Verdant Drop, Putty Launch In Wood St & Budget Spanish Bangers!
H E L L O
C L A PT O N C R A F T
C R E W !
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That's right it's 0-60 in ABV from last week to this as we move from Mash Gang to Verdant! With the green glory, Putty released in cans very soon, along with an exclusive draught launch in Wood St tonight, the Cornish kingpin's headline after their last appearance just a month ago. Who can really blame us though?
For those of you on a tight January booze budget, we're also sing the praises of Entremontes' everyday vino sluggers. Hailing from the famed growing region of La Mancha, Spain these somehow balance finesse, accessibility and price point to a ridiculous degree.
Up top though, you might have seen we had our Annual Staff Party earlier this week. A chance for us to finally catch up all together after a hectic festive season, it was also somewhat bittersweet as we said a proper goodbye to a true legend of CC...
G O O D B Y E T O M M Y
& S T A F F P A R T Y
S H E N A N I G A N S
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That's right the man responsible for your favourite memes (no he's not the Real Housewives Of Clapton, stop asking), and photos, as well as the running of our Webshop is leaving us for pastures new. We might still be in the denial phase but Tom is most certainly outta here, with a year's travelling in Australia and New Zealand signed and sealed for April.
Travelling with his wife Hannah (also ex-Clapton Craft parish) he'll be exploring the Antipodean promised land while no doubt getting stuck in with some superb wineries.
Before leaving (pictured beautifully here pre and post too many Clapton Helles) he was our longest-serving team member, after founders Tom and Will. Initially heading up Kentish Town, he became a temporary delivery driver during the COVID chaos and then an Online don in the span of over five years.
We're sure he'll smash whatever he does in the future, but we'll of course miss him dearly. It's safe to say Clapton Craft wouldn't be in the position we are now without him, so be sure to buy him a pint if you see him ahead of his travels, and bonus points if that pour has a sparkler.
It was pretty fortunate then we were able to have a big send-off to celebrate both his and the team's tireless work this past Monday. As such, we journeyed to the southern depths of Peckham and Camberwell for a mega crawl to shake things up from our usual trip to the mecca of Rowans.
We hit up the Hermit's Cave for frothy pints, feasted at Persepolis (BYOBs FTW), messed around at Loading Bar, and yes even partied well into the night including a big karaoke session at the Prince Of Peckham. A huge thanks to all of those who looked after a rowdy group of 25 crafters on a Monday!
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E
W E E K
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New Year's resolutions imply change but we could just never think of levelling that at Verdant. Proving themselves time and time again to be hazy style masters, while offering up a smattering of intrigue elsewhere, we want more of the same please! And, with our last few drops focussing on those differentials, we've instead doubled down on some good old-fashioned juicy joy to start the year off right and quite frankly, who does it better?
As to what most, or hopefully some, of you are here for, we'll cut to the chase - the first date of the year every juicehead puts in the diary is upon us. The green good stuff, the myth, the legend, the hop phenomenon - Putty is back soon, and yes we have some.
First brewed in 2017 for Northern Monk's Hop City festival this green enigma sold out in record time. So they thought why not brew it again, to hopefully stand amongst the heavyweights in the haze world. Of course, lightning has struck six times since, for a ray of juicy sunshine in an otherwise quiet spot of the calendar.
Maintaining its historic shine this Galaxy, Azacca and Mosaic DIPA has remarkably had the same recipe since its inception. Founded upon an impeccably pillowy body with masses of creamy, dank hop saturation this positively glows "like a satsuma in a pint of double cream". Expect deep mangoes, apricots and freshly cut grass notes to pervade your senses, with each sip taking on a new layer of complexity.
Unfortunately, this year was another minuscule batch, but we'll take what we're given. Cans will be launched this coming Monday in all stores, with limits per person to make things fair, though you can ask to pre-order some in-store this weekend (if you ask nicely).
Webshop stock is available online now for delivery next Tuesday but we recommend acting sharpish or giving your local a bell ahead of travelling if in doubt. We're not likely to see a restock anytime soon (there's simply no more beer to go around), but we will shout about it if a miracle does happen. Until then, roll on the 2025 batch.
Thankfully, however, we have five other equally impressive brews that although might be a tad lighter, never compromise on sheer flavour. Leading the pack, soft, sluggable Pale People, Money, Space, Time gets a hero's welcome. Saturated in lush flavour, combining citric sharpness and pure hop power at just 3.4% - we just don't know how they do it.
Following up, there's a second core classic returning in Sundialer. Another heavenly Pale expect radiant grapefruit, and zesty lime, with just a lick of bitterness adding to that moreishness. A slight exception to this drop, Optical Allusion is a crisp, zippy West Coast-leaning affair, though still with bags of tropical character.
Finally, we have two equally juicy IPAs in They Went On Forever and De-Bleaker. The former is more sweet and clean, while the latter brings a little more savoury, earthy-funk. Both, are in their own ways, a delight.
Of course, we're offering up double loyalty points in-store on all Verdant beers (including Putty) alongside the ever-enticing offer of 10% off 6 or more on the Webshop. Come on in, the murky water's fine!
P U T T Y
W O O D S T
L A U N C H
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If you thought the Verdant or Putty chat was over, then think again! We're thrilled to say the Wood St Depot is an exclusive launch site for the green machine, with the beer pouring TODAY along with an accompanying Tap Takeover. The Cornish legends have also been kind enough to bend the rules slightly and allow takeaway can sales for the evening ahead of the shop-wide release this Monday coming, but blink and you'll miss them!
On draught we'll have the likes of their Munich Helles, People Money Space Time, De-Bleaker, Sundialer, and yes just 20 litres of that silly Double IPA.
To soak up that booze, residents Sho Foo Doh will of course be firing on all cylinders with their inspired Express Menu. If you haven't tried anything yet, make sure you correct that mistake immediately. We hope to see you E17 locals there...
P U T T Y
W O O D S T
L A U N C H
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An award-winning cooperative in central Spain's La Mancha region, we stumbled upon Entremontes largely by chance as they were recommended to us by another producer.
Sitting 700m above sea level between areas of the Mediterranean countryside, nestled between huge holm oak trees and aromatic plants, the vineyards have ideal growing conditions for fresh, young wines, meant to be drunk now.
Produced with a dedication to the "enological (winemaking) experience that combines tradition, quality and sustainability" their Organic wines have gone down a storm in-store challenging even the mighty Gran Cerdo for their grab-and-go, weeknight potential.
Priced both at £12.50 we have their White and Red available with somewhat dwindling numbers remaining (though we have already placed our next order for import weeks ago!).
Made from the native grapes the Airén Organic pours an elegant pale straw colour with an intense fruity and floral aroma, highlighting the subtle tones of pineapple, peach and banana, together with a hint of roses. Soft, full-bodied and rounded on the palate with a dry finish it's a crowd-pleaser for sure.
The Tempranillo Ecológico also originates from those trusty, old vines. A lovely mix of floral and fruity aromas; roses, wildflowers, raspberry and strawberry this has loads of nuance on the palate with soft and elegant tannins, fleshy berry fruit and a supple texture.
We hope you continue to take a punt on these value-packed bottles, we know we will!
Take care & have a great weekend whatever you're up to! - Team CC