Kernel Classics, Time & Tide Collab Preview, Chubbles Part 2!
H E L L O
C L A P T O N C R A F T
F A N S !
Somehow we find ourselves hurtling towards April already, though we're not complaining as the sun's out and the showers have begun only of the boozy kind. Leading the pack this time around we have the OG instigators of the first wave of Craft Beer here in the UK, The Kernel. Next up, we're absolutely thrilled to announce our upcoming collaboration with Time & Tide, Faraway Town. Releasing next week, we've got all the juicy details on our Session IPA smasher.
If you'd not already got your Untappd-approved fix there's the release of three(!) new Chubbles beers online and across the shops, while the Webshop sees drops from DEYA, Baron (landing next week in-store) plus Overtone, and Vault City. Meanwhile, our Manager's highlight some truly choice cuts from the likes of Gravity Well, Brick, Pensador, and Doghouse Distillery.
Finally, we'd like to give a massive shout out to our dear Sergio, who'll be leaving Wood St HQ for pastures anew at our favourite Soda Slingers about, Square Root. If you see him out and about be sure to get him a beer or two for all of his hard work in E17. And, also a big congratulations to Sam who takes over the role, Depot goers you will most definitely recognise that friendly face! But now, onto the boozy fun at hand...
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E
W E E K
Despite being over a decade old, The Kernel are more than maintaining their place at the forefront of the UK scene, thanks in no small part to a continual pushing of the boundaries alongside refining an already impeccably balanced output. In fact, their omnipresence across London, and Europe from cornershop to craft festival, has led many to remark there are only three certainties in life: death, taxes, and The Kernel. Now with an ever-growing array of hop-forward wonders, complex Saisons, crispy Lagers, and historical, decadent Stouts they're both the purists and the people's favourites. As such, we're delighted to highlight some new additions to their frankly faultless portfolio this week alongside championing a brewery always in need of more recognition!
Leading the pack is a beer that very few breweries could get away with. But of course, The Kernel's Brett Pale is a triumph of sheer funky slurpability. Fermented on their wild yeast house culture, plus a few other brett strains thrown in for good measure, then hopped with tropical Citra and Wakatu hops expect a dry, all-day drinker. For those after more farmhouse fun, their Saison Blend 2018/2021 is a mixed-fermentation Saison combining their Apricot Stone Bière de Saison from 2018 with the younger Grisette from 2021. Here, there's an elegant harmony with the firm tartness of the older Saison dialled back by sheer stone fruit succulence, all balanced by the slightly bitter, fresh Grisette.
If you've got a hankering for dark decadence, despite the sun, (we certainly have) look no further than their Vatted Porter based on a historic recipe from 1864. Named for its fermentation in wood, specifically ex-Bordeaux Red Wine, this is simultaneously light and fruity with raspberry-like acidity, yet dark and intense, with spicy dark chocolate depths. A fascinating tussle between the heft of the malt and the will of the Oak this is smooth and ever so special. It would also be remiss of us not to mention fresh Pils Galaxy, full of crisp, biting herbal meets passion fruit power. And, it goes without saying we have a plentiful supply of their latest Pale, IPA, and Table Beer, the trio being each hallmarks of their respective styles and just ever so tasty.
Of course, we have a pretty daunting range from the Bermondsey brethren in-store and online, featuring numerous Bière De Saisons, their Imperial Brown Stout, Export India Porter, Grisette, Foeder Beer and more - so be sure to check in with your nearest and dearest. It's most definitely worth your time, with double loyalty points and 10% off six or more online for loyalty club members!
L O N D O N ' S
C A L L I N G T O A
F A R A W A Y T O W N
When we first started plotting who we'd love to work on a collaboration with this year Time & Tide were an absolute necessity. Based on the picturesque Kent coast, they've been a mainstay on the shelves and in the fridges close to our own inception. Cult heroes and ludicrously difficult to track down in the capital they've become renowned for an array of seriously sluggable stalwarts including superbly suppable hazy Pales like Spratwaffler, Urban Goose, Manfred, All In Jim and more. Hatching a plan to work on another feat of flavour to volume brewing Lara, Tom, Chippy and Joe headed down to their home for some fresh sea air and to get to work on a Spring slammer.
Named Faraway Town as a nod to both our journey, location, and shared influences we concocted a 3.8% Citra and Nelson Sauvin Session IPA, designed for all-day drinking, with no danger of mid-session meltdown in sight. Taking inspiration from the aforementioned Spratwaffler, Sonoma, Tropical Deluxe, and more recently Cosmic Dust we opted for a malt bill full to the brim of flaked oats and wheat. While, mashing in at a high temperature and fermented with their house yeast, enabled us to create a full, mouthcoating, yet clean body. Dry-hopped at an exceedingly high (if not entirely OTT) level of 17g/l we expect Citra to offer up the full spectrum of tropical fruit, with Nelson adding vinous, zingy gooseberry goodness, delivering wave after wave of juicy flavour.
Available in the shops on refill and in cans with delivery online from next Thursday we can't wait for you to try the juicy fruits of our labour. A massive thank you to Kerry, Sam, and the whole team for their amazing hospitality, and bringing our idea to life. It's fair to say we've never been in safer hands, so get ready for the Session IPA soundtrack to the sunshine...
C H U B B L E S
P A R T 2 : T H E H Y P E
R E T U R N S H O M E
No, we're not quite done with Cloudwater's internet-breaking sensations just yet! In fact, we're delighted to have secured three fresh faces, all from The Veil collaboration family tree, including Chubbles 53°N, Chubbles II: Discovering Pilsengris, and the OG itself, Chubbles. A DDH IPA, DIPA, and TIPA respectively, all three pack the trademark juicy punch we adore from this extremely limited annual release. With rolling mango juice, grapefruit zest, and rich, resinous pine, dialled up to your preferred drinking level this trio are an absolute treat from start to finish. Available Online now, and across the shops in highly LTD quantities, we'd recommend acting fast if you want to secure those suds, lest any FOMO hit you hard!
M A N A G E R
P I C K S
T H I S W E E K
CHIPPY - ST JOHN'S HILL
🐾 DOGHOUSE DISTILLERY 🐾
Baller Chilli Bacon Vodka - Ludicrous & ideal for an insane Bloody Mary.
Doppelganger - Bright, herbaceous Aperitivo, England’s answer to Aperol.
Renegade Gin - The only true "grain to glass" Gin produced in London!
🗣 TASTING TODAY 5-8PM 🗣
LARA - FOREST HILL
🛹 DROP PROJECT 🛹
Link Up - Cold IPA w/ North! Crispy, clean & loaded w/ hop firepower.
Glassy - Smooth 80-day lagered Pilsner w/ subtle hints of fruit & spice.
Cracked - Sweet, sticky, Pineapple Sour. Tangy & tantalising!
🗣 TASTING SATURDAY! 🗣
OPHIE - CLAPTON
🌵 PENSADOR 🌵
Espadin - Small batch Mezcal w/ an earthy, herbal nose followed by oaky smoke, ideal for a cracking cocktail.
Especial Tepextate - Umami bomb w/ green pepper, fresh coriander, Jalapeno & seaweed notes. Fresh & utterly clean!
🗣 TASTING TODAY 5-8PM! 🗣
ARTHUR - BALHAM
🧱BRICK
Tamarind & Limeleaf Sour - Inspired by the sweet-sour flavours of Indian Food this Berliner is loaded w/ citrus fun.
Grapefruit Lemon & Orange Sour - Conditioned on copious amounts of zingy peel to get your taste buds tingling!
SERGIO - WOOD STREET
🪐 GRAVITY WELL 🪐
Casimir Effect - Thick & juicy all-Citra NEIPA. An absolute belter.
Resonance Cascade - Silky Pale w/ a tropical medley of all-star hops.
Endymion - Smoothie Sour w/ raspberries, blueberries & blackcurrants.
MEL - WALTHAMSTOW
🍇 MAS THEO 🍇
P'tit Gaby - Bold blend w/ super value. Dry pepper & spice coalesce with fruity pomegranate & delicious sour cherry.
Ginger - Vibrant skin contact white w/ notes of yellow plum & hazelnut followed by a cleansing line of acidity.
ILARIA - KENTISH TOWN
🍺 GERMAN LAGERS 🍺
Einsiedler Helles - Full, rounded Lager & an exemplar for malt-driven restraint.
Ayinger Kellerbier - Unfiltered, bready Lager boasting fresh, yeasty notes.
Flensburger Pils - Bracing & full of dry malty character coupled w/ herbal hops.
FIONN - FINSBURY PARK
🍾 CASA BELFI 🍾
Bianco Bio - A fave Natural Prosecco, ultra-fresh & lifted w/ ripe pear & citrus blossom aromas & a long, dry finish.
Rosso Bio - Super light Col Fondo, refreshing & packed full of juicy cherry & raspberry w/ good minerality.
W E B S H O P
W O N D E R S
T H I S W E E K
🐊 DEYA 🐊
(DROPPING NEXT WEEK IN THE SHOPS!)
Hoppy Pils Simcoe - Bright dry-hopped Lager w/ candied lemon & brioche notes.
Forwarded Many Times - Chewy, punchy, passionfruit & tangerine Pale.
Invoice Me For The Microphone - Pillowy soft, yet intensely juicy New England IPA.
Steady Rolling Man - Arguably the finest UK Pale out there. Yeah, we said it!
👌 BARON 👌
(DROPPING NEXT WEEK IN THE SHOPS!)
Voodoo Doll - Silky smooth East Coast IPA w/ notes of raspberries, cherries & cream!
Finger Puppet - Fragrant & fresh Table Beer w/ a remarkably full mouthfeel.
🔥 OVERTONE 🔥
Citra I’m Home - Scottish Honey infused NEDIPA w/ sticky, tropical & zesty vibes.
Soor Ploom - Jammy plum, cherry & redcurrant Sour, saturated in tangy flavour.
🍹 VAULT CITY 🍹
999g/l Stevensbær Cherry - Mad Sour made w/ the highest legal quantity of fruit!
Triple Fruited TIPA w/ North - Guava, pineapple & passion fruit TIPA. Unreal.
Apple Soor - Sweet, zingy apple stars in this nostalgic green, glowing Sour.
We hope you enjoyed our rundown, have a great weekend whatever you're doing!