Vibrant Forest Return, Chubbles & Omnipollo Web Drop, Siren B'day Beers, Fresh Verdant Juice!
H E L L O
C L A P T O N C R A F T
F A N S !
We're overjoyed to finally be Spring-ing forward this week, with that thing we remember called the sun back in full force. And, to match the season we've got some absolutely blinding bevs, with hoppy green shoots aplenty. Up top, we welcome the return of the brilliant Vibrant Forest, while there's celebratory suds from Siren and a much-needed Verdant resupply. If that wasn't enough there's a hype double header of Omnipollo and Cloudwater's Chubbles on the Webshop. Meanwhile, our Managers sing the praises of Boxcar, Drop Project, Mondo, Polly's, and more. But without further ado, onto those cult favourites!
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E
W E E K
It's been far too long since we've had the New Forest dons on our shores, but rest assured we've not forgotten about our pals, Vibrant Forest. Having worked with them since the early days of CC, and journeying to their idyllic homeland for the perennial perfection of collab Misty Woods, it's been a joy to see them continually excel, and begin to hit the mainstream. With an array of hop-forward hits, silky Stouts, and the odd stunning Sour, they pack passion and sheer flavour into every last drop of their beer. As such we're thrilled to celebrate them this week and welcome in three classics alongside a trio of fresh favourites. Now, let's dig in...
It just wouldn't be a haul from Vibrant without their perfect Pale, Pupa. Straddling East and West Coast styles, think Steady meets Pintle; here glowing citrus and ripe tropical flavour meet with a full, oat-laden finish and a touch of refreshing stone fruit bitterness. Firmly in the California camp Kaleidoscope offers up lashings of pine, crisp citrus, and grapefruit glory. With a bracing bite, this is sure to leave a lasting impression. Offering up a similar level of drinkability Porter Black Forest has impressively dense notes of rich, roasty coffee and chocolate, yet there's a harmony at 4.9% that'll keep you coming back for more and more.
Brewed with Northern pun masters Brew York, How Berry Dare You is a welcome change up in style, and lands perfectly in time for those double digit temperatures this weekend. A jammy Gose saturated with forest fruits, this has a shockingly quenchable, saline finish. Meanwhile, all Idaho 7 IPA, Altitudes V5 is the latest in their experimental hop series. Lending roasted mango and prickly pink grapefruit flavour, this is ever-so soft, with a resinous tinge. Finally, I've Got The Remedy is a mammoth Mexican Imperial Stout to top off a killer selection. Utilising Mulato, Chipotle, Pasilla, Ancho and Guajillo chillis, underpinned by a comfortingly, warming chocolatey malt base this is both more subtle and even more bonkers than you could expect...
We're offering up a rather enticing 10% off six or more online, or double loyalty points in store to help you reacquaint yourselves with (for our money) one of the most underrated breweries in the UK right now. So, there's never been a better time to get to know and fill that fridge!
F R E S H
C O R N I S H
C L A S S I C S
Admittedly, we're down to the bare hoppy bones from our last Verdant drop, but in the nick of time, we're righting that wrong with five fresh faces! This time around we see the long awaited return of the ever crushable XPA Lightbulb and that sweaty, dank Mosaic IPA Bloom (it could only be in craft beer that a tasting note of cheesy and chewy here could be a good thing). Following up sherbety slammer There Will Be No Intervals finds the perfect middle ground between these two. A punchy little Pale, this is full of pineapple meets mango swagger, and is loaded with that green goodness.
Adding to the ranks we have OG murk in Even Sharks Need Water, a Citra and Galaxy heavyweight with huge apricot esters, and a pillowy, umami-esque consistency. Rounding things off is one of their most cherished beers, and for good reason, Fruit Car Sight Exhibition is after all a celebration of everyone's favourite hop in dangerous DIPA format. Soft and luscious with wallops of tropical and citrus fruit this is insanely sluggable and a feat of big brewing!
S I R E N
B I R T H D A Y
B A N G E R S
We can't quite believe the sensational Siren have reached the grand old age of 9! A mainstay of our shelves and fridges since day one we can't wait to raise a beer or two to them tonight, and as luck would have it we have three freshies as one of their exclusive launch venues for such an occasion.
Opener Twists is a West Coast IPA circling back to how this thing called Craft Beer started in the first place. Embodying everything about the style, this is loaded with punchy, fresh, resinous hop character and sings with clean, unapologetic bitterness. On the other hand, Turns is a deep and decadent Barrel Aged Imperial Stout celebration. Pouring with oily slickness, inviting chocolate and distinct Amburana jump to the fore. Sure it's sweet, but this is wonderfully balanced by wood tannins, luxurious vanilla, marzipan, and tonka for a truly tantalising effort.
Of course, we also have a limited supply of their anniversary Barleywine, Maiden. With each vintage utterly unique, and only officially released today, who knows what this one is like, though we can agree it will be something rather special.
O M N I P O L L O &
C L O U D W A T E R
C H A O S O N L I N E
The original hype hoarders, it's rare these days we're blessed with Omnipollo's presence. Here for a good time, not a long time we're lucky enough to have three of their illustrious Pastry Stouts this time around on the Webshop, and my word these sound like something else.
In collaboration with the aforementioned Siren we have their 6th Anniversary edition of Lorelei, a rich, coconut maple toast inspired Imperial Porter, this transcendent treat has been specially made with six different kinds of coconut for a sticky sweet slammer. In addition, In Plenty sees inspiration from almond coffee cake with layers of nutty, roasted notes accompanied by a creamy, vanilla, and fondant filling. Finally, working with fellow Swedes Dugges, the nostalgic Anagram is an annual blueberry cheesecake Stout not to be missed. Gastronomical greatness threeways indeed!
It's Chubbles season! That's right it's either your hoppy highlight or TIPA lowlight of the year, depending on if you manage a social media feed and will be disappointing a fair few punters... Unfortunately, we've only been blessed with a smidgen of stock from the first wave of their The Veil collaborations in the form of Chubbles Chubbles and Chubbles³: Enhanced. These are an online exclusive this time around, only made available NOW (12-24 cans split between nine shops including online, just doesn't make sense), though fret not, there are new variants on the way next week...
But, you can of course avoid disappointment by collecting any online order placed through our Webshop. Just use code COLLECTION at checkout for free P&P and include your local shop in the cart notes or in an email, and we'll get your order to your nearest Clapton Craft as soon as we feasibly can. It won't be as quick as our Parcelforce Express service but it will allow you to secure those precious suds!
M A N A G E R
P I C K S
T H I S W E E K
ILARIA - KENTISH TOWN
🛹 DROP PROJECT 🛹
Shifty - A firm fave DDH Pale, coming for the Steady Rolling Man crown.
Choppy - Beautifully smooth & sessionable Irish Dry Stout.
Bloom - Light, floral, crisp & classic Saison w/ pals Duration.
🗣 TASTING TODAY 4-7PM 🗣
FIONN - FINSBURY PARK
🏎 BOXCAR 🏎
Double Dark Mild - Softer & smoother than Stout, a luxurious take on a classic.
Opal Mist - Zingy, murky DDH Pale, saturated in tropical hop flavour.
Table Beer - Fluffy malts & zesty hops blend for an all-day slurper.
OPHIE - CLAPTON
🎉 PARTIZAN 🎉
Lemon Thyme - Zesty & dry Saison w/ a subtle herbal addition.
Lemongrass - Lifted citrus aromas tempered by a delicate, grainy body.
Iced Tea - Floral, juicy blend redolent of a Japanese Summer.
LARA - FOREST HILL
🦜 POLLY'S 🦜
Sweet Treasure - Lip-smacking Sloe Sour w/ a tinge of almond complexity.
Little Nada - Sticky, juicy & dank Pale Ale, just the way we like 'em.
Rosa - Five-hopped, all time fave DIPA. Ultra thick & full of fresh pine.
SERGIO - WOOD STREET
🍁 ARBOR 🍁
C-Bomb - All Citra hazy Pale Ale. Think gooey grapefruit & soft citrus peel.
Pocket Rocket - Huge flavour to abv SIPA. Punchy passion fruit power!
Faked Alaska - Delectable milkshake IPA. Peachy fun w/ creamy aplomb.
MEL - WALTHAMSTOW
💫 MONDO 💫
Captain - DDH Pale w/ low-no bitterness. Juicy & clean as you like.
Lightworks - Seriously sluggable SIPA w/ light citrus & grapefruit notes.
Road Soda - New England Pale bursting w/ fruity, bubblegum aroma.
CHIPPY - ST JOHN'S HILL
🇨🇿 VINOHRADSKY PIVOVAR 🇨🇿
11 - Unpasteurised & unfiltered Pilsner w/ bags of fresh, herbal Saaz hops.
12 - Unique, golden Lager w/ delicate aroma & a biting, balanced bitterness.
Western Approaches - Zingy IPL w/ floral-citrus aromas & earthy tones.
ARTHUR - BALHAM
🔢 BBNO 🔢
Pale Ale Citra - Vibrant showcase of the all-time tropical favourite hop.
Blueberry Gose - Full-bodied & creamy, a sweet, salty & sour berry explosion!
IPA w/ L'Ermitage - Floral, green & boasting rich, overripe fruity glory.
As always we hope you enjoyed our boozy briefing, enjoy your weekend & the sun!