London can you wait?

Beer talks this weekend!

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London Vegan Beer Fest isn’t just a place where you drink, eat and have a fab time. You can also learn stuff.

I’m absolutely thrilled to announce Oliver Coningham as a very special guest at our event this Saturday July 12, 2016.

Oliver knows a lot about beer and enjoys sharing his expertise and passion for the good stuff with others. It is for these very reasons we have asked Oliver to host two information sessions during London Vegan Beer Fest.

Session one taking place at 1pm will suit beer know-it-alls and novices alike as Oliver runs the assembled drinkers through the A-to-Z of vegan beer. Why is vegan beer vegan? Why is beer sometimes not vegan? How is vegan beer made? You’ll find this talk fascinating and it will equip you with all the info you need to go forward in life as a vegan beer expert.

Session two at around 4pm is set to feature Oliver telling you everything you need to know about different varieties of beer. Don’t know how to tell a porter from a stout or an IPA from a lager? This session will have you feeling like a beer expert in no time. Your new party trick down the pub will be explaining the brewing process for every drink being poured within your vicinity.

Oliver’s talks will be taking place in the gorgeous Galley, a stunning dining room featuring Thames views from every position. Sip your beer as you listen to our expert talk and make sure you come armed with some questions to ask. Buy your London Vegan Beer Fest tickets now.

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Make sure you visit Oliver’s brand new beer and food pairing website called The Fork & Carrot. You’ll find reviews, event news and more. You can also follow Fork & Carrot on Facebook and Twitter.

You can see the full list of beers being served at London Vegan Beer Fest here and the full food menu here. Tickets are £5 in advance online or £8 on the day depending on available space.

RSVP and invite friends on the Facebook event page.

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German vegan in London

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I know I wrote about Bavarian Beerhouse and its vegan menu a little while back, but after visiting for myself a few nights ago I really wanted to sing its praises again.

This German bar with locations near Tower Hill and Old Street is maybe not where you’d expect to find plant-based cuisine. The non-vegan menu is all animal meat in different forms but surprisingly there are three vegan plates on the menu.

Check out what we got stuck into during our visit.

All I can do is think about these warm #vegan pretzels at Bavarian Beerhouse in London. I’m plotting a return trip!

A photo posted by Fat Gay Vegan (@fatgayvegan) on

Oh my. Get a look at this #vegan currywurst at Bavarian Beerhouse in #London. I’m in love!

A photo posted by Fat Gay Vegan (@fatgayvegan) on


Hey?! What do you think?

That currywurst changed my life for the better. I can’t stop thinking about it.

You can visit Bavarian Beerhouse online.

VBF-TWCover

Beer at London Vegan Beer Fest

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Each year at London Vegan Beer Fest we have at least a few attendees who attempt to taste all the beer on offer.

All I can say for anyone looking to achieve this feat in 2016 is good luck.

Look at the line up of beer from some of the most-celebrated craft brewers in the London area. Buy your £5 online tickets here and start your drinking plans now!

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Pressure Drop is a small, independent brewery operating out of a railway arch in Hackney. I am thrilled to have them represented at the event this year.

Wu Gang Chops The Tree 3.8%ABV (bottles) – foraged herb Hefeweisse – great with curry
Pale Fire 4.8%ABV (bottles) – fresh and tasty pale ale
Bosko 6.5%ABV (bottles) – sweet and hoppy IPA
Nanban Kanpai 6.5%ABV (bottles) – wheat IPA with yuzu, orange and grapefruit

Look who’s back! Moncada are one of the superstar breweries from London Vegan Beer Fest of years gone past and we have their beer again in 2016. You gotta try that Blonde.

Notting Hill Blonde 4.2%ABV (bottles) – light body/citrus and herbal hop aroma
Notting Hill Amber 4.7%ABV (bottles) – strong malt backbone & smooth caramel finish
Notting Hill Stout 5.0%ABV (bottles) – dark & velvety with defined roasted flavour

Beavertown is one of the most popular and loved indie breweries around so it makes perfect sense that their beer is at London Vegan Beer Fest on July 16. Stout in a can? Heaven!

Neck Oil 4.3%ABV (keg) – all day easy drinking IPA
Gamma Ray 5.4%ABV (cans) – juicy tropical with aromas of mango & grapefruit
Holy Cowbell 5.6%ABV (cans) – Indian stout style that is extra hoppy
Black Betty 7.4%ABV (cans) – Black India pale ale with aniseed tones
Smog Rocket 5.4%ABV (keg) – a smoked porter inspired by London smog

Orbit Brewery takes my two loves of music and beer to create a range of sonically-inspired brews that are brewed and bottled in SE17.

Neu Altbier 4.7%ABV (keg) – Malty, bitter, nutty & dry
Nico Köln Style Lager 4.8%ABV (bottles) – light, crisp & fragrant
Ivo Pale Ale 5.3%ABV (bottles) – elegant & aromatic
Peel Blonde Ale 4.3%ABV (bottles) – light bitter ale with lemons & peppery notes

Blast from the past! Five Points Brewery were at the very first London Vegan Beer Fest back in 2013. Their beer disappeared from our radar for a few years but now they are back in the mix. If you are new to this brewery, you will be blown away.

Pale 4.4%ABV (keg) – fresh, zesty & aromatic pale ale
Hook Island Red 6.0%ABV (bottles) – full bodied red rye ale bursting with flavour
IPA 7.1%ABV (cans) – lush & flavoursome IPA with tropical notes
Railway Porter 4.8%ABV (bottles) – classic London porter with hints of caramel & coffee
London Smoke 7.8%ABV (bottles) – Imperial Porter with smoked barley & wheat malts

This next brewery is an FGV favourite. Partizan from Bermondsey knocked our socks off last year so it was crucial that we saw their beer again in 2016.

Saison Raspberry & Lemon 4.0%ABV (bottles) – a summery beer where the name says it all
Pale Ale 5.8%ABV (bottles) – citrus aromas with sherbet & straw
X Ale 6.3%ABV (bottles) – malty chocolate taste with dark fruits
Indian Pale Ale 6.5%ABV (bottles) – classic IPA with dry aromas

Redchurch is an East London favourite only steps from Bethnal Green Underground. They serve up some of the most-loved brews on the eastside and I am thrilled to welcome their beers back to London Vegan Beer Fest in 2016. They are always a crowd favourite.

Paradise Pale Ale 3.7%ABV (bottles) – American style pale ale with intense hop character
Bethnal Pale Ale 5.5%ABV (bottles) – juicy fruit-packed pale ale with a huge hoppy nose
Hoxton Stout 5.9%ABV (bottles) – a deep black dry stout with complex malt flavours
Urban Farmhouse Saison 3.8%ABV (bottles) – seasonal packed packed with Summer aromas

Fourpure is a London-based family brewery with some of the tastiest drinks in the capital. A real favourite with vegans around the city.

Beartooth Brown Ale 5.3%ABV (cans) – flavours of caramel, chocolate & light coffee
Brewery Oatmeal Stout 5.1%ABV (cans) – fullbodied & creamy with chocolate & coffee aromas
Pils 4.7%ABV (keg) – dry crisp & refreshing with a spicy aroma
Session IPA 4.2%ABV (keg) – big & bold IPA with a powerful hit of hops
Flatiron American Red 4.7%ABV (keg) – malty & hoppy with notes of caramel & toffee

Savour Beer is a fabulous collection of beers designed to promote produce and produce farmers. It’s farmhouse brewing crashlanding in 2016 and it’s wonderful!

Saison 5.0%ABV (bottles) – floral, lemongrass & citrus notes
Blonde 5.8%ABV (bottles) – pine & floral notes with a biscuit sweetness
Dubbel 7.0%ABV (bottles) – burnt caramel & dark fruits with smooth maltiness
Sparkling Beer 10.5%ABV (bottles) – floral, spicy, rich & smooth

The Kernel Brewery is one of the true superstars of the local beer landscape. When you ask ‘what’s good?’ in a craft beer bar, the server often points you toward The Kernel.

Table beer 3.3%ABV (bottles) – fresh green vibrant aroma with citrus notes
Pale Ale 5.1%ABV (bottles) – premium hoppy pale ale
Indian Pale Ale 6.6%ABV (bottles) – dry & fruity with a refreshing dry finish
Export Indian Porter 6.5%ABV (bottles) – cocoa, roses & a hint of orange
1890 Export Stout 7.0%ABV (bottles) – huge dark taste with rum, raisin & smokey espresso

I adore that Howling Hops brew in an old Victorian warehouse in Hackney Wick, just as much as I adore their unique and delicious brews.

Bohemian Pils 4.6%ABV (bottles) – Pale, light & crisp Czech-style lager
Farmhouse Saison 5.5%ABV (bottles) – Seasonal Summer beer
Pale XX 5.0%ABV (bottles) – strong pale ale
IPA 7.2%ABV (bottles) – Gold IPA with fruity aromas

Good beers are brewed all over London, but something special is going on south of the Thames thanks to Brixton Brewery.

Reliance Pale Ale 4.2%ABV (bottles) – biscuit malt with pine & citrus aromas
Atlantic American Pale Ale 5.4%ABV (bottles) – bold bursts of citrus & tropical fruit
Effra Amber Ale 4.5%ABV (bottles) – zesty, dark & smooth
Windrush Stout 5.0%ABV (bottles) – rich, chocolatey & smooth

This is a London Vegan Beer Fest special announcement. New Zealand beer superstars Yeastie Boys are represented at our event in 2016!

Pot Kettle Black 6.0%ABV (bottles) – Porter described as ‘mindbendingly delicious’
Gunnamatta 6.5%ABV (bottles) – Earl Grey IPA with a bold floral nose

Phew! What a list.

There will also be bottles of cider plus a HUGE range of more mainstream vegan beers such as Peroni and Camden (kegs and cans!) should the mood take you! There is also a world exclusive keg beer to be announced just before the event, so stay tuned. Our lips are sealed.

Need something gluten-free to drink? We will have a few specialty bottles on the day. Ask the servers if you want one.

Not into beer or cider? The Old Ship W6 has a fantastic line up of vegan wine for the day. If you wanna get tipsy, we have got what you need.

Remember to plan your eating as well by checking out the mountains of food planned for the day.

Book your £5 (plus booking fee) ticket now or pay £8 on the day if we have space!

London comfort food spot closes

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I have been out of the UK for six months and during that time many new vegan opportunities have arisen. I have a list of things I need to try that opened while I was in Mexico.

Near the top of that list was Top Dog, the US-style hot dog diner in Soho with an amazing separate vegan menu.

Josh first wrote about it here.

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So, I rocked up today only to find the fast food joint closed! Peering through the windows, it looks as though it was shut down in a hurry as there were still boxes of food and kitchen equipment inside.

Josh reached out to the company today and got the following response:


Sad times. I didn’t get to try it!

Did you make it to Top Dog during its short lifetime? What did you think?

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Food at London Vegan Beer Fest

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The 4th annual London Vegan Beer Fest is racing closer and closer.

For many people, the main attraction is of course the wide range of beers available (list coming soon!) while others take the opportunity to catch up with old friends or even make new ones.

In 2016, I predict a brand new typer of punter at the event. The foodie.

Check out the INCREDIBLE menu that will be served on the day, tell me what you are most looking forward to at the event and buy your cheap online tickets here.

rainbow potato

First up is the extremely irresistible Rainbow Potato stand.

Everything is not only 100% vegan on the mini-deli showcase, it is also 100% gluten-free. You will be able to build your perfect meal by choosing from the options below:

Choose 1 of the following: Baked sweet potato – Pink fir potato – Maris Piper potato

Add 1 of the following: Guacamole – Traditional hummus with extra virgin olive oil – Ranch dressing by Follow Your Heart – Sriracha Vegenaise by Follow Your Heart – Extra virgin olive oil with salt & pepper

Choose a further 4 toppings: Spiced sweetcorn salad (with mango, chilli, coriander & pomegranate) – Spiralised courgettini (with mint, lime, cashew crush & red quinoa) – Beetroot (with basil, balsamic & black quinoa) – Spicy smashed cauliflower (with chickpea, chive & coconut cream) – Zingy ginger carrot salad (with rose petal harissa & pistachio nuts) – Roasted peppers (with garlic, fresh oregano & extra virgin olive oil) – Mozzarella shreds by Follow Your Heart – Cheddar shreds by Follow Your Heart

karma wrap

Next we have Karma Wrap. This stand will be serving warm rolled flour tortilla crammed with delicious ingredients.

Choices?

The Naughty Falafeller – homemade falafel, pickled cucumbers & carrots, hummus, marinated white cabbage, fresh mint, parsley and chilli.

Holy Moley Guacamole – braised black beans, Cheddar shreds by Follow Your Heart, jalapeño, plum vine tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, lime, tortilla chips, spicy guacamole, organic sprouts and red quinoa.

Brunch O’Clock – hot sausage, scrambled VeganEgg by Follow Your Heart, hash brown potato, chestnut mushrooms and brown sauce.

Marrakesh Sesh – roasted aubergines & peppers, garlic, cous cous, hummus, coriander spinach, pickled beets and Mozzarella shreds by Follow Your Heart.

burger bar

You can’t not have a Burger Bar at a beer festival, right?!

Check out the varieties on offer:

Mock duck burger – Royal kombu seaweed pesto, organic sprouts and Chinese cabbage

Smoked tofu burger – Cashew cream, ginger garlic, chilli, fresh coriander and rocket

Falafel burger – Hummus, fresh mint, baby gem lettuce, pickled carrot, sliced plum tomato

Beetroot and quinoa burger – Pickled cucumber, ranch dressing, baby mixed leaves and Cheddar shreds by Follow Your Heart

guilty pleasures

Imagine an FGV event without sweet treats? Yeah, right!

The Guilty Pleasures stand will be home to a stunning chocolate, sweet potato and date brownie as well as an amazing array of cupcakes and sorbets.

fruit stall

Last but not least, we have the Fruit Stall. This is where you will pick up Fruit Kebabs, Chilli roasted pineapple with Duppy Share Rum plus Strawberries with coconut cream.

Wow.

If you were at London Vegan Beer Fest last year, I’m sure you’ll agree this year’s food line up is a vast improvement on our set up in 2015. We now have multiple food stands, professional chefs who are used to cooking huge quantities of fresh food and a pub kitchen that is quickly becoming one of the most vegan-friendly in London.

In addition to all these wonderful vegan food stands outside, the entire pub is turning vegan for the day meaning attendees can order food inside or outside The Old Ship W6 safe in the knowledge that it is all plant-based.

Fine food, cold beer, wine, cider, live music, outdoor setting, beer info talks, river views, pet-friendly, family-friendly, gluten free options for food and drink…. I could go on and on.

Online tickets are just £5 plus 50p booking fee. Click here to book.

Tickets on the day will be £8.

You can RSVP and invite friends over on the Facebook event page.

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Temple of Seitan

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There is a new vegan food business in London that has me more than simply excited. I’m absolutely flipping my wig over this stuff!

Can you see that deep-fried, crunchy glory? Look at it!

Temple of Seitan is a street food endeavour that will turn even the most determined frown upside down.

There isn’t much more to say other than they make fried seitan. In fact, they make the best fried seitan I think I have ever encountered on the planet. I had a basket of the good stuff on Friday at the Just V Show and was so thoroughly blown away that I went back for another on Saturday.

You need to follow Temple of Seitan on Instagram to keep track of all the rad events they will be at in coming months.

I love Temple of Seitan and if you want to be happy, you will make them a part of your life. If you have no interest in being happy, forget I said anything and go back to looking at the slate-grey Victorian sky outside your double glazed window.

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All vegan chocolate afternoon tea

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Oh my!

New-to-London vegan café Buttercream Dreams is hosting an amazing afternoon tea event that you do not want to miss if you are in the capital on July 30, 2016.

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The All Vegan Chocolate Lovers’ Afternoon Tea is priced at £15. There will be four sittings across the afternoon and attendees will be treated to a range of treats plus drink choices all with a distinct chocolate angle.

Telling by how many people have expressed interest via the Facebook event page, I think it’s safe to say this afternoon tea will be booked solid.

You need to email Sales@buttercream-dreams.com or visit the store on Camden Road to book a spot.

Hurry!

VBF-TWCover

Veggie Pret staying open all summer

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A lot of vegans are happy with the selection of animal-free sandwiches on offer at the Veggie Pret pop up shop in Soho.

News sites have been busy telling the world how well the temporary store front has been doing financially and that the vegan options have been some of the best-selling menu items.

Well, it appears the vegetarian version of Pret a Manger is staying around a little bit longer than originally planned. The company announced today that the Broadwick Street vegetarian shop will be staying open throughout the entire summer.

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If you dig a little further into the Pret website, you will find this page dedicated to the animal welfare policies of the sandwich chain.

Now, my intention isn’t to start a shit storm over this but I find this greenwashing a little tough to swallow. Yes, I believe some people within the company are pushing for better treatment of animals and possibly some of the workers are vegan. But I don’t appreciate a corporation using terms like ‘happy cows, happy milk, moo’ when we all know how milk is produced.

Even if a cow gets to strut about a green field all day, she still needs to be forcibly inseminated to become pregnant on time every time in order to be a lucrative milk producer.

And then there are sections of their website on happy pigs who are deliriously ecstatic before being slaughtered for bacon. Or what about the farm bred fish or line caught tuna? Line caught means being flung onto the deck of a boat and then suffocating.

You can all come at me with ‘we should be grateful for what vegan stuff we get’ and ‘a no meat shop in Soho is incredible’ but I’m from the old-school train of thought that victories are hard won, not handed to us. I’m interested by the shop’s success, but I’m not about to allow the rest of the animal-suffering they engage in go unnoticed.

Pret have made this decision to keep this shop open because vegans are making them money. We get this same ‘know your food’ routine from places like Whole Foods Market and we need to realise that these changes are because campaigners have worked hard for decades, vegans make their consumer voices heard and groups such as The Vegan Society talk non-stop to businesses like Pret. 

Shop with them for their vegan options if you choose, but don’t let greenwashing campaigns like this stop you from asking for more plant-based food and less animal suffering. Say thank you for the vegan stuff if you want but follow it up with a ‘you can do more’.

Use your vegan clout. Pret are obviously taking notice.

Extra note: this is not an attempt to shame people who shop at Pret for their vegan options. I do it sometimes when I am in London. Rather it is a post to acknowledge the latest news regarding the vegetarian pop up while asking people to realise we don’t have to stop saying ‘more vegan’ whenever someone throws a plant-based bone our way.

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Jobs in London

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I truly appreciate the work carried out by Made in Hackney. The food justice charity is all about bringing vegan food knowledge, availability and expertise to people in low income, at risk and hard to reach situations.

If you haven’t heard about the project before, you need to get to their website to read about their outstanding work and book yourself in to one of their cooking classes. The money you pay will help Made in Hackney carry on with their vital support work.

If I have sold you on how fab they are, maybe you would also consider working with the group. There are currently two positions looking to be filled with Made in Hackney.

Here are the brief job descriptions lifted from the website.

1) Project Manager – Programmes

£28,000 pro rota – 28 hours/week (4 days)

This is an exciting role leading the key projects and operations at Made in Hackney. The successful candidate will work directly with two other Project Managers, a Project Coordinator (Public Health) a Finance Manager, a Venue Manager, freelance cookery teachers, apprentices and a large network of volunteers whom deliver Made In Hackney’s varied programme of cookery classes.

The ideal candidate will have experience working in a cross section of the social enterprise, charity and/or public sectors, as well as education and/or community health. They will be an experienced project manager, skilled at multi-tasking and will feel as comfortable presenting to a panel of Public Health professionals as getting stuck in with clearing out the compost bin or solving an IT problem. A detailed understanding of, and passion for the health and environmental issues underpinning Made In Hackney’s food policy (local, seasonal, organic, planet based) and mission is essential. Experience/knowledge of food growing and environmental issues preferred.

The experience of working at Made in Hackney is varied, unique and very rewarding.  There is no ‘typical’ day and we are looking for someone who is flexible to work out of the normal office working hours (for example at weekend market stalls etc.) There is plenty of room for the successful candidate to be creative and bring new ideas for developing existing programmes and activities.

2) Newly created vacancy for a Venue Manager 

£24,000 pro rota – 7 hours/week (1 day)

This is a newly created role responsible for organising the day to day kitchen venue and office space at Made in Hackney in Stoke Newington. The ideal candidate will have experience managing a community venue, project or kitchen, (eg. nursery, restaurant) taking client bookings and working in education and/or community health. They will be experienced project managers, skilled at multi-tasking and will feel as comfortable meeting potential new kitchen hire clients as getting stuck in with clearing out the compost bin or solving an IT problem.

The closing date for applying for these jobs is July 15, 2016. Click here to get more information on applying.

Yay for Made in Hackney!

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Gorgeous vegan cake in London

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UPDATE

It has been brought to my attention that this person supplied these photos to me without explaining they did not take them and that they were not even of vegan food. Follow up post coming soon!

END UPDATE

Oh my Gaga!

There is a new vegan sweet treats company starting up in London and you people have got to take a look at this goodness.

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Vegan Sweet Porn is a new pop market stall selling some of the finest-looking cake on the island. Can you even stand looking at that cookie shot glass?

You can follow Vegan Sweet Porn on Twitter and Instagram.

There is also some sort of major, super impressive launch party for these vegan cake heroes on July 10, 2016 so click here to get the lowdown.

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