Siren 8th Extravaganza, Mondo Madness, Pilton In Touch(ing) Distance!
H E L L O
C L A P T O N C R A F T
F A N S !
What a week/end we have in store for you! It's the last chance to grab tickets to our virtual tasting with Mondo, though there's a new festival just around the corner with Siren. Clapton Craft legend Martyn previews In Touch 2, his latest collaboration with Pilton. We've also snagged new vintage Pet Nats in the form of the delectable Naturlich. In addition, our webshop sees new drops from the illustrious Cloudwater, Vault City, Brew By Numbers, and Schneider Weisse turn back the clocks with a fresh, yet historic Helles. While, picks from around the shops vary from crispy lager goodness in Lost & Grounded, unmissable Portuguese reds from Quinta Da Boavista, to juice galore in Polly's, and so much more, but first...
B R E W E R Y O F
T H E W E E K
M O N D O
Last week we announced our super virtual tasting event with pals Mondo, which you can still grab in store before we kick off tonight at 7.30pm, but we thought it was only right to keep the Battersea blowout going! Spun on an axis of collective experience in SW8, they've revitalised their output with a firm focus on juicy, easy-drinking pales and superbly crafted lagers. Utilising a top of the line brew kit, with quality and consistency at the cornerstone of their efforts, it's never been a better time to dive into these cult favourites...
As such we have a bounty of freshies to get to know the bunch, including the exclusive first release of their Heller Bock, Capra. Here, Lager and Munich malt provide a sturdy base, with CaraMunich added for a hint of colour and residual sweetness. Floral Chinook hops are then added for bittering, all fermented with German Lager yeast for a surprisingly sluggable 7.2%, malty smasher. West Coast wonder Dennis Hopp'r returns in ample supply, while latest special Lightworks bridges the gap between East Coast hazy fun and something a little more clean, and Californian. Finally, the time has come for all-time favourite All Caps to hit can form. A touch sweeter than its European peers, the addition of maize lends a biscuity bite to the crisp refreshment you expect from a lager, all boosted by a hefty addition of zesty hop goodness.
Of course there's more from Mondo all with double loyalty points in store. So be sure to join our club in person, or shoot us an email and we can do the rest.
S T A Y
I N T O U C H
W / P I L T O N
Rather than butcher potentially the best cider bottle of the year, we thought there was no one better to introduce In Touch 2, then the man who made it himself, Cider Celebrity, Podcaster extraordinaire and ex-Finsbury Park head honcho, Martyn Sharman...
"I was lucky enough to form some wonderful relationships in cider back in the days of buying bottles for Clapton Craft. The goal was always to showcase the best I could get my hands on, ensuring the quality sat comfortably between their natural wine and craft beer. Pilton always stood out proudly, beautifully packaged, with a focus on keeving; a process used to retain residual sugar - all their bottles were intently accessible to newcomers. In the first lockdown I was invited to blend a cider with the man himself, and we put out In Touch. Pinot skins from wonderful Dunleavy brought tannins that matched the Somerset apples, while keeved juice's sugar brought life to the perceived fruit of the grape.
This time, it’s a new take on the same process, and I was there from press to bottling line, with each step designed to bring the worlds of vine and apple together, whilst remaining unmistakably Somerset Cider. I won’t give much away, but all I’ll say is that I’ve drank nearly as much of this as I have the first iteration! To me, it’s an ode to the summer we lost and one destined for the sunlit parks and gardens of 2021. Join us for a tasting on Pilton’s Instagram, for the reveal and taste along as part of Somerset Cider Week..."
If you can hold out, the shared reveal, and tasting will be live at 6pm Friday 23 April on Pilton's Instagram. Of course we'd probably recommend grabbing one for now, and one for later!
S I R E N ' S 8 T H
B I R T H D A Y
B E E R F E S T
In collaboration with the Craft Beer Channel and some other amazing partners, Siren have designed an online event beyond the scope of anything they’ve done, or anyone else has for that matter. Expect multiple stages, unique insights, special tastings and interesting debate. Available in shops and online now we have an anniversary set including three exclusive beers, accompanying glassware and access to their bonkers festival via an online code. We'll be joining the gang, and each purchase will enable entry into our own private Clapton Craft room! Featuring an all-star lineup of their inimitable Anniversary Barley Wine, Maiden 2020, Imperial Porter The Grateful 8 and juicy DIPA Bones Of A Sailor we cannot wait. Be sure to join us next week, starting from 2pm on Easter Friday for the craft ale-dayer...
N A T U R L I C H
P E T N A T
P E R F E C T I O N
Arriving just before the sweltering heatwave last year, Domaine Landron-Chartier's Pet Nats were a saving, quenching tonic. Third-generation winemaker Bernard had been working with his brother Jo in the heart of the Muscadet region, before moving in 2002 to the lesser-known Ancenis (North of Nantes). Initially his whole production was sold in bulk, but when eldest son Benoît returned inspired in 2008 with a degree in viticulture they began bottling their own organic wine. Made from Gamay grapes with zero added sulphur, Naturlich is effortlessly pure, vibrant and crunchy - think cherry party juice with a touch of class. Meanwhile their pastry-perfect Blanc arrives at a gluggable 11%, and is packed with peach and apricot, carried wonderfully by a brisk effervescence - ideal then for Vouvray lovers. We'd recommend getting on these quick though, as they didn't make it too far into Summer last time around!
M A N A G E R ' S
P I C K S
T H I S W E E K
HANNAH, N4 - THE KERNEL
London Sour - Light, doughy & zesty, a supremely sessionable sour.
Sour Cherry - Mixed culture saison-sour hybrid. Stone fruit deliciousness.
Table Beer - The citrusy all-singing, all-dancing OG Session Beer.
FRANKLIN, NW5 - HOWLING
Penny Floater - Superbly drinkable, mouthwatering NEIPA, balancing juicy peach & soft white grape notes.
Fun Loft - Dank, smashable, tropical goodness wrapped up in a suitably gluggable Pale Ale package.
ROB, SE23 - QUINTA BOAVISTA
Rufia - Bright & energetic red from Portugal's underrated Dao region, with prominent violet & dark fruit aromatics.
Lero-Lero - Soft, ethereal effort made completely without sulphur. Cranberry & black pepper dominates.
DAVE, SW12 - POLLY's
Oh My - Pineapple, coconut and sticky tropical fruit feature in this delectable NEIPA from the rising stars.
Falter - Single-hopped Mosaic IPA w/ blueberry, bubblegum, and mango notes, backed by an earthy complexity.
OSCAR, E5 - L&G
Keller Pils - Top-tier UK Lager, bright and wonderfully balanced.
Helles - Their latest core range addition, a soft, bready, floral future-classic.
Spring Protagonist - Robust Bitter w/ a delectable, lemon-marmalade character.
MELINDA, E17 - MAS THEO
Gemeaux - Robust red from one of the largest biodynamic growers. Crunchy Carignan meets rustic Mourvedre.
P'tit Gaby - Bold blend w/ super value. Dry pepper & spice coalesce with fruity pomegranate & delicious sour cherry.
W E B S H O P
H I G H L I G H T S
T H I S W E E K
🔢 BREW BY NUMBERS 🔢
Triple IPA Mosaic & Citra - Remarkably smooth five-hopped juice behemoth.
Mosaic IPA - Pillowy soft NEIPA full of ripe mango & blueberries atop floral fun.
Rustic Lager - Sweet, bready & full-bodied lager, yet zippy & refreshing.
☁️ CLOUDWATER ☁️
My Continuous Improvement - Gooey, truffle ganache disguised as an Impy Stout.
It's A New Day - Motueka & Sabro NEIPA, w/ zingy lime & creamy coconut flavours.
The Transformative Power - Exclusive TIPA for indie retailers, not to be missed.
❄️ SCHNEIDER LANDBRAUEREI ❄️
Bayrisch Hell - Revived historic Helles, pristine, crisp & clean. A new favourite!
🍋 VAULT CITY 🍋
Guava Kiwi Melon Mango - Imperial mega fruit monster. Spiked-smoothie glory.
Peach & Nectarine Sour - Vibrant, fresh fruit followed by creamy, vanilla luxury.
Pear Drop Session - Nostalgic sour with a sherbety body & a sharp, floral twang.
We've got more treats across our six locations and online, so be sure to take a look... As always thanks for reading!