Keeping On Track, Autumnal Orange Faves, Webshop Overtone B'Day Bangers!
H E L L O
C L A P T O N C R A F T
F A N S !
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After a momentary break from Newsletter duties, we somehow now find ourselves more than halfway through Autumn already! Though the leaves may be turning, we've still got plenty of fresh suds shoots to highlight as always. As such, none other than Manchester maestros Track lead the way, this time with the full Brewery Of The Week status.
With that aforementioned change in season in mind, we highlight some Autumnal Orange Wine favourites, both new and old, to convert you to the skin contact side. Of course, there's also a little something for you folks in the land of the internet, with a quartet of heavy hitters from Overtone, celebrating their fourth year at the top of the game.
Finally, there's your usual dose of magic Manager picks, featuring Boxcar, ABYSS, Pillars, Mackmyra, and more. Just in case you'd forgotten, it's the conclusion of Mackmyra Month, so there's a Free Tasting hosted by those Swedish dons TOMORROW at both Hoe St and Kentish Town from 4-8pm, see you there!
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E
W E E K
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Having gone down a treat 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 another 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 square foot industrial unit in June 2020, around the corner from their old spot, 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 allowing you to avoid those eye-watering Trainline prices and transport you to the UK's second city for beer...
Where else to begin, than their core range classic, Sonoma? A bright, juicy, yet clean hazy Pale, it's a masterclass of balance and sheer suppability that we've nearly run out of hyperbole to accurately describe. Adding to their flagship fun, we have the lesser-spotted DDH Pale Ale, Half Dome. Hopped with a trifecta of all-stars: Galaxy, Citra, and Simcoe, expect underripe mango and pineapple, with a sweet, herbal tinge. Another returning hit, Arosa is one we can never get enough of. A true crusher, this dry-hopped Helles has a pithy citrus bitterness with a quenching, crisp finish to die for. Their final comeback hit this week is the ever-gluggable Lipari, a citrus Sour that screams grown-up liquid sherbet lemon. Zingy to the max!
Let's not forget, we also welcome a duo of newcomers into the fold. Invisible Frequencies is a crowd-pleasing New England Pale, hopped with Citra and Idaho 7 for a full fruit bowl of flavour. At just 4.8%, the mouthfeel on this one is absolutely outrageous, with super silky pineapple and papaya combining with grassy, hop goodness. Lastly, we have New Vibration, their inaugural IPA in new slick packaging. Here, think hazy yellow citrus sunshine, with soft brioche malt character, all saturated in tropical fruit fun.
Just in case you needed any further encouragement to get back on the inside 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!
S E A S O N A L
S K I N C O N T A C T
W I N E W I N N E R S
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Made by leaving the grape skins and seeds in contact with the juice during fermentation (a process usually reserved for red wine), creating an alluring copper-coloured liquid, Orange Wine has become a bit of a phenomenon in our shops, and the wider drinking world! More robust, textured, tannin-focused, and sometimes even a little tropically tart or with a honey-like dryness, they also represent the perfect seasonal drink for this time of the year. When the evenings are getting a little chillier, and it might be sunshine or rain in the same hour this simultaneously refreshing and generous style just makes perfect sense.
Already a surefire house party winner, they also compliment heartier dishes superbly and are our go-to recommendation when you don't know (or care) what's going in the oven. Consequently, we have a few essentials to highlight for this time of the year, whether you're a seasoned expert, or are just getting your head around the citrus cult following...
Baglio Bianco - Generally the longer left 'on skins' the more intense the Orange wine, so at just 3 days, this Sicilian made from the native Catarratto grape is the perfect introductory point. Expect intriguing aromas of spicy apple, quince, and plum with just a touch of tannin!
Calcarius Nu Litr Orange - A gluggable, accessible Puglian essential complete in litre format, with citrus and stone fruit flavour, alongside hints of floral sweetness.
Ovum Big Salt Orange Rosé - For when you just can't leave Summer behind, this hybrid Oregon field blend is packed with hibiscus, tangerine, and sea spray.
Bernabe Tragolargo - Slightly wilder, this Spanish wine features Moscatel and Malvasia grapes. Think savoury, somewhat funky notes of orange peel and chamomile.
Mas Theo Ginger - Earthy, bold Southern Rhone complete with a saline nuttiness, and herbal, honey-like character. Structured and dry, this is slightly more challenging, but oh so rewarding.
Offbeat Cascade - A wonderful, super fresh effort from the rising Wiltshire-based winemakers. Hazy, bordering on opaque, this drinks like vibrant pear and apricot juice. One for the heads!
C E L E B R A T I N G
F O U R Y E A R S
O F O V E R T O N E
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Cherished by the hazeheads and pastry stout followers alike, Overtone are only on the up right now, though it's pretty remarkable they've already been around four years. Celebrating in style, they've got a foursome of outrageous brews released just in time for the big day, which we're delighted to have snagged in limited quantities for the Webshop. Though, you can of course just shoot us an email and use code 'COLLECTION' at checkout and we'll get it ready for you next week at your nearest CC spot!
Arguably the most straightforward of the bunch, Four Candles is a super sessionable DDH Pale Ale delivering an overload of passion fruit flavour, with a subtle twist of limey fun. Dialling up the juice factor, Pure Magic is a DDH DIPA with three hugely distinctive hops providing a multitude of flavours from creamy peach to grassy citrus and dank mango.
No party though is complete without ice cream, and smoothie Sour Chuck Berries does not disappoint. This rich, tart treat features a sweet malty base, layered with local strawberries, blackberries, and cherries topped with vanilla and luscious lactose. A double dose of dessert, Imperial Stout Duty Free completes the set, inspired by everyone’s favourite airport treat, a Toblerone. With swirls of cacao, nougat, lactose, and Scottish honey, we might need a lie down after all this!
M A N A G E R
P I C K S
T H I S W E E K
ILARIA - KENTISH TOWN
🥃 MACKMYRA 🥃
Svensk Ek - Elegant Swedish single malt w/ roasted oak & pepper notes.
Svensk Rok - FKA Swedish Smoke, expect fiery juniper & dense peat.
Mack - Fresh, effortlessly sippable Whisky w/ hints of vanilla & orchard fruit.
🗣 TASTING SAT 4-8PM 🗣
MEL - WALTHAMSTOW
🐺 HOWLING HOPS 🐺
Barleypop - Light in all but name, an all-day & all-night drinking crispy Lager.
Moving On - Dank, heady IPA w/ notes of white grape & ripe gooseberry.
Wave Machine - Zippy West Coast Pale w/ clean resin & citrus rind flavour.
🗣 TASTING TODAY 5-7PM 🗣
SAM - WOOD STREET
🕳 ABYSS 🕳
Super Pale - Gluten Free & gloriously gluggable, pillowy soft!
Space Katz - Bold IPA w/ tinges of fleshy mango & green melon.
Dank Marvin - True to name! Piney IPA w/ a polished, refreshing bitterness.
CHIPPY - ST JOHN'S HILL
🚢 UNITY 🚢
Sports - Hazy Pale w/ dank grapefruit & hoppy earthy aplomb.
Conflux - All-time great Pale, soft, citrusy & totally tropical.
Juxt - Luxurious, yet dangerously drinkable Affogato Stout.
FIONN - FINSBURY PARK
🏎 BOXCAR 🏎
Table Beer - A feat of flavour-to-volume brewing w/ fluffy malts galore.
Dark Mild - Moreish, comforting & nostalgic dark beer. A cult fave!
Native Place - Flagship, sherbety Pale w/ a smooth, creamy mouthfeel.
LARA - FOREST HILL
💫 GRAVITY WELL 💫
Universal Theory 3.0 - Their first DIPA reborn & amplified to juicy eleven.
Planetary Alignment - Thick Gose full of mango & pink guava w/ subtle salinity.
Phantom Energy - Rich, creamy NE Pale feat. tropical NZ Nectaron hops.
EDDY - CLAPTON
🍹 VAULT CITY 🍹
Strawberry Woo Woo - Dazzling & decadent fruit-packed smoothie Sour.
Tahiti Treat w/ Mash Gang - Session Sour w/ a wave of rum punch flavour.
Blueberry Pumpkin Spice Latte - Warming, wondrous spiced Sour.
TOM - BALHAM
👌 MONDO 👌
Book Club - Experimental, vinous IPA produced w/ Upslope Brewing.
Verhext - Zesty, precise WCIPA made alongside St Austell Brewery.
Grandpa Louis - Caramel-flecked, super suppable Mild w/ 2nd Shift.
Thanks for reading as ever & we hope you have a great weekend! - Team CC