London vegan news, reviews & events
Here is some excellent news to get you over those midweek blues.
Freedom Brewery is a fabulous producer of lager and beer operating out of Staffordshire, UK. They have been supplying drinkers with outstanding beverages since 1995 and all of their products are certified by the Vegan Society as suitable for a vegan diet. A little while ago, I published a short review of their lager and I have been enjoying this drink ever since I put that story out.
Now, here is the really good news…
Slip your pleather shoes on, grab your Oyster card and get to Brixton as soon as you can. Vegan baking superstar Ms. Cupcake is now tempting your cruelty-free taste buds with donuts. Get them while they’re hot.
If you recall my last post about Ms. Cupcake, you will already know about the staggering range of vegan cupcakes they produce. The bakery is the first of its kind in London and is fast becoming a favourite destination for their many loyal customers. The cupcakes are certainly delicious enough to warrant a visit, but now Ms. Cupcake offers even more treats to entice in the form of donuts.
One of the best things about living in the UK is the copious amounts of vegan crisps (potato chips) on offer. Wafer thin, crunchy potato is everywhere and the flavours available are increasing at an amazing rate.
The East Anglian Crisp Company has joined the party and is now supplying this FGV with Jackpots, some of the most delicious vegan crisps on the UK market.
Brighton is a shining star for vegans looking to brighten their lives with some cruelty-free dining. Unfortunately the shine has been dimmed a whole lot with the sad closing of a vegetarian supernova.
Red Veg was a fantastic idea. As a vegan I often longed for the type of fast food that is usually only sold by mass-murdering corporations. Red Veg took that concept of burger, fries and a drink and rescued the cow. They weren’t a completely vegan company, but they did have many tasty options suitable for vegans and their burgers couldn’t be beaten. I am hesitant to sing their praises too loudly as it will only make you (and me) miss them all the more.
There is such an incredible amount of history and character crammed into London, it is sometimes difficult for a visitor (or a local) to know where to start. Well, I know a place… a place called Bermondsey.
Bermondsey is a true gem in an international city already bursting with (crown) jewels. Situated only walking distance from the heart of the capital, the district enjoys a rich and diverse history encompassing crime, pop culture and royalty. You could probably unearth a story featuring all of these elements at once. Morrissey exploited the darkened underpasses of the suburb in his Last of the Famous International Playboys music video. Tragic reality TV celebrity Jade Goody hailed from Bermondsey and upon her death, the market square was inundated with floral tributes. Musical icon Tommy Steele lived here, as did disgraced ex-gay comedian Michael Barrymore.
Have I convinced you to visit Bermondsey yet? How about if I tell you there is a traditional pub on the river that serves vegan cider and has one of the best river views in London?
Flavoured syrup is a dietary staple, right? A fabulous range of products known as Sweetbird has got me thinking that very thought.
A little while ago I was contacted by a friendly human asking if I would be interested in sampling some of their vegan syrups. I hammered out a positive response as quickly as my fat, gay fingers could type. It surely would go against the natural order of the universe for me to decline. It is always lovely to be offered a gift, but I’m a whole lot happier when the gift turns out to be ample amounts of sweet liquids and powdery chocolate.
I love vegan food. I love vegan beer. I love roller derby. Cram these three things into a fun afternoon in London and I’m a fabulously-happy FGV.
A few weekends back, Josh and I went on a little journey to Bethnal Green in order to be part of a fantastic afternoon of roller derby hosted by the London Rockin’ Rollers. As the derby explosion grips the UK, the Rockin’ Rollers are busy carving their own chunk of the pie. In gorgeous York Hall on Old Ford Road, skaters battle it out on a wooden flat track as punters cheer on from the balcony seating or trackside. With vegan bottled beer on sale and a vegetarian eatery doors away, I could be forgiven
London is famous for many reasons and millions of people travel to the capital for theatre, fashion and historical relevance. Well, now you can add vegan cupcakes to that list as Ms Cupcake finally throws open her doors to the world.
If you like vegan sweets, the Ms Cupcake bakery on Coldharbour Lane, Brixton is a dream come to life. The store (opened officially today) is a wonderland of animal-free frosting, sugary sponges and sweet concoctions. I was overwhelmed on entering the store for the first time. Everywhere I looked I was confronted by a staggering amount of temptations. It took me a while to process I was standing in a real, honest-to-goodness vegan bakery. Let the eating begin.
Cider has been creeping up my list of loved libations lately, but it is true my heart belongs to beer.
I am often searching high and low to feed my desire for new, vegan beer that has yet to pass my lips. If you see a frenzied, chubby guy frantically picking up beer bottles and putting them down again, don’t be startled. It is probably just your friendly, neighbourhood FGV looking for a vegan certification symbol. It was during one of these recent expeditions at As Nature Intended in Ealing that I discovered two new beers to add to my drinking repertoire.
If you find yourself walking the streets of Hammersmith (it happens, yes?) with a rumble in your belly, take the time to visit the good folk of Bushwacker Wholefoods.
Bushwacker is a quaint, packed-to-the-rafters convenience store with a difference. This long-standing King Street resident has a focus on Fair Trade and organic fare. Their shelves are liberally stocked with a huge range of products, many of which are suitable for the discerning vegan shopper. From vitamins, hair care and toothpaste to sandwiches, organic soda and vegan ice cream, there is plenty of everything in store to ensure you drop a few Great British pounds during a visit.