The Grapevine

ANCHOR STEAM BEER

 Anchor Steam Beer owes its deep amber colour, thick, creamy head, and rich, distinctive flavour to a brewing process like none other.

It is a process that combines deep respect for brewing tradition with many decades of evolution to arrive at a unique approach: a blend of pale and caramel malts, fermentation with lager yeast at warmer ale temperatures in shallow open-air fermenters, and gentle carbonation in our cellars through an all-natural process called kräusening.

Anchor Steam Beer derives its unusual name from the 19th century when “steam” was a nickname for beer brewed on the West Coast of America under primitive conditions and without ice. While the origin of the name remains shrouded in mystery, it likely relates to the original practice of fermenting the beer on San Francisco’s rooftops in a cool climate. In lieu of ice, the foggy night air naturally cooled the fermenting beer, creating steam off the warm open pans. Once a nickname for any West Coast beer brewed under these conditions, today the name “steam” is a trademark of Anchor Brewing and applies only to the singular process and taste of their flagship brand - San Francisco’s original Anchor Steam Beer. The classic of American brewing tradition since 1896.

4.8% abv 

£4.75 per bottle

ANCHOR LIBERTY ALE

 The champagne-like bubbles, distinctive hop bouquet, and balanced character of Liberty Ale revives centuries-old ale brewing traditions that are now more relevant than ever. First introduced in 1975, Liberty Ale is brewed strictly according to traditional brewing methods, and uses only natural ingredients — pale malted barley, fresh whole-cone Cascade hops, a special top-fermenting yeast, and water.

The yeast used during fermentation produces many of Liberty Ale's subtle flavours and characteristics. A natural process called "bunging" creates gentle carbonation, and the practice of dry hopping (adding fresh hops to the brew during aging), revived by Anchor, creates its unique aroma.

Liberty Ale was first brewed to celebrate the bicentennial of Paul Revere’s historic ride. As the first modern American IPA brewed after prohibition and the first modern American single-hop ale and dry-hopped ale, Anchor’s Liberty Ale is the original craft brewed ale and the beer that started a revolution.

5.9% abv 

£5.25 per bottle

ANCHOR PORTER

 With deep black colour, a thick, creamy head, rich chocolate, toffee and coffee flavours, and full-bodied smoothness, Anchor Porter is the epitome of a handcrafted dark beer.

A blend of specially roasted pale, caramel, chocolate, and black malts, along with our top-fermenting yeast, creates complexity without bitterness. The brew is hopped at a high rate, and naturally carbonated. The result is dark in the glass, but surprisingly light on the palate.

Anchor Porter became the first modern American porter when it was introduced in 1972. As we celebrate its 40th anniversary, our porter continues to reward those who look beyond its intimidating appearance to discover its smooth, full-bodied drinkability. Anchor Porter is the definitive American Porter.

5.6% abv 

£5.75 per bottle

BROOKLYN BROWN ALE

 Brooklyn Brown Ale, made exclusively with American ingredients, was first brewed in 1990 as a holiday beer. 

Brooklyn Brown uses pale, crystal, chocolate, and black malts to attain a complex creamy texture. 

It is more heavily hopped than its British forbears. British Brown Ales originated in the north of England. They generally are rich and malty, though in America the bitterness of the hops is usually accented to balance the sweetness of the malt. 

Tawny brown in colour, with a big, roasty malt background, and firm hop bitterness. Notes of chocolate and coffee in the flavor and finish.

5.5% abv 

£4.95 per bottle

BROOKLYN BLACK CHOCOLATE STOUT

 Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout is the winter seasonal ale produced by Brewmaster Garrett Oliver. 

This highly sought after brew attains its strength by using the first runnings from two and a half mashes of grain. 

It is a classic Russian Imperial Stout, modeled on the beers made by British brewers for the Czar's Court in the Nineteenth Century. 

Velvety black in colour, with a dark chocolate and coffee aroma, a powerful warming palate and a long, malty, fruity finish. ”Chocolate Malt” refers to a roasting technique that yields those flavors that remind us of chocolate.

8.5% abv

£7.95 per bottle

FORDHAM TAVERN ALE

 Tavern Ale is an American Pale Ale.

The ‘Tavern’ is for all you no-nonsense ale lovers. This American Pale Ale’s hop profile is complimented with an ample amount of malt flavour. 

It’s cold conditioned on fresh whole leaf cascade hops creating an unmistakable citrus-like aroma. 

Brewed with 100% malted barley, Magnum & Cascade hops throughout.

Serve chilled or slightly chilled.

Food accompaniment: Pairs well with Thai cuisine, fried seafood, buffalo wings, burgers, Cheddar cheese, pumpkin flan, maple bread pudding.

6.1% abv

£5.95 per bottle

AFFLIGEM

 Affligem is an authentic Abbey beer and is highly praised by beer lovers.

The ales offer a selection of styles that reflect Belgium’s extraordinary beer heritage.

Affligem is one of only 22 official Abbey Ales.

Affligem Abbey was founded in 1074 as a Benedictine monk community and despite being plundered and burned to the ground 3 times it has survived throughout the centuries.

Affligem was the last of the Abbey ales to cease brewing on its own premises; production was transferred to an outside brewer in 1956. 

The beers are now brewed in nearby Opwijk to the original recipe, with royalties from the beer sales funding the Abbey’s charitable endeavours

The heritage of almost a thousand years lives on and the brewing methods devised by the venerable abbots are still applied with the greatest of care in accordance with the ‘Formula Antiqua Renovata’.

A respect for tradition, the use of pure, natural ingredients and a passion for brewing is seen in everything the Affligem Brewery does. The beers are rich in taste and delight the most discerning of palates.

This outstanding quality sees medals regularly awarded at the International Beer Challenge, World Beer Cup, European Beer Star and Brewing Industry International Awards.

AFFLIGEM BLOND

 Light gold colour.

Lively, welcoming nose with citrus and clove; a hoppy,  lemony ale with banana   and some spicy flavours.Dry with a light, bitter finish.

Suggested serving temperature: 8-10°C.

6.8% abv 

£4.95 per bottle

AFFLIGEM DUBBEL

 Reddish brown colour. 

Spicy aroma with hints of orange, banana and pear; dark malt with a raisin and molasses sweetness.

Smooth, lingering, mild taste.

Suggested serving temperature: 8-10°C.

6.8% abv 

£5.95 per bottle

AFFLIGEM TRIPEL

 Golden amber in colour.

Fragrant aroma of great complexity with plenty of hops and hints of citrus; fruity esters with a good carbonation.

Vibrant, strong, hoppy and dry finish.

Suggested serving temperature: 8-10°C.

9% abv 

£6.95 per bottle

PAUWEL KWAK

 Produced by the historic and multi award-winning Bosteels Brewery.

Kwak has a deep bright amber colour. 

It has a mellow and malty aroma with a slightly spicy character (think coriander and hops).

8.4% abv 

£5.95 per bottle

DUVEL

 Duvel may look like a lager but it is a top fermented beer, enjoyed at its best when served chilled and in its  own distinctive glass.

Thanks to the balance between a fine aroma and subtle bitterness, this beer occupies a unique position in the rich Belgian beer tradition.

8.5% abv 

£5.50

WESTMALLE DUBBEL

 Westmalle Dubbel is a dark, reddish-brown Trappist beer with a secondary fermentation in the bottle. The creamy head has the fragrance of special malt and leaves an attractive lace pattern in the glass. The flavour is rich and complex, herby and fruity with a fresh-bitter finish. It is a balanced quality beer with a soft feel in the mouth and a long, dry aftertaste.  

7% abv

£4.95 per bottle

MAREDSOUS RANGE

 A clean tasting, very drinkable beer it is the authentic beer of the Benedictine monks of the abbey of Maredsous, who approve every step of brewing these extraordinary ales, including cellaring for at least two months to fully develop the  complex flavours and aromas.

Maredsous ales have always been revered  for simple elegance  and velvety smoothness, with each style – Brune, Trippel and Blonde – known for its unique tastes, aromas and hue.

Blonde – 6% abv £4.95 Light hops, grains, grapes, yeast, dark fruits, spices, and apricots. 

Brune – 8% abv £5.95 Notes of bread and brown sugar sweetness and of course some dark fruits round out the nose.

Trippel – 10% abv £6.95 Fairly yeasty with  a slight nuttiness. Medium-bodied, yet crisp  and clean.

SCHNEIDER WEISSE

 Schneider Weisse is an unfiltered wheat beer, amber-mahogany in colour and pleasantly spicy;  on the tongue it is clean, full-bodied and well-balanced.

Nuances of ripe bananas, clove, nutmeg and nuts create the aroma. A full-bodied and sparkling beer with a harmonious finish.

5.4% abv 

£5.25

CHIMAY RED

 Take a bottle of Chimay, open it and immediately you will notice the beer is giving off subtle aromas. Best enjoyed when poured into its distinctive chalice glass, this is no ordinary beer, this is a Trappist beer of incomparable tradition.

Chimay Red is a dark brown colour with a  sweet, fruity aroma and nutty character.

“Here, in this heaven of peace and silence where since 1850 Trappist monks have dedicated their life to God, products are made which, in themselves, gladden the heart of man.”

7% abv 

£5.15