Northern Monk Magic, Win Big In Our Customer Survey, A No Abv Spirit?!
H E L L O
C L A P T O N C R A F T
F A N S !
We're delighted to be back in booze business this week with a particularly top-notch set of offerings! Arguably, stealing the limelight this time around is the return of Leeds' legends Northern Monk, while newcomers Pentire offer up some gorgeous guilt-free spirit action. That's not forgetting manager's picks from Boxcar, BBNo, LHG, Queer Brewing, and more, plus Webshop wonders from an all-star lineup of Vault City, Floc., Cloudwater, Drop Project, and Pressure Drop. Though, it's not all about us - we want to hear from you, in our first-ever customer survey that could see you bag a £25 or £75 gift voucher for having your say. But first, we welcome with open glasses those blessings from the monks...
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E
W E E K
Having become renowned for brilliantly balanced session beers, over-the-top Stouts, ridiculously hoppy IPAs, and more recently out-of-this-world AF efforts, there's not much Northern Monk can't do. We've been starved of the good stuff from this riotous bunch for far too long now, so we've gone straight to the source to secure some exclusive Patrons Project specials, an OFS treat, and a few fridge essentials (with one more banger on the way next week).
Perhaps the stand-out Low / No entry of last year, we're delighted to welcome back Holy Faith. Their twist on a favourite pushes traditional brewing techniques to the absolute extreme. Boasting a miraculously robust body, thanks to the addition of oats and maltodextrin, this has the silky mouthfeel synonymous with New England styles; while a touch of caramel malt brings some colour and sweetness to this juicy 0.5% Pale. Hopped with Citra, El Dorado and Simcoe there are fresh notes of lemongrass and citrus zest with a light peppery finish in this remarkably flavoured brew.
For those wanting to edge up the session pyramid, Striding Edge is the perfect all-day drinker. At just 2.8% sure it's light, but it's piney, fresh quality amounts to peak flavour after every last sip. Intent on offering up a little something for everyone GF great, Origin is a juicy, yet crisp IPA, not to be ignored. Meanwhile, we believe their latest British Culture Archive offering, Hanging Out On The Kings Road with cult favourites Drop Project and hop connoisseurs Hukins is simply unmissable. Utilising a relative newcomer to the British hops scene, Admiral (released in the late '90s), this brewing dream team combine for straight OJ goodness from start to finish. With Idaho 7 added for more pithy tangerine notes alongside zesty Amarillo this is a lip-smacking DDH IPA masquerading as unadulterated Vitamin C in a glass.
For those after something even more decadent, we also have a duo of primo Pastry Stouts in succulent support. Inspired by a Spanish dumpling dish similar to chocolate-covered French Toast, Torrijas A La Riojana features vanilla, cinnamon, and cacao atop a deeply malty base for bitter chocolate and spiced bready character upfront, rounded out by sweet, silky, warming indulgence. And, it's breakfast two ways with OFS063, the latest from their experimental small-batch series. A Canadian Imperial Pancake Stout we were sold on name alone. Though thankfully the flavours more than deliver with a big drizzle of maple character layered between a vanilla, brown sugar base with a flourish of fresh coffee beans for a balancing, roasty, finish.
Of course, we expect these beauties to fly out, but if you happen to snag them in time you can secure double loyalty points in-store on all their beers, or 10% off 6 or more on the Webshop. And, as a special treat, we have free Northern Monk glassware for the first dozen customers to cash in on online. It's an absolute no-brainer to try some experimental excellence...
W I N B I G
& H A V E
Y O U R S A Y
Here at Clapton Craft HQ we're continually striving to improve our service and selection, so we thought we'd cut out the middle man and ask our nearest and dearest how we can improve. As a result, we're inviting you to complete our short survey on everything from future collaborations, the loyalty club, events, to simply what you want to see more, or less of, in-store and online.
If you’re kind enough to lend us your sage advice (and about 5 minutes of your time) you’ll have the chance to win a gift voucher worth £25 or £75 to spend in-store or online. We're not in the business of selling data, and we'll only be in contact with you if you're a lucky entrant, come the end of January. So either groove on down to one of our stores and scan the QR code or hit the link below to be in with a chance of winning.
C O R N I S H
S P I R I T
S O R C E R Y
Focusing on sustainability and locality, Pentire is a celebration of unique plant life growing on the stunning Cornish coastline. Thanks to a combination of favourable climate, soil PH, and air moisture key botanicals in the distillation process thrive here. Following research and experimentation with these singular ingredients, and having learnt from local botanists, distillers and brewers they've created a brilliant set of No Abv spirits that capture these regional flavours.
Featuring rock samphire, sage, citrus fruit, Cornish sea salt and a house plant blend, Adrift is their original, easy-drinking botanical non-alcoholic spirit. Herbaceous and fresh, it pairs perfectly with Indian tonic water, ice and a garnish of lemon, rosemary or bay leaf. In addition, their newest blend Seaward is an all more invigorating offering. Bright, zesty and yes even Verdant, pink grapefruit, sea rosemary, woodruff, sea buckthorn and wild seaweed combine for refreshing, green, natural flavour. Working brilliantly with soda water or a light tonic alongside a wedge of grapefruit, it's another remarkable, "just how did they do this?" bottle.
M A N A G E R
P I C K S
T H I S W E E K
SERGIO - WOOD STREET
🦜 POLLY'S 🦜
Floret - Fave core Pale bursting w/ pithy peach, mango, & pineapple notes.
Hold Fast Drifting - Straight Idaho 7 IPA sporting a tropical punch of flavour.
Rosebud - Their defacto hazy IPA, a slurpable, superbly balanced number.
CHIPPY - ST JOHN'S HILL
🍎 FUENTE GUIJARRO 🍎
Ancestral - A Pet-Nat cider produced unusually in the steep hills of Southern Spain. Made from 7 local apple varieties expect a gentle bubble & aromas of salty brine, fresh lemon & bruised apple. Delicate, dry & wholly unique!
DAVE - BALHAM
👈 LEFT HANDED GIANT 👈
Woodland Creatures - Luscious pistachio-honeycomb Stout w/ Uiltje!
Layers of Reality - Grassy, creamy IPA w/ a bright sherry sweetness.
Dream House - Clean Pale w/ notes of mouth watering citrus & crisp pine.
LARA - FOREST HILL
🏎 BOXCAR 🏎
Jewel Screen - Sherberty, soft & truly sublime DDH Pale.
Pastelise - Uber tropical, thick IPA. Juicy, fruit pastel fun from the get-go.
Dark Mild - Arguably a modern classic. Drinkable, nutty, earthy joy.
OPHIE - CLAPTON
🐦 ANSPACH 🐦
Pigeon Queen - Bold, herbal, bitter IPA. Just like they used to make 'em!
Stout Porter - Full-bodied, roasty & rich dark beer. Yet, ever so drinkable.
Table Beer - Lemon, lychee & spice tasting, traditional, quenching Pale.
MEL - WALTHAMSTOW
🔢 BBNO 🔢
Kiwi Pear Gose - TFG bridging sweetness, salinity & tart fruit flavour.
Organic Lager - Premium rustic style Lager w/ a biting, fresh finish.
Spots Between The Dots - Gose w/ Rock Leopard feat jammy, thick red fruit.
JOE - KENTISH TOWN
🛹 DROP PROJECT 🛹
Crush - Ultra sinkable & silky New England Session Pale.
Halcyon - NEIPA w/ Boxcar! Sticky, vibrant, hoppy marmalade juice.
Shifty - A firm favourite DDH Pale, coming for the Steady Rollin Man crown.
HANNAH - FINSBURY PARK
🏳️🌈 QUEER 🏳️🌈
Fight Like Hell - Glorious DIPA brewed for the Trans Day of Remembrance.
Burst Into Bright - Their new core IPA! Vibrant, zesty & beautifully layered.
Tiny Dots - Crisp, light, floral & sessionable Pilsner Lager.
F R E S H
W E B S H O P
H I G H L I G H T S
🍹 VAULT CITY 🍹
Iron Brew Sour - My goodness they actually did it. Hard soda heaven!
Cloudy Lemonade Sour - A freshly squeezed, zingy, citrus corker.
Rhubarb & Custard Sour - Nostalgic, creamy, & tantalisingly tart smoothie sour.
🏖 FLOC. 🏖
On The Inside - Spikey, tropical Citra & Motueka Pale from the rising stars.
Come To Me - Dank & delectable IPA feat. lashings of Citra, Mosaic & Amarillo hops.
🌦 CLOUDWATER 🌦
Morning Mist... - Slick NEIPA bringing bright citrus, resin & floral top notes.
Nature Is An Upgrade - Two heavyweight hops combine for a 5* DDH Pale.
🛹 DROP PROJECT 🛹
Airborne - DIPA w/ Floc. Midget gems madness meets fresh citrus succulence!
Long Haul - Antipodean NEIPA smasher w/ pals One Drop. Liquid gold.
💦 PRESSURE DROP 💦
Alligator Tugboat - West Coast, all Simcoe smasher! A true fave from the PD portfolio.
Minor Celebrity - Soft, slurpable Brown Ale. A rare caramel & nut-filled treat.
The Journeyman - Top of the table NEIPA, laden w/ hoppy, dank, umami goodness.
As ever we hope you enjoyed this week's rundown & have a great weekend!