Fresh Southampton Suds, Loire Legends, Web Wonders & Mega Manager Picks!
H E L L O
C L A P T O N C R A F T
F A N S !
It's already feeling a little chillier (and damper, though you wouldn't know from the above!) as Autumn sets in proper, but thankfully we've got some red hot releases to help warm your spirits. Fan favourites Unity make their overdue return, this time garnering headline status with an exceptional array of treats, new and old. Following on we have our first imported goods live and direct from Loire legends Domaine De L'Aumonier, who have a pretty crazy backstory.
Over on the Webshop, we have a bit of an all-star cast including Cantillon, Cloudwater, The Kernel, and Vault City. While, our managers shout about those aforementioned gastronomical-inspired greats VC, as well as Pillars and Pentire (both with tastings tonight), Siren, Exale, and more. Read on for the full deets, this one's an absolute doozy across the board...
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E
W E E K
This week we're kicking things off with a pallet of fresh goods from those steering the ship of Southampton craft, Unity Brew Co. We've always had a soft spot for our port side pals, with the community-owned brewery bringing people together through innovative, creative beer of the highest quality. And, with sustainability at the forefront of their ethos, they're proud to make completely vegan beers, all fully powered by renewable energy. Focusing on super soft Pale Ales, suppable Lagers, and ingenious Sours we're delighted to have six slammers, after far too long apart.
Up first, a trio of future core range classics! Only The Sea is their award-winning House IPA (fka Collision), boasting juicy, dank drinkability in spades. While, luxurious Stout Juxt is aptly named for the juxtaposition between the hot and cold of Affogato, itself a medley of rich, roasty coffee and silky ice cream notes. Their latest permanent addition BRB is a classic, super refreshing German-style Pilsner with a not-so-classic blend of English Fuggles and Target hops. Fermented with Swiss lager yeast, you'll have to taste and believe the herbal-meets-crisp magic here.
The aptly named Sports marks the welcome addition (and mass appeal) of a Hazy Pale in our line-up. Hopped with Chinook, Mosaic, and Vic Secret expect squishy grapefruit and roasted pineapple aplenty. In contrast, they've worked with their new friends from St Louis, 2nd Shift on You Are Here, a West Coast that brings bitter, bold, and resinous flavour, big time! Finally, teaming up with our Battersea buds Mondo, we've got another banging Sour from the south squad with Spine Tingling Adventures. Made with vanilla and yuzu, this is a punchy flavour combo that sees creamy candy sweetness coalesce with zingy citrus fun. We think it's worth the taste buds shock for sure.
Of course, we've got the ever-enticing deal of double loyalty points across our Brewery Of The Week in-store, with 10% of 6 or more online. Make sure you dive into those juicy waters, you won't regret it!
F R E S H
F R E N C H
F A N C I E S
🇫🇷 🇫🇷 🇫🇷 🇫🇷 🇫🇷
Quite literally starting from nothing, Sophie & Thierry Chardon began Domaine De L'Aumonier in the far eastern reaches of the Touraine appellation in 1996. Thierry’s parents were growers in the region, but he had gone to Paris to fulfil his childhood dream of becoming a firefighter. However, towards the end of his five-year employment contract, he met Sophie, and soon decided to leave Paris and firefighting behind with her. Returning to the area, he discovered that the man who bought his parent's vines needed a vineyard manager, to which he stepped up with the help of his father's tutelage, and Sophie's assistance.
After six years, and having inherited some of his grandfather's vines, the plan was originally to sell the grapes to a négociant (a wine merchant), but within weeks a retired grower got wind of the transaction and offered to sell them 25 acres of vines to complete their full vineyard. Just about able to buy the necessary equipment, they have since expanded, again and again, growing in reputation and acres, becoming Organic in 2003, and Biodynamic in 2021.
"We have worked daily to cultivate our vines, with reason, prudence and respect. We hope that the spirit, energy and pleasure that emanate from each of our cuvées will delight you and allow you a moment of pleasure, sharing and conviviality" - Thierry & Sophie.
Originating from a terroir famed for its fresh, crisp, rounded fruit flavours (especially in their youth) we're absolutely thrilled to have seven different entries from their exceptional, and ever-expanding range. From their tense, dry Sauvignon Blanc, to their juicy, purple Gamay, thirst-quenching Torraine Rosé, or complex sparkling Chenin, Bulles De Touraine there is most certainly a little something for everyone. Hit the link below for our full tasting notes or be sure to take a peek in-store at what we have on offer...
W E B S H O P
W O N D E R S
T H I S W E E K
📲 📲 📲 📲 📲
🍾 CANTILLON 🍾
(LIMITED 1 PP 750ML / 2 PP 375ML)
Gueuze 100% Lambic Bio - Arguably the quintessential straight Lambic.
Rose De Gambrinus - Fragrant & jam-packed full of acidic Raspberry brilliance.
🌦 CLOUDWATER 🌦
The Light Grey One - Ripe, juicy rebrew of an all-time favourite Double IPA.
Crystallography - Intense, resinous & deliciously dry West Coast DIPA.
🍹 VAULT CITY 🍹
Pineapple Habanero Sour - A sweet, fleshy fruit meets spicy taste sensation.
Lychee & Ginger - Asian fusion-inspired Sour w/ light citrus & herbal notes aplenty.
Dark Fruits Cookie Dough Dreamcake - Moreish & mammoth pastry perfection.
Tahiti Treat w/ Mash Gang - Session Sour w/ a wave of rum punch flavour.
💯 THE KERNEL 💯
Biere De Saison Apricot - Mellow & refreshing, yet soaked in fruit flavour.
BDS Small Damson Sour Cherry - Blended, clean, sharp & complex Sour.
M A N A G E R
P I C K S
T H I S W E E K
👌 👌 👌 👌 👌
EDDY - CLAPTON
💫 ELB 💫
Navigator - Silky NE Pale w/ freshly cut pineapple & zingy gooseberry notes.
East End Lager - Crisp, crushable & gently bitter unfiltered Pilsner.
Two Swans - Hazy Pale loaded w/ tropical fruit flavour & a bitter citrus tinge.
🗣 TASTING TODAY 5-7 🗣
CHIPPY - ST JOHN'S HILL
🌊 PENTIRE 🌊
Seaward - AF Botanical Spirit, crafted from unique plants native to the Cornish coastline. Verdant & zesty!
Adrift - Original, easy-drinking blend feat. rock samphire, sage & citrus for herbaceous & fresh flavour.
🗣 TASTING TODAY 5-8 🗣
LARA - FOREST HILL
🥤 VAULT CITY 🥤
Dark Fruits Cookie Dough Dreamcake - Moreish & mammoth pastry perfection.
Tahiti Treat w/ Mash Gang - Session Sour w/ a wave of rum punch flavour.
Red Jammie PB Marshmallow Honeycomb - Decadence personified!
TOM - BALHAM
🌤 EXALE 🌤
Swag - Old school WCIPA, resinous, piney & properly bitter.
Krankie - Ingenious, tangy Iron Brew Sour. Need we say anymore?
Dinky - Juicy Micro IPA bound for all day (& night) drinking at just 2.8%.
ILARIA - KENTISH TOWN
🚨 SIREN 🚨
Haus Party - Light, zippy, celebratory Festbier, just in time for Oktoberfest.
Broken Dream - Their flagship Breakfast Stout, a creamy classic!
Half Mast - Mango & grapefruit laden Micro IPA screaming sessionable.
FIONN - FINSBURY PARK
🇧🇪 TILQUIN 🇧🇪
Sureau - Exceptional Lambic, funky, floral & infused w/ elderberries.
Pinot Gris - Saturated in 280g/l of grapes, for spicy stone fruit fun.
Riesling - Vinous Gueuze w/ plenty of zingy apricot & peach flavour.
SAM - WOOD STREET
🪐 GRAVITY WELL 🪐
Kveik It Simple - All Idaho 7 NEIPA w/ bags of green passion fruit flavour.
Abstract Coordinates - Saline, yet smoothie-like raspberry & mango Sour.
Hubble Bubble - Dank, unique & enticing DIPA, a real favourite.
MEL - WALTHAMSTOW
🍺 PILLARS 🍺
Hopfenpils - Bready North German-style pils w/ lemon & gooseberry notes.
Pils - Gluggable & Gluten Free, an eternal, crispy crowd pleaser.
Helles - Easy-drinking, yet award-winning traditional Munich Lager.
Thanks for joining us on another boozy briefing, have a great weekend! - Team CC