Dusting off the Easter hangover, it’s time to get back on the horse and make our way round some of our favourite craft beer stockists. This month our journey has us enjoying tastings and takeaway beverages at bottle shops, sunny afternoon beers on seafront terraces, crafty cocktails and of course, pub lunches aplenty. Sometimes market research can be really tough but someone has to do it.
Bison Beer Crafthouse
A pebbles throw from the iconic Brighton beach sits what is possibly the most well known bottle shop on the south coast. Having recently sprung themselves into the media spotlight with a crowd funding campaign to open their own locally supported community pub, The Bison Arms, Nick and Jack keep themselves firmly grounded with their love of beer and desire to provide high quality craft beer to the people of Brighton. Operating on a philosophy of "focusing on small breweries that value quality over quantity", the Bison Beer Crafthouse holds a vast array of our bottled beer and rotate through our keg range on their tap wall, giving customers the opportunity to pick up a takeaway growler full of American craft beer. Grab yourself a mixed bottle box, or a growler, and head down the road to enjoy your haul on one of the UK's favourite beaches.
Celebrating their 1st Birthday over Easter Weekend. Photo from @BisonBeer on Instagram
The Tempest
The Tempest Inn is the latest addition to Brighton seafront, tucked away in the arches underneath the seafront road this Shakespeare-inspired tavern is an adventure in itself. Explore the caves of the ground floor to find a private nook for you and your friends to hideaway or head up to the first floor and look out on to the seafront through the floor to ceiling windows spanning the entire front of the building. A hit last summer, The Tempest is set to be even more popular this year especially with their outdoor bar stocking a fine selection of craft beers from the world including Fordham's Gypsy Lager, Copperhead Ale and Route 1 IPA.
Photo from The Tempest Inn on Facebook
The Libertine
With Spring in the air we'll be heading for the sunny south coast, more specifically, Worthing, to visit The Libertine. Stocking an array of craft beer, over 50 boutique gins and serving up locally sourced fish and veggie tapas style dishes, The Libertine will have us basking in the sunshine enjoying a cold crisp bottle of The Captain craft lager from Wingtip brewery.
Eastbourne Cocktail Club
In 2015 friends Justin and Benedict made the decision to take a slice of the London cocktail scene and serve it up in the coastal town of Eastbourne, they did so expertly in the form of the ECC. Taking influence from some of London's best bars whilst keeping their own identity, the ECC stands out as one of the most interesting cocktail bars on the south coast. Quality is a key focus at the venue, a focus that is reflected in the ingredients used, drinks created and beers stocked, including Burleigh's Distillers Cut Gin and Cucapa Mexican craft beers.
Porky’s Crouch End
The fourth instalment from BBQ masters Joy and Simon comes in the form of their North London restaurant, Porky’s Crouch End. Following the successful Memphis-style BBQ format of their Camden, Chelsea and Shoreditch Boxpark venues, Porky’s Crouch End continues the trend and doesn’t fail to impress with their BBQ menu packed full of pork, pork and more pork.
Photo from @PorkysLondon on Instagram
The Rylston, Fulham
Make the most of the Spring sunshine and get yourself over out onto ‘the deck’ at The Rylston, one of our favourite outdoor spaces in West London. Enjoy their award winning pizzas, crafted using fresh ingredients and cooked in the wood fired oven, or take a look at the locally sourced specials board to find one of the chef’s creations to enhance your experience at The Rylston. Now stocking Cameron’s Tontine Milk Stout alongside the full range of Fordham & Dominion beers.
Photo from @TheRylston on Instagram
Blues Smokehouse
"Arrive hungry, leave happy” is the simply advice given via the Blues website and this is definitely advice we recommend abiding by, no matter which Blue’s Smokehouse you visit. The growing chain of casual American diners have smokehouses in Bracknell and Twickenham, with plans for a third restaurant to be opening in Slough this May. Head to a Blue's Smokehouse for a platter of American BBQ classics ready to be shared with friends and family, then hit the bar where you’ll find their menu listing a fine selection of international craft beverages including Fordham favourites; Gypsy Lager, Copperhead and Route 1.
Photo from @BluesSmokehouse on Instagram
45 West Bottle Shop, Leicester
The success of 45 West is nothing short of astounding, this premium retail outlet in the heart of Leicester not only stocks the finest alcohol products in town, it also houses one of the classiest cocktail bars and hosts an abundance of must-attend events for all drinks enthusiasts. Being a market leader it comes as no surprise that 45 West now stocks Camerons Tontine Milk Stout amongst their ever impressive range of craft beers.
Photo from @45WestBottleShop on Instagram
As always, let us know your favourite places to drink a good beer!