No / Low Special, Big Drop & Lervig, Webshop Flash Sale!
H E L L O
C L A P T O N C R A F T
F A N S !
We'd just like to say first, and foremost a big Happy New Year from Team CC! Congratulations on surviving an equally indulgent and testing season, typical of a year that has felt both interminable and shockingly short. But, that's a long way of saying we're delighted to be back in your inboxes once more, as good booze is not just for Christmas.
This time around we're bringing with us a host of No & Low treats, including the likes of Big Drop, Hammerton, Lucky Saint, Lervig, Muri Wine, Square Root cocktails, and more. Of course, we also have some full-fat brews courtesy of our Manager Picks and a rather tantalising Webshop Flash Sale for you online goers. So, yes those good times might be over, but we've most certainly got more for you in store!
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E
W E E K
There's absolutely no danger of us prescribing any lifestyle choices around here, especially when it comes to drinking. Yet, there's also nothing better than being given the full spectrum of selection, which is why we've gone gung-ho on No-Abv this year. And, what better place to start than the big dogs themselves, Big Drop.
Forming back in 2016 in response to the frustrating lack of good alcohol-free beers, founders Rob and James along with renowned experimental brewer, Johnny Clayton (formerly of Wild Beer Co), quickly perfected techniques to make AF craft beer without the need for the artificial removal of alcohol. Refusing to compromise on taste, yet always hitting at or under 0.5% they use a complex combination of barley, rye, wheat, and oats to give great flavour and aroma along with a specialist yeast and non-fermentable sugars to leave a full, impressive body.
As such we've got a mighty six different beers from the team. Up top, it's Uptown, an easy-drinking Lager with light, spicy herbal notes, and floral hop aromas. Staff favourites Pine Trail and Wildtrack join the pack in all their biting, West Coast Pale, limey-citrus glory. Meanwhile, Paradiso offers up a little brighter IPA juiciness, with Poolside hitting the full New England DDH mark with pineapple and mango aplomb. Finally, Galactic is all Milk Stout decadence, think honeycomb covered in chocolate, for a rich treat.
To celebrate our first-ever No / Low Brewery Of The Week, we thoroughly recommend diving in with double loyalty points in-store and 10% off six or more online. If you haven't already joined the club, ask in person or shoot us an email at info@claptoncraft.co.uk to join for free!
A B O U N T Y
O F N O & L O W
B A N G E R S
If a hefty drop from Big Drop didn't quite scratch that #dryjanuary itch, we've got plenty more where that came from. And, where better to head than some No / Low from Norway's finest Lervig in the form of No Worries. A lightly hopped and gluggable Pale Ale, with a refreshing citrus zing we're delighted to have this belter now available across the shops and online. Alongside we also have the delicious Pineapple and Grapefruit variants, both offering up a freshly cut balance of maltiness, acidity, sweetness, and fruity fun!
It would truly be remiss of us to omit the OG, Lucky Saint. An unfiltered Lager of mega crispy proportions, it's the perfect first beer of the night to slake your thirst and bonus points if it cuts down one or more by the end! We've also been mightily impressed to see current craft brewers continue to turn their hand to the AF game, and none have perhaps translated as well as Hammerton. We truly never expected an AF version of their flagship stout but here we are. Their luscious peanut butter bestseller Crunch has had the biscuity, booze-free treatment alongside a fresh batch of Pale Zed AF, a super crushable, citrus-filled effort.
Across the shops and online we're also delighted to have numerous more entries. Featuring the likes of Germanic greats Rothaus, Erdinger, Flensburger, and Maisel's Weisse plus newcomers Athletic, Good Karma, and the ever-intriguing Mash Gang there's plenty to choose from alright...
Our first foray into an Alcohol-Free alternative to wine, we couldn't wait to try Muri. Formerly of Empirical Spirits their dedication and prowess in fermentation and distillation are clearly evident in their red, Nuala, and white, Passing Clouds.
The former is a complex blend of fermented blackcurrants, oak kombucha, Keemun tea, chamomile kefir, fig leaf, and pine kvass, making for a juicy and fresh wine with aromas of red berries followed by a slight tartness and a layered palate with gentle tannins. In contrast, the latter is a fine, dry, and funky Champagne replacement. With a combination of fermented whitecurrants, quince kefir, jasmine team woodruff, and geranium kvass this offers up a bright acidity and a heady nose of flowers, honey, and ripe fruits. For more information on their extraordinary process, we definitely recommend checking out their blog post here.
Square Root's magic No-Abv cocktails also make us wonder just how they do it. Their Negroni Spritz is a truly sophisticated take on the iconic ruby red aperitif, with complex sharp and fruity flavour fit to impress. Of course, our all-time favourite G&T deserves a mention as well as their fresh, holiday in a glass Mojito. Don't forget to ask what's in-store or hit the link below as we've been blessed with an absolute abundance of guilt-free treats!
M A N A G E R
P I C K S
T H I S W E E K
ELLA - WOOD STREET
🌿 VERDANT 🌿
Random Rules - Creamy, gooseberry-laden kiwi magic in a hit IPA.
Fresh Hop Mosaic - Innovative IPA w/ sweaty OJ, pine & a rasping bitterness.
Lightbulb - Biscuity, bright & super quenching Pale, a classic!
CHIPPY - ST JOHN'S HILL
🍷 PARTIDA CREUS 🍷
VN Tinto - Juicy field blend from one of Spain's hottest producers! Think bright cherry & strawberry w/ a hint of funk.
VN Blanco - Savoury blend for the Cava fans out there. Moreish, w/ good acidity & notes of honeysuckle & orchard fruit.
DAVE - BALHAM
🍶 SAKE 🍶
Gekkyu - Aromatic Junmai w/ a sweet-savoury character!
Tobiruku - Crisp, dry, & effervescent Champagne-like Sake.
Oka - Cherry-esque Ginjo Sake, floral w/ a touch of pear & light melon.
LARA - FOREST HILL
💫 GRAVITY WELL 💫
Feersum - Dank all-star DIPA feat. tropical Strata & Citra hops.
Matter Instability - Thick, creamy, juicy NEIPA, a true tangerine dream.
Termination Shock - Silky Nelson Sauvin Pale, packed w/ gooseberry goodness.
OPHIE - CLAPTON
🏡 VILLAGES 🏡
Warm Dawn - Tangy, bitter West Coast IPA. Punchy perfection!
Night Owl - Belgian Strong Stout Rested on cherry wood & ex-bourbon barrel chips.
Ramble - Rye IPA w/ a spicy, caramel base & hoppy, marmalade top notes.
MEL - WALTHAMSTOW
💦 DROP PROJECT 💦
Airborne - DIPA w/ cult faves Floc. Expect a dank, tropical fruit salad!
Pucker - Jammy & thick lingonberry, blackberry & cranberry Sour.
Shifty - All-star Pale! Punchy hop power w/ citrus sluggability to the max.
FRANKLIN - KENTISH TOWN
🔗 UNBARRED 🔗
Joosy - Their signature Pale, a juicy, citrus smasher from start to finish!
Liner Notes - Crushable Pale balancing fresh grapefruit & dry resin notes.
NEIPA - The latest in their series, think pithy orange zest & honeydew melon.
HANNAH - FINSBURY PARK
🐺 HOWLING HOPS 🐺
Dunes Of The Cape (on draught too!) - Fresh Hop IPA w/ piney pineapple, fleshy mango & spruce notes.
Capes Of The Dune - Sister brew, feat. the same chewy texture, w/ full peach & navel orange flavour.
W E B S H O P
F L A S H
S A L E
If you're anything like us then your fridge will have taken a real beating over the festive period, so like the packing masochists we are, we've agreed for one last big job to cheer you all up with a flash sale on the Online Store. With fresh brews from the likes of Cloudwater, Vault City, Pressure Drop, DEYA, Verdant, and more we definitely suggest diving in, it's rare we have a sale, or frankly stock this appetising... So enter code JANUARYBEERS for 10% off all beer (excluding mixed cases & subscriptions) to experience the all-out #tryjanuary experience. Though watch out - you only have 48 hours, so get ordering now or forever hold your beer-less peace!
Thanks for joining us again & we'll see you in a fortnight, same time, same place!