on a small scale, with batches ranging from 70 to 420 bottles, their offering is ever-evolving with a collection of limited releases showcasing the best of single agave distillates.
Consequently, we're delighted to have four different offerings that show the breadth, complexity, and drinkability of agave! Beginning with the super accessible Coyote, it's immediately apparent this is lighter on the smoke than you'd expect. Clean, and herbaceous with plenty of grapefruit and subtle spice this is one for the gin lovers and ideal as a substitute in a Negroni. A little more in-line with what you would expect from this famous spirit Mexicano sees fermentation specialist Alejandro Ramirez work his magic again. Precise, with smoky undertones this classic is definitely one for those after mezcal's distinctive flavour with conifer and leather dominating.
Redistilled with a selection of fruits, and no joke, a whole leg of lamb, the unusual and excellent Pierna Borrega mirrors the classic Pechuga style with extraordinary results, pushing this ingredient to its limits. Think banana foam goodness alongside tropical notes with a meaty, roasted coriander backbone. Lastly, Jabali is one of the most complex mezcals we've ever had the privilege to taste. An incredibly difficult varietal to grow, Ranulfo Altamirano purposely seeks this out for its unique flavour. Rich, treacly, and shimmering yellow in appearance this has an amazing mouthfeel, with plenty of hidden depth. We got bergamot, habanero, sweet citrus, and plenty more making this one for the real connoisseurs...
Nowadays it's rare we find a premium spirit that truly warrants its price tag, or selection over its more budget-friendly equivalents but with El Destilado's efforts it's a no brainer. If you ever dare diving into the deep, agave-infused waters you'll find us there!
M A N A G E R
P I C K S
T H I S W E E K
EDDY - CLAPTON
🌦 CLOUDWATER 🌦
And Relax... - Rare Table Beer, pithy, drinkable & packed full of hop flavour.
Super Happy - Vibrant, doubled-up effort of their fan favourite DDH Pale Ale!
Orange & Passionfruit Breeze - Sour w/ fresh acidity & pulpy fruit flavour.
ARTHUR - BALHAM
🐦 BEAK 🐦
Blub - IPA feat. candied orange peel & squished clementine flavour.
Illinois - Lush IPA w/ notes of creamy canteloupe & zesty mojito.
Teamwurk - Returning NEIPA fave w/ Verdant! Tantalising tangerine madness.
SAM - WOOD STREET
💦 PRESSURE DROP 💦
Fast Fruits - Light, spritzy Berliner. A summer fruit salad in liquid form!
Everything Is Going To Plan - Tropical fruit surprise NEIPA w/ pals Baron.
Lost Tapes - Zippy WCIPA w/ lashings of clean pine & citrus.
MEL - WALTHAMSTOW
🥇 ANSPACH 🥇
The Bock - Robust, deep amber Lager w/ toasty malt & dark fruit fun.
Eight Candles - Alluring Smoked Lager w/ sweet grain & a crisp, dry finish.
The IPA - Throwback WCIPA great, dank, resinous & fruit forward.
LARA - FOREST HILL
🎉 PARTIZAN 🎉
Enkel - Citrusy, hop-forward, dry Belgian Ale akin to a modern Patersbier.
Lemon & Thyme Saison - Summery, crisp crusher! Zesty, herbal heaven.
Pale - Ripe orange & bitter grapefruit dominate in a well-rounded winner.
CHIPPY - ST JOHN'S HILL
🌊 TIME & TIDE 🌊
Lighthouse Lager - Quaffable Helles w/ bready malt undertones & a clean finish.
Spratwaffler - Bestselling all-Citra SIPA, a feat of flavour to volume brewing.
Urban Goose - Session Pale loaded w/ juicy, grassy, grapefruit goodness.
ILARIA - KENTISH TOWN
🏕 TWO TRIBES 🏕
Paradiso - Tangy American-style Wheat Ale w/ cloudy passionfruit juice.
Mariachi - Gluggable hoppy Mexican Lager feat. undertones of resiny citrus.
Dream Factory - Soft, seductive Pale w/ notes of fleshy mango & ripe lemon.
FIONN - FINSBURY PARK
🏃♀️ ATHLETIC AF 🏃♀️
Run Wild - Innovative US IPA! Super hoppy w/ fresh pine flavour.
Upside Dawn - Refreshing, clean Golden Ale w/ gentle, earthy malt notes.
All Out - Rich, yet smooth & light Stout. Roasty malt meets cacao decadence!
W E B S H O P
W O N D E R S
T H I S W E E K
🍫 OMNIPOLLO 🍫
Prize Pils - Crisp all-Bavarian belter, fermented ultra-cold & slow.
Agamemnon - Slick maple-blueberry Impy Stout. Buttery & drizzled in caramel.
Noa Pecan - Imperial Stout w/ pecans, sticky chocolate cake & PANCAKES!
Aon - Thick, rich & excessively indulgent pecan & chocolate Imperial Stout.
🙏 NORTHERN MONK 🙏
Let It Flow - Straight, adjunctless Imperial Stout. Dark malt magic.
The Final Vortex - Internet-breaking OH x EQ DDH IPA. Start the hype machine.
💦 PRESSURE DROP 💦
Fast Fruit - Light, spritzy Berliner. A summer fruit salad in liquid form!
Everything Is Going To Plan - Tropical fruit surprise NEIPA w/ pals Baron.
Lost Tapes - Zippy WCIPA w/ lashings of clean pine & citrus.
⛰ MOTHER ROCK ⛰
Liquid Skin - Zany Chenin Blanc left on skins for 9 weeks. A true kaleidoscope of funky, dry, overripe fruit flavour. A bucket list banger...
Brutal - Fresh & lean skin contact Chenin boasting pungent aromas of citrus blossom, apricot & spicy pear, w/ a delectable pithy grapefruit finish.
Brutal! Red - Bright, juicy Rosato made w/ Cinsault juice pressed onto dried Carignan skins. Think cranberry w/ savoury herbal notes. Chill it!
Have a brilliant weekend & we hope to see some of you tonight! - Team CC