vegan beer

Help vegan business

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Hey!

Doesn’t it make you feel like a happier person when you get a chance to help an independent vegan business?

Well, today you are going to be twice as delighted because two vegan businesses need your assistance.

First up:

Vegan brewhouse and all-round legendary company Brass Castle needs our help to buy a crowler.

What the fuck is a crowler? A crowler is a canning machine that allows beer to be canned fresh out of the tap.

Having a crowler will allow Brass Castle to sell takeout beer to customers at their taphouse, as well as package and send beer to customers around the UK.

At time of posting this story, the Brass Castle crowler campaign was 65% funded with 16 days remaining. Click on the photo above or here to pledge if you can afford it. They have vegan beer rewards!

Next:

The Spotless Leopard is a much-loved vegan food truck in Bristol and it needs our help to stay on the road.

Running a food business is tough work. Mentally, physically and financially. Profit margins are narrow, leaving not a lot of money spare for when emergencies crop up.

The Spotless Leopard has a batch of repairs that need seeing to if they want to stay viable and trading.

You can click on the photo above or here if you are able to push some money their way. They have great thank you rewards available if you are in the Bristol area. A small donation if you are nowhere near the city would of course be greatly appreciated, I’m sure.

There you have it.

Two opportunities to lend a helping hand to independent business.

Beer and food for charity

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If you are anywhere in the vicinity of Orpington this Saturday (July 30, 2016) you need to make time to get along to this wonderful event.

The Orpington Liberal Club is playing host to a fundraising night called Flap 4 F.R.I.E.N.D.S., with money going to F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Animal Rescue.

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The venue always has an amazing selection of quality vegan ales on offer and my friend Alternative Chef Steph sent me a preview of her special food menu for the night.

It includes:

Ponga Harvest Platter

BBQ jackfruit & smoky cheeze quesadillas
Chorizo & potato tortilla
Tomato salsa
Roasted padron peppers

Cheeze Taster Plate

Dragons Breath (chipotle chile cheddar)
Stilton style
Cheddar style

All served with freshly baked bread & home made green tomato chutney

Raw Cake Taster Plate

Bounty
Carrot with lemon cashew frosting
Ginger slice

All of that delicious sounding food is vegan as well as being gluten and refined sugar free.

On top of the wonderful food and drink being sold, the event will feature music and spoken word performances.

It will only cost you £5 on the door, you’ll have a fabulous night out and you will be helping F.R.I.E.N.D.S. carry on with their crucial work.

Get more details and RSVP on the Facebook event page.

By attending this event, you will be directly helping animals like Gary the goat (pictured below). If you are unable to attend this event but would like to support Gary and his friends, you can donate online.
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south of france cruise

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.

oliver collage

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.

VBF-TWCover

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!

Vegan and gluten free beer

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I’m hoping this beer gets some decent distribution and starts moving around the planet.

Vida Latina is a brand new Mexican beer made from agave that is both gluten-free and vegan. I picked up a few bottles in my local supermarket in Mexico City today for less than £2 per bottle.

Brand new beer made from agave by @vidalatinamx that is both #vegan and gluten free.

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

I get asked about gluten-free vegan beer all the time, so it is great to see a new brand on the market.

If you know of any vegan and gluten-free beer brands, please list them below so we can all get a taste. And let your local beer retailer know about Vida Latina and let’s see if we can get this Mexican vegan beer in your region/country.

You can follow Vida Latina on Twitter.

Extra note: This photo originally appeared on my Instagram feed.

VBF-TWCover

Vegan option in a German beer hall

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A friendly Twitter follower named Marie-Anne just gave me a tip that quite a few people will be interested in.

There is a Bavarian-styled pub and restaurant in London with vegan food on the menu. Check out these options:

NÜRNBERGER BRATVÜRST’L £5.90
Starter – Three grilled vegan sausages served with Sauerkraut and a pretzel

CURRYVURST MIT POMMES £7.90
Snack – Grilled sausage served with curry sauce and chips

BAVARIAN BEERHOUSE ‘VURSTPLATTE’ SPEZIAL £13.50
Main – Special Bavarian Beerhouse sausage platter: ‘BratVurst, spicy Merguez and ‘Wiener’ sausages served with Sauerkraut and chips

That grilled sausage dish with curry sauce and chips is the sort of thing I write poems about. It sounds incredible.

The staff at Bavarian Beerhouse certainly look the stereotypical part.

bavarian panel

You can visit Bavarian Beerhouse online and make plans to visit either their Tower Hill or Old Street location.

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UK brewery announces vegan label

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One of the fastest-growing beer companies in the UK has recently announced it will start labelling its vegan-suitable brews with The Vegan Society trademark.

To call BrewDog a runaway success would be a severe understatement. Since the business opened its first bar in 2010, it has expanded at breakneck speed and now has thirty retail outlets and bars across the UK.

Add another 14 international outlets to the mix and even more openings in the pipeline, it is clear that BrewDog has firmly established itself as boozy force with which to be reckoned. Heck, even the beer specialist on my street here in Mexico City stocks BrewDog!

It is exciting to see such a successful enterprise take veganism seriously and with BrewDog announcing it will start including The Vegan Society trademark on their bottles and tap handles, the job of compassionate drinkers and shoppers all over the world just got that little bit easier.

vegan brew dog

Click here to see if a BrewDog shop or bar is near you and look out for the newly-labelled bottles in supermarkets and beer retailers everywhere.

Now, if they could just get rid of the three non-vegan beers in their line-up (Jet Black Heart, Dogma and Electric India), I’d invest in their Equity for Punks scheme in a heartbeat.

Read about BrewDog labelling vegan beer here.

Follow BrewDog on Twitter and Instagram. Like BrewDog on Facebook.

Find out about The Vegan Society trademark here.

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Pie Baby is back!

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If you like vegan pies and beer, you had better move super fast. The last time Pie Baby put on a spread, the tickets scuttled out the door in no time at all.

Check out the details for this tasty London event.

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