South Coast Crushers, Baron Resupply & Cloudwater B'Day Beers!
H E L L O
C L A P T O N C R A F T
F A N S !
After a momentary break from Newsletter duties, we're back in full flow this week with a bumper edition! Put it down to the weather, or a change in brewers' attitudes but there's plenty of fresh suds shoots to showcase. Is that Spring we hear calling?
Up top, that means some South Coast crushers courtesy of our beery besties, Time & Tide. Supported by the ever able up-and-comers Baron, plus some celebratory Cloudwater birthday bevs we've made sure the fridges are truly jam-packed with juicy joy this week. As to our mega Manager's, they're showering praise on the likes of Exale, and BBNo who both have free tastings in Walthamstow and Forest Hill respectively tonight, as well as Tilquin, Abyss, Burnt Mill and more.
In sadder news, we're absolutely gutted to hear that Unity will be closing their doors for good. Having been a small part of their launch many moons ago (back in 2016 to be precise) we've always had a soft spot for Jimmy and the rest of our port side pals, becoming a staple across the shops over the years. It makes it all the more galling then, they've gone from strength to strength in recent times, and are just the nicest folk about. Cherish the breweries you love while you can, who knows how long they'll be around for in the current financial hellscape...
Thankfully, they're still keeping open their Craft Beer & Natural Wine Bottleshop in sunny Southampton, which will be given a new lease of life under a fresh name, with plenty of exciting plans in the pipeline - make sure to give it a visit!
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E
W E E K
🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆
Our most featured headliner to date, we've been singing the praises of Time & Tide since day dot, though it's always been for good reason. With a rising status amongst the heads, despite shockingly limited availability in the capital, we've tipped them for great things, and they've delivered time and time again. As such, this week sees a raft of returning favourites, and some fresh faces thrown in for good measure, in turn showcasing some true masters of flavour to volume brewing.
You'll be delighted to hear that bestseller Spratwaffler makes its comeback alongside the crispy clean Lighthouse Lager - both classics in their own right. Also returning to the fold we have Changing Tides a zesty lil' Citrus AF Pale Ale, in collaboration with Low Tide bound for all-day slurping at 0.5%. Sporting Nelson Sauvin and Citra Hops DDH Pale recent fave Fridge King brings wonderful lemon and lime rind notes with hints of white grape at the finish.
Offering up a little more dank, herbal heaven Timeball is an all-star IPA with a peachy umami-meets-earthiness that's not to be ignored. Lastly, newcomer (and the excellently named) Shellfish Behaviour follows the tried and tested T&T juice method. Beautifully charming design, hoppy citrus and tropical notes aplenty, all with a dangerously drinkable finish.
Of course, we've got double loyalty points in-store alongside 10% off 6 or more beers online on their slick selection. Who knows, it might not be too Faraway before we see these lovely folks again...
B A R O N
H O P P Y
H E A V E N
🌿 🌿 🌿 🌿 🌿
Still produced in frankly silly small volumes, Jack's Baron Brewing has made a meteoric rise over the last twelve months. Originally, lovingly delivered to our shops by the head honcho himself, they've now made things a little more official with a very small team at their brewery, based on a farm in Great Hormead, East Hertfordshire. Working with a super wholesaler in Distant Lands to facilitate that pesky logistics work means we've been able to secure more of their delightful bevs than ever, and with a fresh trio this week, who's complaining?
Leading the pack we have hoppy Pilsner Stumped, which pairs bready, aromatic, sweet malt notes against a crisp, bracing finish with a little noble aroma for good measure. Go-to semi permanent Mosaic and Strata pale Fuzz has evolved once more with a chewy body, dank aromas, and a signature sherbety hop finish. Completing the set we have Even Lankier Boy, an IPA of mahoosive Sabro proportions. Look away now Pina Colada sceptics, this is all pineapple, vanilla, coconut, tropical hubba bubba wrapped in cloudy white heaven. Sign us up!
C L O U D W A T E R
T U R N
E I G H T !
🎂 🎂 🎂 🎂 🎂
Having changed the craft beer landscape for the juicier good, most notably with their pioneering New England 'V' series of DIPAs, Cloudwater have pushed the boundaries for quality, consistency, and equality in brewing. Though undoubtedly a tastemaker, they're still a small operation themselves, having never surpassed their good friends at The Kernel in production volume. As such, we're absolutely delighted to raise a glass and support this outstanding team, in honour of their 8th birthday, which sees them celebrate in fine style with a suitably slurpable quartet of greats.
Up top, we have Happy Birthday a riff on their classic core hazy Pale. Danker and hoppier, with notes of grape, melon, candy floss, and a soft but smashable finish this is a sublime brew in a sleek 3.5% package. Super Happy Birthday, somewhat obviously, but nonetheless brilliantly, follows the same supercharged formula, with bold flavours of candied orange and bitter pine atop a pillowy body. Dialling up the hop factor to the max, their Proper DIPA: Birthday Edition is a tropical triumph featuring legendary Manchester yeast from JW Lees. Think dank aromas of mango and apricot puree, with punchy aplomb.
Finally, My Continuous Improvement Birthday Cake is the Imperial Pastry Stout we never knew we needed. Boasting dark cacao goodness, with an opulent ganache texture and a tart raspberry counterpoint, finished with a touch of sweet vanilla, what's a party without cake?
You can pick up all four B'day bangers from Kentish Town, St John's Hill, Balham, Forest Hill and of course on the Webshop at the link below. Cheers!
M A N A G E R
P I C K S
T H I S W E E K
💯 💯 💯 💯 💯
MEL - WALTHAMSTOW
😮💨 EXALE 😮💨
Skoosh - Full & juicy Pale w/ a medley of citrus fruit flavour.
Dinky - Silky Micro IPA bound for all day (& night) drinking at just 2.8%.
Zorc - Ever-dependable Dortmunder Lager. Aromatic w/ rich malty fun!
🗣 TASTING 5-7PM 🗣
LARA - FOREST HILL
🔢 BBNO 🔢
Cold IPA - Zingy w/ a clean malt bill allowing bright citrus & pine to shine.
German Pilsner - Bright, bready malt meets a snappy finish.
Belgian Pale - Crushable w/ distinctive spice aromas & red berry flavour.
🗣 TASTING 5.30-8PM 🗣
EDDY - CLAPTON
🔥 BURNT MILL 🔥
Rooted In Citra - Ripe & peachy, rare Gluten Free NEIPA.
Pintle - The all-singing all-dancing West Coast Pale wonder.
Big Sur Moon - Smooth & suppable Cacao infused Porter.
SAM - WOOD ST
🍹 BLACK LINES 🍹
Oatnog - THE hit of Winter 2022. Indulgent Vegan-friendly brilliance.
Pear & White Tea Fizz - Liquid Gold. Light & bubbly w/ a tangy Asian twist.
Paloma - Tequila, grapefruit & Maldon salt make up this sweet-sour, salty siren.
ILARIA - KENTISH TOWN
👌 MONDO 👌
Little Victories - Super Session IPA, w/ good depth & fresh citrus notes.
Machina - Malty, heady lager w/ an incredibly clean profile.
Road Soda - New England Pale bursting w/ fruity, bubblegum aroma.
FIONN - FINSBURY PARK
🏅 ELB 🏅
Jamboree - Refreshing, biscuity Golden Ale w/ subtle apricot notes.
Foundation - Comfortingly malty Best Bitter delivering a savoury, earthy lick.
Pale Ale - Flagship Pale, light & hoppy w/ a pleasant, floral bitterness.
CHIPPY - 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.
TOM - BALHAM
🕳 ABYSS 🕳
Rad - Lipsmacking & bracingly bitter West Coast IPA.
Cool Cool Guy - Zippy Cold IPA w/ vibrant, dank hop character.
It Came From God - Cacao-infused stout. Warming & wondrous!
We hope to see you Online or in person sometime soon! - Take Care, Team CC