Staff Selects #1 with Ash Mckean

In a new series we'll be chatting to some of our nearest and dearest about life in the shops, offering up their top tips for news, brews and more. For our inaugural entry it just had to be roaming shop-keeper and the longest serving member of the team, Ash Mckean.

How did you get through lockdown?

All the things you shouldn't do, to begin with. Never feel bad about sitting in your underwear and watching a TV series with some Ben & Jerry’s. Even when you're constantly aware of seeing people on Instagram, and it’s the best part of their lives and they’re being really productive, it’s fine, whatever works for you. Painting, playing Guitar definitely helped. Also maybe just don’t go on Instagram.

First pint after lockdown and did it live up to expectation?

Camden Helles, at The Star by Hackney Down. Yeah it did, perfectly carbonated - just seeing that in a pint glass. First one might have actually been at the Red Hand but I’m not sure I can quite remember it. Yeah that definitely happened.

So what have you got in the fridge at the moment?

Sonorous from Affinity, two cans of Coke, a pint of Whole Milk and that’s actually it… we have just moved in though, I should lie really, say we’ve got a bottle of Mother Rock's Liquid Skin, it is my favourite, and a way better answer…

Most underrated brewery?

Vibrant Forest, my hometown boys! Pupa has been so good for so long, and it's not crazy to think they could be as big as Verdant, Deya etc. Just so consistent. Viridis their latest sour is something else.

Most controversial opinion in craft beer?

It’s all inherently opinionated, it might be too hard to say. Brewery taprooms are sometimes unbelievably overpriced, especially so close to the source.

Favourite food pairing?

Honestly? A Medium Rare Cheeseburger with a really glorious beer, probably an IPA that can hold up to it. Something like Deya’s Into The Haze.

What would be your three desert island beers?

Pale Fire it has to be, doesn't it? I can’t say Stella in a Clapton Craft interview, Augustiner Helles or the Pils, in terms of loving the lager. Ah you know what... the Brick Citrus Sour, not the last one but the one before. Just like Capri-Sun.

Ultimate date night picks?

A selection for sure, you never know. Gran Cerdo Tempranillo and then some Vibrant Forest Pupa’s and always one big tart sour, a passionfruit gose as people are always a little surprised how nice they are… A Pastore if possible. And, some Perello Olives why not? Bit of a ropey one sours & olives.

If you had your own brewery, what would you be known for?

The first thing I would do is create an unbelievable lager, one of the hardest styles to make, maybe a proper Bavarian lager. I’d aim to make it is as much like Cantillon as possible, as DIY and sustainable as possible, reuse Vat tanks. I mean it’s a brewery doing 750ml sharers of amazing but affordable beers. Not expensive enough for people to turn up their noses. We hate how much of a classist industry it can be…

Beer 2020 prediction?

Well nothing might happen this year as nothing has really happened for quite a while now... maybe a shift to seasonal shopping - sours in summer, stouts in winter, people seem to be understanding beer a lot more these days. Everyone’s become so much more aware, and able to try different things without seeing it as a risk. You don't necessarily get people coming in anymore and getting six of the same thing, it's great.

Where are you travelling to when this is all over?

I think it would have to be a Californian wine trip, vineyards up the coast, breweries in between, I’ve done San Diego before but I regret just not doing that. Meeting new people and taking chances on things.

If you could sell one other product in Clapton Craft what would it be?

Lilt. Pallets of lilt, an essential part of working in the shop. Especially, when so many beers are trying and failing to be Lilt.

What’s your shop soundtrack at the moment?

The latest Happyness record, the new Protomartyr, a lot of Helvetia and the new No Age LP, I’m massively into heavy Punk music so you do have to tailor it a little.

Favourite story from the shops?

There’s a girl in E17 in 6 or 7 who genuinely picks up beers for her dad, not in that way but I love it, “no Daddy doesn’t like that one Mummy, he likes this one”.

If you could enforce one rule in Clapton Craft what would it be?

No one is allowed to ask, “I drank a beer that had like a blue label two years ago do you know what it is?” I just can’t help you.

What do you do when not in the shops?

Paint! Guitar, Playstation (in that order) and actually drinking the beers.

Best part about the job?

The people we work with, it’s the longest I’ve been in a job with one company. Without wishing to get sentimental when I was ill for four months with something pretty serious, they were incredibly supportive, it goes without saying. Everyone is incredibly easy to get on with, and everyone really cares about everything, and yet we don’t take it too seriously. Also a big shout out to some of our locals who make it all happen, those who come in for a chat and just make your job so easy.

To see more from Ash, including his painting, you can follow him on Instagram (which he's definitely not browsing right now).