9 Fresh New Craft Beers To Try This Week

At the time of writing, Wimbledon 2022 is still on, Cam Norrie is still in, and I’m about to tell you about the best craft beers you can buy this week.

The universe is probably trying to tell you something.

Let’s kick off with the new BBNo collabs and, in particular, the new pale ale brewed with Finback…

1. Brew by Numbers / Finback – 42 DDH Pale Ale: Citra & Mosaic

The big talking point this week was BBNo’s new collabs – and in particular the Finback collab 42 DDH Pale Ale: Citra & Mosaic.

This is a tropical DDH Pale Ale full of mango and peachy juiciness – and even though it’s basically impossible to find a great beer for less than £4 these days… this is just £3.95 a can.

The BBNO / Track collab 05 DDH IPA: Citra & Simcoe is from the same cloth, but stronger, more resinous and vinous.

Compare and contrast. There aren’t many of either left.

2. Verdant – Timing’s End NZ IPA

Hop kings Verdant also deserve some attention this week for their new Timing’s End NZ IPA – which is a showcase of those fruity New Zealand hops that always sing.

Grapes, gooseberries and lime shine from a bed of soft, creamy joy.

Verdant are one of the very best – which is why we’ve just loaded up on Sharks, 300 Laps, Lightbulb and a whole host of Verdant’s finest.

3. Azvex – Miniature Trees IPA

Now, Azvex have already made a name for themselves despite being… what… just a year old? But once you’ve tried their beers you’ll understand why – and the latest drop is another, delicious example.

Miniature Trees IPA is full of mango goodness thanks to galaxy, a little spice, and a big squeeze of lemon-lime atop the whole outstanding combo.

This is what you want when watching Wimbledon!

4. Beak Brewery – C’mon IPA

There’s more beautiful Beak just in too, in C’mon IPA and Sprawl IPA.

Just check out C’mon’s tasting notes: squishy raspberry, red currant and pine resin; tangerine, orange juice and pinot gris; pear, honeysuckle and heather honey.

Wow.

5. Vault City – POG (Passion Fruit Orange Guava)

And it’s the undisputed champions Vault City leading the helm once again with a quad-drop of sexiness…

You’ve got the outstanding DDH Hard Lemonade back in. Then there’s Raspberry Banana Pecan Lassi Gose – which could be a mess but which stands strong.

But it’s the Untappd sensation POG that takes top spot. Passionfruit. Orange. Guava. Sour.

This, beer fans, is made for summer.

6. Pressure Drop – Why Do You Always Do This Coconut Mango Sour

As a flavour combo, Pressure Drop’s Why Do You Always Do This Coconut Mango Sour kind of seems a bit safe… but make no mistake, this is a really, really, damn good beer.

The secret, obviously, is to smash up the sour mango then to add just the right amount of coconut – you need to taste it, but you don’t want it to dominate.

Here, Pressure Drop have the balance spot on.

Immense.

7. New Bristol – Lime & Raspberry Crumble Sour

My final sour recommendation this week is New Bristol Brewery’s Lime & Raspberry Crumble Sour.

Come on – how good does that sound already?!

This isn’t necessarily a bonkers, out-there, WTF-is-that?! kind of beer, which is sometimes exactly what you need – an interesting and exciting flavour combo that’s just lovely from the first sip to the last.

New Bristol Brewery are a rising gem. 

8. Brew York – Reese’s With A Spoon Peanut Butter & Chocolate Imperial Milk Stout

The big dog on the dark front this week is Brew York’s 12% Reese’s With A Spoon Peanut Butter & Chocolate Imperial Milk Stout.

This is exactly the kind of beer that Brew York do so well.

It’s a thick serving of desserty goodness!

9. Howling Hops – Coco Interchannel Toasted Coconut Stout

Howling Hops’ Coco Interchannel Toasted Coconut Stout dials down the ABV to 5.8%, so is much more session-friendly, but still comes with a wicked sweet flavour hit thanks to bags of toasted coconut.

Paired with the gooey chocolate, it’s a gloriously decadent match.

Plus…

Howling Hops sent us a twin pair of new hoppy numbers this week. My favourite is Another Matter Gluten Free Pale Ale. We have a keg on at our Brixton arch at the minute (we have a gluten free beers month on!), and ther beer’s popularity underlines its brilliance.

There’s a lot of new stuff from New Bristol Brewery just in too. My personal picks are The Boogie Below Milkshake IPA and Twice Upon A Time Double IPA. Not many DIPAs going this week, actually. Snap Twice up. 

That said, there is a lovely DIPA from Northern Monk just in. There’s a wheat beer from Verdant. There’s Hollywood Hunks California IPA from Pressure Drop, a twin hop drop from Dog’s Grandad, Brew York’s Dark Berry & Marshmallow Pastry Sour is ace, and this Passionfruit & Apricot Belgian Waffle Sour seems mad.

Finally, ending on the experimental side, Pressure Drop’s Project Seahorse is a Coconut New England IPA made with actual coconut… a proper piña colada of a beer. 

As always, I hope you get to try some of these immense new beers this week. Cheers & happy drinking!

Oli, Olly & Charlie
(The three people behind Craft Metropolis)