New Beer at Planet Wax, New Cross

Planet Wax, the record shop/bar at 318 New Cross Road has teamed up with brewers Deya to create their very own pale ale: 'Very Good Plus'. They had a launch event for it on Saturday 17th August.

They have the beer on tap as well as in cans and I can report that it is very refreshing pint that goes down well with the traditional Planet Wax diet of drum & bass and electro

BBNO - new brewery at Mordern Wharf

Out for a bike ride round the Greenwich peninsula last weekend we saw some people drinking at tables next to a warehouse on the riverside at Morden Wharf. So of course we stopped to investigate and had a quick drink - just one, hey we were cycling. 

The site is the new home for South London craft brewery BBNO (Brew by Numbers), moving from previous location in the Enid Street railways arches in Bermondsey - though their taproom will remain open there as well as their barrel store in Peckham. The new site in its early stages of development but  you can already choose from a wide range of beers and sit at tables inside or out. The brewery hosted the Riverside Beer Festival there last month.

Current opening hours - Thursdays and Fridays (3 pm - 10 pm); Saturdays (12 noon - 10 pm); Sundays (12 noon to 8 pm)

Villages Brewery birthday

Villages brewery in Deptford is three years old and celebrating this weekend with a party. Must admit my visit to the Villages taproom in Resolution Way last weekend was my first. The brewery/bar is in one of the railway arches there, and as well as serving their own brews they are hosting music sessions, quiz nights etc.

I was there for the visit of the Fowlers Molly Dancers who were touring Deptford drinking establishments - they have been practicing at Villages.

Brockley Brewery - 'brewed with love in SE4'

Brockley Brewery opened in March 2013 in a former builders' yard in Harcourt Road, SE4. They are now brewing three beers (Golden, Pale and Red Ales) which you can sample in local pubs such as the Royal Albert, the Ivy House, the Dog & Bell and Jam Circus. You can also pop into the brewery and buy some bottles from them direct - they are usually open on Saturdays between 10 am and 3 pm. Look out too for their open days when they give a short tour and explanation of the beer making process.

'Peace, love and understanding in Lewisham'

Wild Brockley chutney at last month's open day

Clarkshaws: Vegan Brewery in East Dulwich

Clarkshaws is 'a small independent microbrewery in East Dulwich. Our beers are created with a subtle blend of innovation, hard work, and the finest ingredients mixed with a dash of whimsy and serendipity, resulting in contemporary takes on classic British beer styles.We use only ingredients sourced from the UK, supporting local producers and reducing the 'beer miles' of all our products. Our process is designed to be vegetarian and we are London's first micro to produce all Vegetarian Society accredited products'.

When I was a vegan - sorry younger self I haven't lasted the course, though I do actually care for some animals now rather than just care about them in the abstract. I digress... when I first turned vegan, I didn't really know the ropes. In the back of a van heading off to some anarcho-punk squat gig I wondered why nobody wanted to share my cider. Then somebody took me aside and told me - it wasn't actually vegan or even vegetarian. I had no conception, and I guess most people don't, that drink may contain animal products. Fish products are routinely used to clear wine and beer, and some cider contains gelatin.

But yes in East Dulwich there is now a brewery that makes vegan beer and is Vegetarian Society approved. Seemingly approved by Southwark Vegans too, as on Sunday 29th September they are going to visit said brewery. You can tour the brewery any time between 12pm - 4pm complete with a beer sampling for £2.50 (includes a pint of beer).

The brewery is  at Unit 8, Tyrrell Trading Estate, Tyrrell Road, SE22 9NA.