Orbit & Brick Deliver The Goods, Staff Selects w/ Rob & Autumnal Natural Reds
H E L L O
C L A P T O N C R A F T
F A N S !
Don't shoot the messenger but we might have found ourselves heading dangerously close to Autumn. Thankfully, we've got a few things up our sleeves to help warm you up (and also a few last drops of Summery goodness if you'd like to stick your head in the sand). There's new beers from Peckham's finest Brick, a long-overdue Brewery of The Week in Orbit, plus South London's favourite son Rob dishing out a Staff Selects, as well as some suitably toasty natural reds to get stuck into as the days get shorter - and finally a few frankly bonkers online treats to round it off!
B R I C K
B Y
B R I C K
In addition to a restock on all of Brick's mainstay favourites like the juicy Peckham Session IPA and crispy Pils we've got a duo of new specials at each end of the style spectrum. A new name, but by no means a new style, their Florida Weisse sees heavy doses of whole fruit added post-fermentation to a Berliner Weisse base. As a result the majority of sugars remain intact rather than being fermented out by the yeast, leaving a full, luscious mouthfeel. Here, their inspired Elderberry Sour (cranberry or lingonberry-esque) has vibrant fruitiness with delicate, earthy undertones, while almonds add sweet, nutty baked good notes. Meanwhile, their Autumn IPA utilises a complex grist including all manner of oats for a slick, full body. Hops are abundant with a heady mix of Nelson Sauvin, Citra, Galaxy, Loral and Idaho 7 making for a complex tropical fruit salad vibe and what we both agree to be "serious slurp factor".
B R E W E R Y
O F T H E W E E K
O R B I T
Orbit originated from a pretty epic journey with founder, Robert, setting off in his VW campervan to discover beer in the land of whisky! This pilgramage took him to every last brewery in his native Scotland, from the northernmost island in Shetland to the far reaches of the Outer Hebrides. The result was a book called The Tea Leaf Paradox and a burning desire to create a forward-thinking brewery with deep roots in traditional, European styles.
Having now cemented a pretty stellar core range we're delighted to see more specials (or 'White Labels') than ever. From their iconic revival of the Tzatziki Sour, a barmy but undeniably brilliant take on the classic dish featuring fresh cucumber, yoghurt and mint notes, to their Nelson Pale, a clean zesty, gooseberry laden kiwi classic or their dark, delectable Munich Lager there's surely a little something for everyone. If that wasn't enough they've also just released a much in-demand throwback West Coast Pale Ale hopped with tangerine, spice-filled Centennial and Cascade. Brewed for One Night Records, their Lockdown Pale celebrates London's first socially distanced immersive live music venue.
Of course there's double loyalty points in store across all Orbit beers, so make sure to give them a spin. You can sign up for the club in store, or shoot us an email and we can do the rest.
S T A F F S E L E C T S
W I T H
S E 2 3 ' S R O B
For our third edition of Staff Selects we caught up with Forest Hill's new fearless leader, and Saison Supporter Rob. Catch some of the highlights below or read the full chat here.
So, what have you been drinking at the moment, or what's in the fridge lying in waiting?
A Kernel Biere De Saison Cider Apple, I’ve been keeping that bad boy for a while. All the German lagers, I might have to grab another Big Milk soon, I’m pretty obsessed. I do agonise over what to take home. Every few weeks or so I take back a case, but along the way it's a series of heavy edits - it’s a painful, emotional process, but something to cleanse the soul...
Who’s your pick for the most underrated brewery in the scene right now?
Duration! Though they do get heaps of respect, they definitely deserve more. I’ve smashed a fair few Little Fanfares recently, and am eying up the Dripping Pitch for a West Coast road beer.
What are your three desert island beers?
Obviously, the Cider Apple BDS - if you can catch yourself a pig to go with you’re set on this hypothetical tropical island. The Boxcar Best Bitter for sure, and a good lager. Let’s go for the Braybrooke Keller Lager, an absolute staple.
What are the biggest misconceptions about Craft Beer?
Bottles vs cans, the age old debate... People are still convinced it doesn't taste as good. As soon as someone even mentions it I’ve stuck the kettle on and got my whiteboard out for the seminar.
If you could enforce one rule in Clapton Craft, no questions asked, what would it be?
I mean I’d say everyone has to come bearing one gift (Ed - like a child's birthday party?) Exactly. Chocolate, coffee, whatever it’s up to you, surprise me!
What’s the best part about the job?
Recently the air-con... Seriously though, the customers, they’re all so chilled out, it’s just such a community vibe. Everyone’s happy to stand around for 20 minutes and chat about their personal life - it’s all totally natural, I’ve been given so many sourdough starters, it’s pretty dreamy.
Be sure to read the rest of our conversation here. You can catch Rob in our Forest Hill shop throughout the week, or on Instagram!
A U T U M N A L
N A T U R A L
R E D S
As we head into somewhat colder times, it's a more than opportune moment to highlight some bright, funky, seasonal reds. And, where better place to start than Camillo Donati's stone-cold classic sparking red from Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy. Lambrusco made from grapes picked at full-ripeness and fermented with native yeasts gives generous and full plum, cherry and raspberry notes with a pleasant spiciness on the finish for the perfect party piece. With similarly crunchy tannins, Catherine & Andre Breton's Cab Franc Trinch! from the Loire Valley is also not to be missed. Bottled without fining or filtration, fresh cherry and pepper aromas dominate alongside irresistibly herbal, drying tannins. For those after some pretty extraordinary value, look no further than Valle Unite's Alessandrino Rosso. A smokey, earthy natural Barbera with sweet spice and a juicy, almost grassy finish to complete a pretty mega trio!
N E W
W E B T R E A T S
T H I S W E E K
🚨 SIREN 🚨
Sunset To The Skies - Clean, crisp and bright helles lager, whatever the style, in Siren we trust.
Middle Finger Discount - Spicy, dank and deeply tropical Mosaic IPA spun on Cedar wood.
🧭 NORTHERN MONK 🧭
Astro Gary - Zesty, thick Sour IPA based on the classic, tangy rainbow sweet.
Dream Line Forms 5 - Heavy hitting Nelson & Galaxy collab IPA with some of the UK's finest.
🔢 BREW BY NUMBERS 🔢
Coffee Porter Yacuanquer Espresso - Decadent imperial with salted chocolate brownie notes.
Peach Melba Triple Fruited Gose - Creamy peaches meet juicy raspberries, and vanilla luxury!
💧 DROP PROJECT 💧
Ripple - Clean, classic, West Coast IPA with bold, piney citrus flavours.
Noseslide - Practically straight out the punch bowl, a tropical, thick NEIPA.
As always there's even more to discover online, and in all six stores. Enjoy the weekend folks!