Newbarns Comeback, Xarel-Lo, Introducing Two Flints, A HUGE Web Drop!
H A P P Y
S T . P A T R I C K ' S
D A Y !
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Yes, it can only be that time - it's Newsletter o'clock, and we're back in our rightful home of your bursting Friday email inbox! We might have already had our treats from the Emerald Isle last week via the mighty Whiplash, so you'd think we'd try to at least slow down a little with the delivery onslaught, but think again. Instead, we have Edinburgh suds supergroup Newbarns making their long-awaited return for you, alongside another shout-out for our house white wonder Xarel-lo, plus the debut of new Windsor brewery Two Flints.
Over online, we have an exhaustive list of Untappd and CC-approved winners including a DIPA from The Kernel (?!), Pastry Sour perfection from Vault City, hoppy heaven from Pressure Drop and Floc as well as first brews through our doors from the hotly anticipated Holy Goat and Makemake. Clear out that fridge in preparation, and fastest fingers first...
As to our dream team of Managers, they're shining the spotlight on Quarter (with a tasting tonight in Balham), Mondo, Pressure Drop, Arbor, and many more. So, on with the show!
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E
W E E K
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That's right, the Leith purists, and people's champions are back and boy do they mean business! Featuring ex-members from Siren, The Kernel, and Beavertown, Newbarns have real brewing pedigree to say the least, though they've quickly carved out their own path with a focus on continental and crispy classics. And with plenty in common with 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 massive fans...
Championing underrated styles, while delivering big on some mainstays, we're incredibly lucky to have them in the scene, bucking trends wherever possible, and disrupting the ever-turning hype release wheel. And, this time around we have six different super suppable entries to shout about, led by their ever-impeccable core range.
Up top, it goes without saying their super clean Pils is a true staff favourite in these parts and is certainly not to be missed with bracing, crisp citrus notes. Backing it up we have their zingy Table Beer which delivers bountiful flavour at just 3%, paying respect to Scottish brewing tradition featuring Golden Promise malt and a significant proportion of oats for a full, rounded, feat of flavour to volume brewing! Completing their go-to range we have their Supreme Pale Ale which is made with a combination of American and German hops for juicy passion fruit flavours, though its still a clean palate break from the often cloying NEIPAs of the world.
The first of three new faces, Blackletter is an XPA (Extra Pale Ale) brewed in collaboration with some greats in their own right, Queer Brewing. Using Bere barley and rice for a light, zippy body, this features cryo-hops dosed at the beginning of fermentation for a deft punch of tropical goodness. Meanwhile, IPA Solid Gold uses the same malt bill as their Lager Super Gold for a smooth base with Simcoe and El Dorado hops layered in for sherbety, soft stone fruit notes. Finally, Helles Landrace sees the use of mixed heritage barley varieties grown in the same field at Bruern Farms in the Cotswolds as part of a regenerative continuous cropping system. A crispy-clean, quenching cracker from start to finish... would you expect anything else?!
As usual, there's double loyalty points across our Brewery Of The Week with 10% off 6 or more online to help you get reacquainted with these rising stars. You can sign up in-store or feel free to shoot us a message at info@claptoncraft.co.uk if you're not already part of the club!
C E L L E R
C A L C O S T A S
C O L L A B
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Released nearly two months ago, we thought it was well worth reminding you of our sublime, exclusive go-to White Wine Xarel·Lo (pronounced "SHAH-RELL-LO"). Once used in Cava production this grape is now increasingly being harnessed by new wave producers for still wines. And, we think this ticks every box with our very own Gavin Connell of Mezcal Margarita fame illustrating the charming bottle.
Tracking down a potential future cult favourite to call our own was no mean feat though becoming perhaps our hardest vino project to date. But, with a mouthwatering acidity, fine citrus and white flower notes, finished off by a sluggable, saline minerality - we think we might be onto something. A more premium usurper to the Chin Chin throne? Just maybe...
Of course, we've got Celler Cal Costas to thank for our wine wonder. This fourth-generation family estate works organically with indigenous Catalan grape varieties in the fossil-rich, calcareous soils of the Alt-Penedès, around an hour's drive west from Barcelona. Found at 480m above sea level the uniquely continental dry-farmed vines get more sun during the day, with cool winds hitting at night, adding complexity, texture, and a little richness to their exceptional wines.
Don't take our word for it though, we thoroughly recommend heading in-store or hitting the link below to see what all the fuss is about. We've been bowled over by the feedback so far!
T W O F L I N T S
M A K E T H E I R
J U I C Y D E B U T
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Hot off collabs with Floc, Drop Project and Little Monster, alongside opening up their own hometown taproom in Windsor late last December, it's incredibly rare we get new breweries looking like the finished product from day one! Now with an introductory range produced on their own state-of-the-art kit, Two Flints were a no-brainer to test the juicy waters in our Wood St, Balham and Online Shop.
As to the beers themselves, Santiago is the ideal place to start. A full-on hazy Pale, featuring a plethora of bright tropical fruit notes at just 3.8% this is bound for an all day sesh. In contrast, Vista is all modern simplicity. A West Coast Pale fermented warm with a Lager yeast strain to keep things extra cleanwith Simcoe, some Talus and UK grown Olicana in the mix and the result is a crisp, zesty and highly drinkable beer with subtle piney notes.
Dialling up the juice factor again, Pulse is a NEIPA pouring a hazy lemon-yellow with a beautifully pillowy soft mouthfeel to boot. Hopped with Motueka and Mosaic the former brings vivid pulses of fresh lime and fruit pastilles with the latter more dank mango and apricot. Last, but not least, devised as a punchy IPA to match the warmth and vibrancy of the glorious, fleeting moment between night and day, Blue Hour combines Nelson Sauvin and Riwaka from Clayton Hop Farm in New Zealand alongside classic Citra for an intense, lush affair.
Get stuck in, it's safe to say we predict big things from this lot!
M E G A W E B
W O N D E R S
T H I S W E E K
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Now what do we have here... We'll try to let the beers do the talking but suffice to say our Webshop has had a massive re-up of fresh fun, namely of the New England persuasion featuring a Makemake debut, but also a returning classic from The Kernel last seen four years ago. Add to that your usual gastronomical greats from Vault City, some exceptional wild ales from Holy Goat, and there's a whole lot to love!
Don't forget we offer Free Express delivery over £50, with deliveries in London now serviced by the super Packfleet, with free Saturday delivery (order before 12pm Friday) and next working day delivery via DPD outside of the big smoke. Of course, you can also use code 'COLLECTION' for Free P&P to pick up from any of our eight locations the following week. Just shoot us an email at info@claptoncraft.co.uk to confirm the best spot. Now onto the juicy new joy...
🥇 THE KERNEL 🥇
DIPA SCAANS - Yes way! Deceptively drinkable West Coast-leaning classic.
Pale Ale w/ Oats - Moreish & velvety w/ subtle hoppy vinous notes.
BDS Sour Cherry - Funky & fruit-driven w/ sharp farmhouse depths.
💦 PRESSURE DROP 💦
Cheese - Big, dank, pungent & gloriously green IPA. Say Cheese!
Bosko - Aromatic, all-time classic Preshy D West Coast IPA.
Transformation - Sessionish Pale w/ low, low bitterness. A true sunshine stunner.
🍹 VAULT CITY 🍹
Cocotella - Decadent, warming cacao, hazelnut & coconut Imperial Stout.
Mango Banana Coconut Crumble - Thicc, silly, Pastry Sour perfection.
Apple Soor - Luminous, nostalgic Sour. For fans of shots, shots, shots.
Cloudy Lemonade - Tart, zesty & refreshing Session Sour. Never one!
🐐 HOLY GOAT 🐐
Conjurer - Vibrant mixed fermentation Sour blended w/ copious amounts of mango & passion fruit. Juicy & generous w/ funky undertones.
Goat Wizard 2023 - Crushable, spritzy mixed ferm Sour brewed w/ locally grown Scottish barley, wheat & oats. A nod to one of their very first beers!
M A N A G E R
P I C K S
T H I S W E E K
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TOM - BALHAM
🍋 QUARTER GIN 🍋
Light G/n - Innovative, distilled delight clocking in at just 12.0% for a versatile, complex, low-alcohol spirits option. Think a London Dry Gin w/ excellent body & a fresh punch of herbaceous citrus from orange & grapefruit peel.
🗣 TASTING TODAY 5-7PM 🗣
GUY - ST JOHN'S HILL
🇧🇪 TILQUIN 🇧🇪
Sureau - Rare & exceptional elderberry Lambic. Funky & full of pure, tart, juicy, fruity farmhouse flavour.
Roussanne - Intense & citric white wine grape Lambic. Sharp acidity is tempered beautifully by mild oak.
FIONN - FINSBURY PARK
💦 PRESSURE DROP 💦
Bosko - Aromatic, all-time classic Preshy D West Coast IPA.
Monstrous Unnatural Thing - Dank DIPA bursting w/ tropical flavour.
Promenade - Smoothie Sour laced w/ tangy, luxurious yuzu, apricot & vanilla.
MEL - WALTHAMSTOW
🔨 HAMMERTON 🔨
Morello VS - Easy-drinking, refreshing session Sour ale saturated in cherries.
The Shy - Thick, oily chocolate & coconut Stout w/ Attic Brew Co.
Show Me The Way - Tangerine dream Pale w/ a soft, creamy mouthfeel.
EDDY - CLAPTON
🍹 VAULT CITY 🍹
Apple Soor - Luminous, nostalgic Sour. For fans of shots, shots, shots.
Cloudy Lemonade - Tart, zesty & refreshing Session Sour. Never just one!
Coconut Cherry Cabana - Fresh fruit & creamy coconut deliver exotic fun.
SAM - WOOD ST
🙌 ARBOR 🙌
Lager GF - Classic GF Helles brewed w/ herby Hallertau Mittelfrüh hops.
Mosaic - Single hop GF Pale supplying gluggable sweet pineapple flavour.
Texas Sunday Morning - Pintable Hazy IPA w/ Amarillo, Citra & Idaho 7.
ILARIA - KENTISH TOWN
🃏 WILD CARD 🃏
Test Me - Hazy IPA w/ big tinned peach notes set against a malty backbone.
Main Hustle - Creamy, hop forward Pale bursting w/ vivid berry flavour.
9 2 5 - Oily, oaty Pale w/ a spiky, citrussy, floral finish.
LARA - FOREST HILL
🤝 MONDO 🤝
Medusa - Fresh, melon-lead NEIPA celebrating IWD w/ charitable proceeds.
All Caps - Crispy-clean Lager favourite w/ a refreshing biscuity bite.
Dennis Hopp'r - OG West Coast IPA banger! An all-day, grapefruit crusher.
We hope to see you again next week folks, until then take care! - Team CC