Newbarns Crispy Crackers, Shiny New Glasses & Introducing Fongoli Vino
H E L L O
C L A PT O N C R A F T
C R E W !
👋 👋 👋 👋 👋
So then, how's everyone handling the heatwave? Us - well we're back to a strict diet of Radlers and Rosé while carrying around a Nalgene bottle we will actually refill soon, promise.
What perfect timing then for some continental classics from Newbarns. Finessed, drinkable suds to withstand the sunshine, that span the style spectrum - sign us up!
With those clammy 30-degree Celsius hands again in mind, we're thrilled to point you towards our brand new Clapton Craft Harmony Stemmed Glasses from Rastal. We think these are legit the nicest possible receptacle you could hope to drink from...
Over to some grape glory, and we're delighted to introduce you to Fongoli, from Umbria - a real region on the rise. Having imported these ourselves, we're very proud to be one of the few places to get them in the UK.
Lastly, we have picks from around the grounds courtesy of our lovely Managers. Think Sake, and Drop Project (tastings in SW11 and NW5 tonight respectively), Pressure Drop, Villages and so much more. With that the forecast isn't looking too bad, eh?
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E
W E E K
🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆
Yes, the suds supergroup Newbarns, are back - and boy do they mean business! Carving their own path in the scene with a focus on crispy crackers and continental classics, with brewing pedigree from Siren, The Kernel and Beavertown to name a few, there's a lot to love about the Leith purists.
With more than a passing resemblance to those understated Bermondsey forerunners and an aesthetic inspired by vintage Scottish brands from the 80s, bar mats, and German Lager heroes, quite frankly we were always going to be huge fans...
Championing underrated styles, while delivering big on some mainstays, we're incredibly lucky to have them in the scene, going against the grain of the ever-turning hype release wheel. These really are beers for the heads out there, and with eight(!) super suppable entries including a quartet of new specials and four of their ever-impeccable core range apiece, there's a lot to love!
First to some frothy new favourites, and a sharp, zesty Lilt (RIP) inspired Grapefruit & Lemon Radler Shandy is just what the doctor ordered. Speaking of seasonal, their Festival Bier preempts Oktoberfest in style. This malty, golden Lager has been brewed to celebrate all things heritage barley. Showcasing a greatest hits mega-blend of 10 varieties close to their heart this is Newbarns personified.
Next, the latest in their experimental hoppy project, Little Trees takes heed from the great West Coast beers of California and the Pacific Northwest. Keeping it clean and classic, caramel malts are added to the mash along with dextrose sugar to ensure it drinks nice and dry. Piney, bitter and crisp, it's a clear winner no doubt.
Meanwhile, Ottonese brewed alongside pioneers Thornbridge is a rare and welcome interpretation of the Italian-style Bock. A strong (6.2%), complex Lager, this has a satisfying bready aroma, with hints of dried, maple-coated fruit.
Of course, we couldn't miss out on any Newbarns stalwarts, and their super clean Pils is a true staff favourite in these parts with bracingly crisp floral notes. In support, we have their zingy Table Beer which delivers bountiful flavour at just 3%. Completing their go-to range we have the comforting, moreish Stout Beer and their tropical-tinged, yet balanced Pale Ale.
Suffice to say there's plenty to sink your teeth into this week, with variety the name of the game. Whatever you pick up at your local, you'll be securing double loyalty points, while any online-goers can take advantage of 10% off 6 or more - so tuck in!
F R E S H
F A N C Y
G L A S S W A R E
🍸 🍸 🍸 🍸 🍸
We find ourselves thinking about appropriate glassware more than we'd like to admit, and being well overdue for a new option we came up with this versatile, tall glass of water with the masters at Rastal in Germany.
Though we'll be the first to pour in a glass of juicy red or zingy Pet Nat, we also think they are perfect for stronger styles like Double IPAs or Imperial Stouts, while also being the ideal vessel to pontificate over Sours and Saisons too.
In our delightful drink-in spots you'll be able to test run these shiny new things for wine and beer, but if you'd rather pick one up to take home, then hit the link below or head in-store. As with our tumblers, we're happy to offer a discount on a full case of six if you want to be properly ready for your next plonk party!
I T A L I A N A C E S
F R O M
M O N T E F A L C O
🇮🇹 🇮🇹 🇮🇹 🇮🇹 🇮🇹
Found slap bang in the middle of the stretching hills of Umbria, Montefalco truly has a rich history of winemaking. Back in the Middle Ages monks from the Benedictine order (despite hefty morning and evening prayer activities) began cultivating wine here, planting some of the oldest varieties that are still used to this day.
The most famous of them all being Sagrantino, a red grape considered to be the most tannic in Italy - even more so than the infamously chewy Nebbiolo - and one which is traditionally aged in large casks for many years before bottling to tame its uncompromising structure.
Heading closer to the present day, in the early 1900s Decio Fongoli, and his family began growing grapes and olives alongside the breeding of pigs and cattle at the top of a single hill in San Marco, a village at the heart of the appellation.
Taking a new lease of life in 1999, the estate was handed over to Decio's great-grandson Angelo and his wife Letizia, who follow the traditional approach of ageing in large oak casks, vinifying with indigenous yeasts, and working with local Umbrian varieties.
Today the Fongoli property is guided entirely by biodynamic principles - and now extends to about 35 hectares of which over half are vineyards, with the remainder made up of olive groves, woods, truffle grounds and meadows.
Here, herbicides and fertilisers have been banned for years, with heavy machinery being abandoned in favour of hand-held tools which reduce soil impaction and encourage the spontaneous growth of trees, flowers and grasses between the vines. Meanwhile, in the cellar, there are no finings or filtration, with bottling taking place mostly without any preservatives.
We count ourselves very lucky to be able to offer vino from this stunning estate in the UK, and from an appellation only on the ascent, we predict big things for Fongoli. As such here are the quartet of rather special bottles we have available to begin with:
Rossofongoli Umbria Rosso - A blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano grown in calcareous clay soils expect crunchy and pure, bright red fruit aromas with exotic spice and a touch of wet leaves. Ideal chilled to counteract the heat!
Biancofongoli Trebbiano Spoletino - 85% Trebbiano Spoletino, a rare variety exclusive to Umbria - and 15% Grechetto. Macerated on skins for 48 hours to create a savoury and enchanting Orange with fruity, floral, spice aromas.
Montefalco Vino Rosato - Fragrant, thirst-quenching Rosé-meets-Red made from 100% Sagrantino using only free-run juice. Expect savoury, vinous aromas of strawberry, and peach. Sapid, mineral and with a mouth-watering acidity!
Montefalco Rosso - A top blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Montepulciano and Merlot aged in large Slavonian oak casks for 18 months. Intense and rewarding with concentrated aromas of blackberry, cherry, tar, roses, cocoa and liquorice.
M A N A G E R
P I C K S
T H I S W E E K
👌 👌 👌 👌 👌
JOEL - CLAPTON
🏳️🌈 QUEER BREWING 🏳️🌈
Queer Joy! Queer Power! - Decadent cacao Stout to celebrate their 4th B'day.
Citrussy - Limey, pithy, Pale Ale w/ a full bouquet of citrus firepower.
The Endless Gloom - Rich Barleywine w/ toffee malt & dark fruit notes.
ILARIA - TWO FLINTS
🪨 TWO FLINTS 🪨
Tilted - NZ Hazy Pale w/ savoury passion fruit & deep grapefruit character.
Santiago - Light, bright, tropical & gloriously gluggable Session Pale.
DDH Mosaic - Dank West Coast Pale w/ bags of stone fruit succulence.
🗣 TASTING TODAY 5-8PM 🗣
GUY - ST JOHN'S HILL
🍶 SAKE 🍶
Tamagawa Ice Breaker - Richly textured w/ an evolving spicy citrus zing.
Dewazakura Cherry Bouquet - Floral, w/ quenching touches of pear & melon.
Masumi Mirror Of Truth - Accessible & smooth w/ a subtle sweetness.
🗣 TASTING FRI 5.30-7.30PM 🗣
TOM - BALHAM
🇧🇪 BELGIAN BELTERS 🇧🇪
Chimay Gold - Belgian Pale w/ hints of coriander & orange marmalade.
Rochefort 8 - Full-bodied Trappist Ale w/ a caramel bitterness & roasted notes.
La Chouffe Houblon IPA - Bitter & strong w/ tannic grapefruit rind flavour.
MELINDA - WALTHAMSTOW
🗺 LOST & GROUNDED 🗺
Helles - Soft, floral & bready Lager. Deceptively simple & delicious!
Hop Hand Fallacy - Pillowy soft, citrus-flecked continental Witbier.
No Rest For Dancers - Hoppy, floral Red Ale w/ bags of dark fruit flavour.
SAM - WOOD ST
🛸 UFO 🛸
Maine Blueberry - Crisp, invigorating Ale using vibrant local fruit.
White - Zippy White Ale brewed w/ California orange peel.
Strawberry Lemonade Shandy - Tangy citrus meets sweet red fruit.
LARA - FOREST HILL
🏘 VILLAGES 🏘
Zippy - Super aromatic, hoppy & crushable Belgian Wheat beer.
Pebble - Slurpable Hazy Pale boasting sweet berry & tropical fruit flavour.
Rodeo - Core range classic Pale loaded w/ crushable tropical character.
ORLANDO - FINSBURY PARK
💦 PRESSURE DROP 💦
Catamaran - New England Pale, think pithy grapefruit juice. All the Vitamin C!
N.S.P. - Peppery, vinous West Coast Pale hopped exclusively with Nelson.
Set Breakfast #1 - Creamy, herbal citrus joy in juicy DIPA format.
Thanks for joining us on another mega rundown, see you again soon! - Team CC