The Inside Track, Suffolk Superstars, & A Helles Hero Returns!
H E L L O
C L A P T O N C R A F T
F A N S !
Yes, we're back after yet another bumper Bank Holiday and one in which we were delighted to see so many familiar faces across the shops and taprooms. However, there's no chance of us resting on our laurels, and as such we've got a beery triple threat lined up for you. First up, there's arguably the UK's most in-form brewery, Track, returning with a fresh crop of juicy delights including an introduction to Radler season and some Gold Top glory of course! Then we've got some of our absolute favourites, Burnt Mill back with crisp West Coast goodness and slick New England Pales aplenty. Meanwhile, we shine the suds spotlight on one of the finest Helles around coming for Augustiner and Tegernseer's crown in Einsiedler.
If that wasn't enough there's also Cloudwater (including that Mashup Verdant collab DIPA), The Beak (and yes that Mashup Triple Fruited Stout), Burning Sky, and more dropping on the Webshop. In addition, our Manager's showcase some premier producers across the board, with highlights and tastings from Mondo, Pensador, Lost & Grounded and more. But first, let's get back to those Manchester hop magicians...
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E
W E E K
Having gone down a storm each and every time they've made an appearance across the shops or online (so much so that we frankly struggle to keep them restocked), Track are most definitely overdue a headline slot! Born from a two-year cycling odyssey around the world in 2008 owner Sam traversed the East to the West Coast of the US, finding inspiration in the local breweries that were the lifeblood of communities large and small. Upon returning he threw himself into the beer world, gaining experience in London before heading home and setting up shop underneath Manchester's Piccadilly Station.
Moving to a 10,000 sqft industrial unit in June 2020, around the corner from their old lot and across the street from neighbours Cloudwater they began kicking out new beers as Track 2.0 in around August of last year. Honing their processes, while finally being able to (mostly) keep up with demand, they've also installed a plush, state-of-the-art taproom to showcase their talents. And, this week we have a plethora of delights designed to avoid those eye-watering Trainline prices and transport you to the UK's second city for beer...
Leading the charge is their core range classic, Sonoma. A bright, yet dry Pale it's a masterclass of balance and sheer suppability that we've nearly run out of hyperbole to accurately describe. Though we've heard it's practically Summer now, we don't quite believe it. What will twist our arm though is slurping a Radler in the intermittent sunshine. Enter Espuna, a sherberty Lemon-Lager hybrid that balances pithy bitterness with quaffable citrus perfection. This one's most definitely a six-pack stunner designed to be drunk again, and again.
Traversing over to some juicy joy, we also have the second in their Fractions series. A project designed to bring together their "love of photography, words and IPA" this beautifully adorned, experimental effort certainly fits the brief. Hopped with bonkers NZ varietals Riwaka and Waimea this mouth-coating NEIPA brings zesty grapefruit, zingy vinous notes, and a soft piney, herbal lick for maximum gluggability.
Completing the set we have mammoth TIPA For All You Give and their Mashup DIPA collaboration with Overtone - Gold Top, I'm Home. These two will hardly need pitching to anyone, with the former being a full tropical punchbowl of flavour, and their most luscious Imperial IPA to date. While, the latter sees a touch of honey and lactose added for a decadent delight of roasted mango, sticky-sweet passion fruit, and prickly pink grapefruit fun.
Just in case you needed any extra encouragement to dive into the world of Track, we're offering double loyalty points in-store, with 10% off 6 or more online until next Friday. Now, don't say we don't treat you!
B E L T E R S
F R O M
B U R N T M I L L
We can't quite believe that February was the last time we had some fresh Suffolk suds in, despite a jam-packed schedule we may have dropped the ball there! Thankfully, we've got six slammers fresh off the line from one of the UK's most underrated breweries to help rectify that mistake.
Up top, there's West Coast Pale perfection in Gluten-Free guzzler Beyond The Firs and an unsung hero itself of the scene, Pintle. Another GF effort, and a rare NE Pale at that, Astral Mist sees a blend of all-star Citra, Galaxy, and Mosaic hops providing ripe tropical notes tempered by berry and floral aromatics. Brewed for International Women's Collaboration Day, Pale Ale Assemble celebrates the community being back together again. Here, a clean malt profile allows the hops to do their thing, with everyone selecting their pick for a complex, crushable effort.
Stepping things up a notch we have Get The Onyx, an all Simcoe West Coast IPA that showcases the sheer spectrum of flavour from a firm favourite of the brewing team. Bringing resinous bitterness with a passionfruit meets citrus touch this is a refreshingly crisp, dangerously drinkable number. Finally, Tapawera sees them team up with Loughran Brewing Stores and Hop Revolution for an experimental hopped NEIPA that also features Nelson Sauvin and Moteuka. Delivering bright white grape and gooseberry flavour with a wonderfully clean and fresh aroma, they've certainly worked their magic here on an Antipodean great!
L A G E R
L E G E N D
E I N S I E D L E R
A relative newcomer to the scene Einsiedler began brewing in 1885 in Eastern Germany close to the city of Chemnitz, near the Czech border - and we're absolutely delighted to celebrate the long-awaited return of their impeccable Helles. Beginning with water from the seven wells provided by the nearby Ore Mountains, the purity and complexity of the most overlooked ingredient in beer has remained untouched by human hands. In combination with the finest Bavarian malt and noble, aromatic hops this pours an enticing golden yellow with a foamy, full body. Yet, with a soft, bready character and a tinge of honey sweetness this has a wonderful crisp and clean finish. The Lager of the Summer? Just maybe...
M A N A G E R
P I C K S
T H I S W E E K
ILARIA - KENTISH TOWN
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 TONIGHT 5-7PM! 🗣
FIONN - FINSBURY PARK
Allen V13 w/ Verdant - Juicy DIPA combining their most celebrated beers.
How Wonderful! - Super slurpable & vibrant Hazy Session Pale.
Orange & Passionfruit Breeze - Fresh acidity & pulpy fruit flavour!
SAM - WOOD STREET
🔢 BBNO 🔢
DDH IPA w/ Track - Lush, tropical Citra & Simcoe hopped stunner.
Blueberry Gose - Creamy w/ a sweet, salty & sour berry explosion!
Rustic Lager - Full-bodied yet crisp w/ a satisfyingly malty complexity.
MEL - WALTHAMSTOW
✨ MONDO ✨
Dennis Hopp’r - OG West Coast IPA banger! An all-day, clean crusher.
Steve - Copper-coloured Altbier, light, dry & crisp w/ refreshing fruity nuances.
Lightworks - Seriously sluggable SIPA w/ light citrus & grapefruit notes.
🗣 TASTING TONIGHT 5-7PM! 🗣
LARA - FOREST HILL
🍺 LOST & GROUNDED 🍺
Saison D’Avon - Soft, citrussy, fluffy & delicious rendition of a Saison.
Spring Protagonist - Seasonal Bitter w/ bright, marmalade malt character!
No Rest for Dancers - Hoppy, floral Red Ale w/ bags of dark fruit flavour.
🗣 TASTING TODAY FROM 4PM! 🗣
CHIPPY - ST JOHN'S HILL
🍾 LAMBIEK FABRIEK 🍾
Black Belle - Brewed w/ organic blackcurrant for a brambly, fresh blend.
Muscar Elle - Lambic macerated w/ tangy, citrussy Muscaris grapes.
Brett Elle - Beautifully bretty, blended Gueuze. Apple acidity & funky citrus fun.
OPHIE - CLAPTON
🤤 BRULO AF 🤤
Lust For Life - Alcohol Free DDH IPA, punchy & juicy in equal measure.
Centennial IPA - Single hop tangerine dream! Expect pungent, dank aroma.
5 Fruit Gose - A super smooth tropical delight from start to finish.
ARTHUR - BALHAM
🦜 POLLY'S 🦜
Deluxe Edition - All El Dorado IPA saturated in ripe mango juiciness.
Folsom Stud - Zippy blackcurrant & lemon Gose collab w/ Queer Brewing.
Just Two Bodies - Pale Ale packing all the body, mouthfeel & hops of a DIPA!
W E B S H O P
W O N D E R S
T H I S W E E K
🌦 CLOUDWATER 🌦
Allen V13 w/ Verdant - Juicy DIPA combining their most celebrated beers.
Orange & Passionfruit Breeze - Sour w/ fresh acidity & pulpy fruit flavour.
Super Happy - Vibrant, doubled-up effort of their fan favourite DDH Pale Ale!
🐦 THE BEAK 🐦
Gatto w/ North - Ludicrous liquid dessert aka a Triple Fruited Imperial Pastry Stout.
🍾 BURNING SKY 🍾
Saison De Peche - Aged on whole yellow & white peaches for three months redolent fruit flavours marry w/ their classic house acidity for a special beer to savour.
Saison Provision 2022 - Farmhouse ale fermented w/ Saison yeast, Lactobacillus & Brett, aged in oak foudres. Tart, crisp & incredibly refreshing.
🏰 BRASS CASTLE 🏰
Quench - Breezy & beautiful GF New England Session Pale.
Pilsen Thrills - Straight-up pilsner, dry-hopped w/ Celeia for gentle floral-lemon notes.
Bad Kitty - A mischievous, chewy, chocolate-vanilla Porter dream.
Thanks for joining us again & we hope to see you over the weekend!