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With last month's abundance of beer fests out the way, you may be forgiven for thinking you'd get through September relatively dry. Not so. Hugh Thomas spoke to beer blogger Rebecca Pate about her top five tap takeovers of the month.
Wimbledon Brewery: We Brought the Brewery
There’s more to Wimbledon than strawberries and cream (come to think of it, that does sound like a tasty fruit beer). We Brought Beer invite you to discover another of Wimbledon’s gems, Wimbledon Brewery, who began life with a focus on cask beer. However, the brewery has extended its reach and now also offers their range in keg, can and bottle.
For this event, attendees will sample their wares via all four dispensing methods. Debates rage about which method reigns supreme, but everyone wins when the beer’s good. We Brought Beer Clapham Junction, 78 St Johns Hill, Battersea, SW11 1SP. Sep 14, 7pm–10pm.
Camden Town Brewery: Oktoberfest launch
While this isn’t strictly a tap takeover, Camden Town Brewery is going all out in unveiling its Oktoberfest lager in true German style – they couldn't even wait until October rolls around. The first keg, available at six pubs around London, is gratis to punters. But if you miss out on the opportunity, don’t get your lederhosen in a twist – the brewery is planning a tank party on October 1 where its new lager will be pouring straight from the source. Various locations across London on Sep 16, 7pm–10pm.
IntelligentX Brewing Company: UBREW takeover
So it’s finally happened – we’re using Artificial Intelligence to brew beer. IntelligentX Brewing Company has developed an algorithm that pinpoints the features of beer that appeal most to the drinking public’s palate.
It might sound a bit cold and calculated, but brewers aren’t entirely discarded in the process – feedback is merely processed through a machine to enable their recipes to ‘self-improve’. Why not head down to UBREW and contribute to the 'self-improvement' of the beer by tasting the full range? At least a machine won’t get surly when you critique flavour profiles. UBREW, 24 Old Jamaica Road, SE16 4AW. Sep 17, noon–3pm. RSVP here.
One Mile End tap takeover at The Rake
Here’s a brewery that’s going places – literally. They’ve just moved into brand-spanking new premises in Tottenham. A larger brewery means increased volume capacity, so you’ll be seeing their core range, which includes Salvation! Pale Ale and Snakecharmer IPA, in every good boozer soon.
Take this opportunity to acquaint yourself with their offerings at The Rake, where they will have a selection of their beers, along with a few of their brewers for a natter. Be warned: the Snakes Alive DIPA is a slippery brew – you won’t believe it carries an ABV of eight percent. The Rake, 14 Winchester Walk, Borough Market, SE1 9AG. Sep 21, 5pm-11pm.
Brixton Brewery: Brixton by Brixton
The Craft Beer Co. Brixton is celebrating its fourth birthday the only way it knows how – with a schedule of events revolving around local hop heroes Brixton Brewery. Throughout the weekend, Brixton’s beers will be flowing in abundance alongside a meet the brewer evening on September 29, delicious street food to keep imbibers fuelled, and DJs spinning until the wee hours. All you need to remember is the birthday cake. The Craft Beer Co. Brixton, 11-13 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PA. Sep 29–Oct 2, 4.30pm–10.30pm.
Read more of Rebecca's beery recommendations on her blog Brewing East, or follow her on Twitter @rpate.